Meditative Fingerpicking Tutorial for Guitar (2-Finger Travis Pick)

Fingerpicking on the guitar sounds (and looks) harder than it is. If you're willing to take a few minutes to get each component, putting it all together takes very little time. You can do it!
This is the two-finger Travis Pick, based on the style of legendary guitar player/singer/songwriter Merle Travis (1917--1983). I believe Travis usually used 2 fingers, but it is easy (and fun) to add another finger (or two).

I have a similar tutorial for another fingerpicking pattern here:

0:00 Intro
0:22 Left hand
0:1:15 Step 1--Thumb
0:3:45 Step 2--Index Finger G String
0:5:51 Step 3--Index Finger B String
0:10:12 Bonus--Double G's

[stuartcook]

OMG, where have you been all my life? I have learnt so much in such a short time. I'm 71 years old and now I may be able to play the Guitar, Cheers my friend. Stuart from the UK.

[djsperry]

I’m 71, frustrated fingerpicker stuck on one pattern. This is huge! Watched some of your scales videos and it all clicked. Other folks just make my eyes glaze over! You’re not in a studio showing off with your fancy equipment. You just give. We need you, man!

[JimiJo]

How have you only got 11k subscribers, this is easily the best tutorial I’ve seen on fingerpicking! I mean two fingers even my little brain can manage that…

[josetalavera]

Excellent, finally a YouTube guitar guru with the patients required to demonstrate at a rate that guitar learners need to see and emulate. You sir are a valuable resource. I didn't realize how helpful your video was until I came back to it and followed you carefully. THANK YOU

[Sydney.Knight]

Please make more videos. You have a talent for teaching. This was so relaxing. If you did a whole series of meditative finger-picking exercises, I'd watch them all.

[rickmoore]

Thank you for taking time with us. I'm 75 years old and enjoyed your instruction. Please keep this no rush approach.

[mrcanarsie]

I've been trying to learn fingerpicking online for 10 months but this is the first video that made sense to me

[DaleBrown-sjhj]

Always wanted to play The Boxer and The Early Morning Rain The way they should be played. Been playing for 60 years. Thanks to you . I can do it now😊

[brendajeannewyche]

It’s the suggestion of “relaxing” for ME. You make me WANT to practice it. I just want to sit & relax & practice this two finger picking pattern. The power of suggestion is magic. Excellent lesson. Thank you so much!❤️❤️❤️😁

[samgee]

I watch so many tutorials and usually there’s too much/not enough of certain key elements; excruciatingly long intro; uncomfortable pace, etc., etc. Not this one! It’s just…perfect. I REALLY appreciate your teaching style. You make learning fun and easy. Very relaxing and engaging personality. I “Liked” and subscribed immediately. I’ll be back for more. Thank you so much!

[rubencortez]

I've been learning to play guitar for a year and a half. Getting lessons from YouTube. I have to say, this video is the best I seen. Your very clear, you make it simple. I got it. Thank you.
Merry Christmas 2023

[the_algorithm]

For 30+ years I've never gotten figer style down.
I mainly play metal and always admired finger style, but could never get my fingers to coordinate
In the short time of this video I made more progress than I have in 30 years...
I will obviously keep coming back every day to this until it is 2nd nature, but I'm so impressed and happy right now

[dianesalinas]

You, sir, are a Godsend! Teacher
A Non-guitarist/Percussion Dreamer's Gift!

[LisaGaylordFitnessProgram]

LOVE your teaching style! Seeing your fingers and the notes on screen. I’m YouTube taught at 60 and you make it so enjoyable.

[aslamahmed]

I have just started practicing my ever first guitar at the age of 62 which I bought about two weeks ago. Watching your channel and your method of teaching I appreciated very much. It never to late to learn an instrument, in order your mind and soul alive. I am having fun by your tutorial method. Many thanks.

[laurennewman]

I usually don't ever leave comments, but I felt like I really had to show my appreciation for this video! learning guitar has been really frustrating for me. oftentimes the videos I watch go too fast or don't explain things well enough, however this wasn't the case for me in this video! I really enjoy your teaching style and I feel like this was really beginner friendly as well. I believe this could be a good exercise as well just to practice picking. this taught me alot and was very soothing and relaxing, I subscribed and will be watching more videos!

[BM]

Thank you for such an enlightening, encouraging and informative finger picking lesson. I admit that it took a couple of day’s trying to get my 70 y/o brain to coordinate with my right hand, but after more than a few rewinds of your patient video I am extremely pleased with my progress. I will admit that my left hand fingertips are suffering, but I couldn’t be happier.

[numerozero]

I accidentally found your channel and I'm so grateful that I did. I'm on my way to plat the Travis pick. Thank you so much ❤ from Australia 🇦🇺

[DouglasArringtonMusic]

That was the best guitar lesson I have ever come across!!Well done.
you moved slow and thougtfully
you articlated and spoke very clearly
you made the chord and picking shapes soooo much easier to see
you lingered

[Fishingishard]

Love how you took it real slow and calmly. Lots of times lessons are stressful but your method helped me understand it with low pressure and just feeling for it. Thanks!