Travis Finger Picking Pattern 1 - D minor / F Major
This lessons continues on the Travis Finger Picking Pattern 1 established in the last lesson.
The picking pattern is the exact same as with C and A minor but on the first four strings instead.
Lesson Info
Lesson Length: 6:14
Instructor: George Goodman
Concepts:
* Four Note Picking Pattern
* Downbeats played with the thumb
* Offbeats played with fingers
Help File
Gear Used
Takamine EG541SC
I am playing my black tak in this one.
This is a Takamine G Series EG541SC bought in North Carolina when I was playing in a band called Double Take.
Specs:
Top - Solid Spruce
Back - Nato
Sides - Nato
Finger Board - Rosewood
Electronics - TK40
Finish - Gloss Black
Check out more Takamine G Series Guitars
Syncopated Finger Picking
Travis Style Pattern 1 - Dm
This pattern uses strings 4, 3, 2 and 1.
Start by fretting D Minor with the left hand.
On the right hand, the thumb alternates between strings 4 and 3 on the down beats. Practice that until it's comfortable. Again, you should sing the root note as you go.
In this pattern, your first finger will be used to play the second string and your second finger will be used to play the first string.
Add your second finger on the first string with the thumb on beat 1 and practice that counting out the beats while you're playing.
Next, on the second half of beat two play the second string with your first finger.
Next step, on the second half of the third beat, play the first string with your second finger.
Final step, on the & of 4, play the second string with your first finger.
String Naming
41 3 2 4 1 3 2
Pattern 1 - F Major
This same pattern works well with the simple four note F Major chord.
Just change the chord with your left hand. Keep the right hand fingers doing the exact same thing as with D minor.
Practice that until you establish some comfort
Alternate Between D Minor and F Major
So now let's slowly practice finger picking alternating between D minor and F Major.
Things To Work On
If you can't play it slow, you can't play it fast.
Start slowly and build up speed.
Hopefully, now that you've been practicing the finger picking pattern in C Major, you will pick up on this pattern more quickly. Keep going and you'll get it.
Ear Training
Keep practicing singing the root notes.
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Hey George
I really appreciate your lessons as I find the guitar frustrating to play as a beginner sometimes but your lessons are really helping me.
Thanks
Gary
Hi Gary. That’s great to hear. Keep practicing and try not to get frustrated. There’s no pressure, just what you put on yourself. Have fun.