Open chords to Travis picking

[sloar]

I’m new to music so I apologize if this is a stupid question. I was messing around with an easy open chord strumming song and I switched the strums to Travis picking. Changing the base notes on the appropriate chords. Is this the basics on how people arrange songs to fingerstyle? If so what else could I include with just open chord fingerstyle? Now keep in mind I’m very close to knowing zero about music. Thanks.

[stanron]

Originally Posted by sloar

Is this the basics on how people arrange songs to fingerstyle? If so what else could I include with just open chord fingerstyle?

Yes. You could try hammer ons and pull offs to and from notes in the chords and bass note runs between chords as well.

[agfsteve]

I posted this same link in a different thread, but Justin Sandercoe has a series of lessons on fingerstyle, and it looks like he focuses a lot on open chords:

https://www.justinguitar.com/modules/folk-fingerstyle

[TBman]

Originally Posted by sloar

I’m new to music so I apologize if this is a stupid question. I was messing around with an easy open chord strumming song and I switched the strums to Travis picking. Changing the base notes on the appropriate chords. Is this the basics on how people arrange songs to fingerstyle? If so what else could I include with just open chord fingerstyle? Now keep in mind I’m very close to knowing zero about music. Thanks.

That's really more "finger picking" than "finger style," but its a great way to start.

To me there is a difference, but others may not agree.

A ton of us learned finger style by starting with Travis Picking. It's the gateway to finger style. You can do a heck of a lot with Travis Picking though and never really go on to finger style and it doesn't matter as long as you're enjoying yourself.

[sloar]

Originally Posted by TBman

That's really more "finger picking" than "finger style," but its a great way to start.

To me there is a difference, but others may not agree.

A ton of us learned finger style by starting with Travis Picking. It's the gateway to finger style. You can do a heck of a lot with Travis Picking though and never really go on to finger style and it doesn't matter as long as you're enjoying yourself.

Can you please explain the difference? I feel this is the path I’m heading down, I don’t really enjoy strumming. I rarely use a pick and I’m really starting to enjoy fingerpicking and want to learn more. Thanks

[TBman]

Originally Posted by sloar

Can you please explain the difference? I feel this is the path I’m heading down, I don’t really enjoy strumming. I rarely use a pick and I’m really starting to enjoy fingerpicking and want to learn more. Thanks

Travis Picking, in its simpliest form is an alternating bass played by the thumb. For example the thumb would play the following strings 6, 4, 6, 5, 6, 4, 6, 5 etc. while the fingers would play melody lines at the same time and in between.

Finger style is more like the following where the thumb is just playing whatever notes fall on strings 6, 5 and 4 as the music score indicates:

[sloar]

Thank you!

[TBman]

Originally Posted by sloar

Thank you!

You're welcome! Do you have the 2 Travis Picking books by Mark Hanson?

[sloar]

Originally Posted by TBman

You're welcome! Do you have the 2 Travis Picking books by Mark Hanson?

No but I’ll check them out. I basically learned from Dust in The Wind. I’m able to play that in my sleep. Eddie Vedder, which I love, plays Travis picking in several songs that I’ve learned. I also love the fingerstyle of the musician that does LetsPlayGuitar. I’ve learned several songs from him, songs I’ve never heard of before but sound incredible.

[Mr. Jelly]

You might take a quick look at Carter style picking as well. It's a precursor to Travis picking. That will fill in the start of your education as in starting at the beginning and it won't take long to understand it.

[sloar]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

You might take a quick look at Carter style picking as well. It's a precursor to Travis picking. That will fill in the start of your education as in starting at the beginning and it won't take long to understand it.

Thank you!