Acoustic Bootcamp: Travis Picking

In this section of the course, you'll experience Day 1 of the bootcamp. Here you'll find a replay of the live 'Meet & Greet' session with the educator and some special guests, learn more about the prep video lessons which were sourced from the artist's existing TrueFire course library, and check out some great Q&A with our host and the live Zoom audience.

Originally included in a live Zoom meeting that preceded all three Acoustic Guitar camps, Stephen Mougin gives us a quick overview of his itinerary for the week: Bluegrass Rhythm

Originally included in a live Zoom meeting that preceded all three Acoustic Guitar camps, Brooks Robertson gives us a quick overview of his itinerary for the week: Travis Picking

Originally included in a live Zoom meeting, Jeff and Stephen Mougin discuss the 10 A.M. Warm-ups.

Originally included in a live Zoom meeting, Jeff Scheetz goes over where to find and utilize the prep materials for the bootcamp.

One of the best things you could do to get introduced to the boom-chick style is to listen to some of the pioneers and masters of this guitar style: Mose Rager, Ike Everly, Merle Travis, Odell Martin, Doc Watson, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, Eddie Pennington, Bob Saxton, Doyle Dykes, Richard Smith, Buster B. Jones and Thom Bresh...to name a few! Spending some time listening to and watching these players will get you introduced to what is possible with the technique and where it came from.

As mentioned in this primer video, it's common to use a thumbpick and often fingernails or fingerpicks, however many players choose not use fingernails, fingerpicks or a thumbpick. I personally use a thumbpick and acrylic fingernails and would advise to try out several ways and see what works for you. 

As you get started with this style it is really important to have proper picking hand placement so that your thumb and fingers are out of each other's way and can work together. Having an efficient technique will in turn produce good tone, dynamics, speed, accuracy, and endurance. Be sure to spend some time with the video around 2:45 - applying the "45 degree angle pencil rule" which was shown to me by Buster B. Jones. Also notice that the knuckle near the midpoint of the thumb rarely ever bends to attack the string, rather the entire thumb and larger muscles attached to the palm all work together to play down through the string.

Alternating bass patterns come in three common variations: 6th string root, 5th string root, and 4th string root. It is very common to begin the alternating pattern on the string which the root of the chord is being played. The thumb plays even quarter notes on every beat of the measure. The key in boom-chick style is to always keep the thumb playing even quarter notes regardless of what the fingers are doing. Take some time to practice these three variations. One extra tip is to practice in front of the mirror to make sure your technique looks clean and that your patterns are correct.

Once you've got a grasp on the three alternating bass patterns you should try muting the bass strings with the palm of the picking hand - see the video around 7:00. Muting the bass strings is a common and characteristic technique that is essential to develop and refine in the boom-chick style. The next step is to bring the index, middle and ring fingers into the mix on the top three strings (these strings will typically not be muted). The difficulty at this stage for most players who are just starting out in this style is to keep the thumb alternating and playing consistent quarter notes. In order to eventually play tunes in this style, one must develop thumb and finger independence. Picking patterns are one of the very best ways to begin developing this type of independence between thumb and fingers.

As you continue to work with the picking patterns, take your time, get a pattern down first with one chord then apply it to an entire chord progression. After you feel comfortable playing all the picking patterns over a few simple chord progressions you're ready to move onto the Level 1 tune.