Lesson Length: 6:04

Instructor: George Goodman

Concepts:
* Four Note Picking Pattern
* Downbeats played with the thumb
* Offbeats played with fingers

George Goodman's Guitar and Harmonica Method

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

Travis Style Picking Pattern 1 - E Minor

This pattern uses strings 6, 4, 3 and 2.
Start by fretting E Minor with the left hand.
On the right hand, the thumb alternates between strings 6 and 4 on the down beats. So the trick here is to skip over the fifth string.
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 third string and your second finger will be used to play the second string.

Add your second finger on the second 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 third string with your first finger.

Next step, on the second half of the third beat, play the second string with your second finger.

Final step, on the & of 4, play the third string with your first finger.

String Naming
62 4 3 6 2 4 3

Pattern 1 - G Major

Now form G Major with the left hand fingers and keep the picking pattern the exact same.

Alternate Between E Minor and G Major
Next step is to alternate between E minor and G Major playing four bars on each chord.

Things To Work On
Skipping over the fifth string can be tricky but even if you do pick the 5th instead of string 6 or 4, it would still sound good. I'm going to introduce string 5 in
Ear Training
Keep practicing singing the root notes.