Travis pick help

[jasbo49]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Jim, Google tells me that the “b” = bend the note.

David

Thanks, David. It didn't occur to me that a measure would begin with a pinch/bend.

Jim

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Jon, very helpful perspective which I will practice. Obliged for your effort. Sorry, but what does the "b" designation in the first column of the tab mean?

"bend", as you've now been informed. Sorry not to get back sooner!

It's actually a syncopated note too - played just before the beat, and bent up and released before picking again. About 0:05 in this recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw2Dn9a8sQ4

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

PS: I checked out Mark Hanson's site and will get his book. He wears a really cool Panama. Would that help?

Definitely! Any kind of visual distraction to stop an audience noticing your bum notes! It's called "showmanship"

[Glennwillow]

In addition to the other resources, just last week I put up a new video on the Travis Pick using Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice." It may be helpful to you.



Best of luck!

- Glenn

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Try a basic version of "Freight Train". "Windy and Warm" is a bit more rhythmically challenging.

Like giving a new driver the keys to a Ferrari Daytona.

[JERZEY]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Friends,
I have just started Travis picking and would appreciate any suggestions drilling the 6-4-5 string patter into my brain. Naturally, I can do it rhythmically when there is no melody on top that needs to be superimposed. I am working on the first bar of Windy and Warm, for example. Interesting how the thumb goes astray when laying the single notes on top, especially when syncopated, like the upbeat of 3. Thanks for the help all.
David

Ignore the thumb independence nay-sayers. Its a very real thing. Break out the bass lines and nail them down. Then work the melody over top of it. I found its a lot easier to build thumb independence this way. The result in time is a much more refined result. Look at Richard Smith and all the greats. They all give the same advice more or less. If you continue to pinch you will continue to train your brain that way and it becomes harder to un-train that habit.

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by JERZEY

If you continue to pinch you will continue to train your brain that way and it becomes harder to un-train that habit.

OP here. Obliged for your thoughts, but what does this mean?
David

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by JonPR

Definitely! Any kind of visual distraction to stop an audience noticing your bum notes! It's called "showmanship"

Cool. Two Panama's on order.
David

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

Cool. Two Panama's on order.
David

Yes! Wear them both at the same time! Or swap them for alternate tunes!

Anything to get people talking about you....

But whatever you do, never take the hat off, at least in any public music context. It has to become part of your identity.
You can, of course, take it off to go out at other times - that's like being incognito, like the old trick of wearing sunglasses. People will see you in the street and say "Hey isn't that Deliberate1 over there?" "Nah, can't be, he isn't wearing his two hats".

[JERZEY]

Originally Posted by Deliberate1

OP here. Obliged for your thoughts, but what does this mean?
David

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2ODiNUhac

[tbirdman]

I took a class this fall in Travis Picking. For me I have an app from 4 chord that has over 2000 songs with backing tracks. The app also allows you to slow down the song. I started at 40 beats per minute and gradually increased my speed. Of course some songs were harder than others, so I played them more. Today I can play up to 200 bpm songs with a three line bass, pinch outside in pattern. I do have trouble with melodies as sings like Freight Train sound more like a train wreck. But it is amazing how muscle memory takes over and I can play without looking at either hand. BTW I’ve been playing since April but I do practice twice a day.

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by JonPR

Yes! Wear them both at the same time! Or swap them for alternate tunes!

Anything to get people talking about you....

But whatever you do, never take the hat off, at least in any public music context. It has to become part of your identity.

Actually, I once had a mustache like that. It was like having a guinea pig living under my nose. I once traveled to the Middle East when it was in full bloom. They loved me. Only later did I learn that the size of the mustache....
But a hat is easier, does not get caught between your front teeth (usually), does not collect yogurt and is capable of incognito mode.
Cheers.
David

[Deliberate1]

Originally Posted by JERZEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm2ODiNUhac

Sigh.....

David