Blitzing Fingerstyle Sessions 4, 5 and 6: Fundamentals and fingerpicking open chords

BLOCK 2 – CLASSIC FINGERPICKING STYLES

Lesson 4 – Travis Picking 

1. Thumb independence revisited – Travis picking. We will look at the standard 1, 4, 5 walking bass pattern developed Merle Travis that became known as Travis picking. Travis adapted this style, which he sometimes called “thumb picking,” to achieve a sound that mimicked a stride piano with a steady alternating bass and syncopated melody.
2. Daily practice exercise(s): five patterns which include, block triads and individual notes, alternating fingers and a basic chord sequence
3. Songs: We will look at three songs, Amazing Grace so that we can try a chord sequence in 3/4, Freight Train so that we can do melody and chords combined, and The Boxer, so that we cover an accompaniment chord sequence with pass notes.

Lesson 5 – Acoustic Blues

1. We will have a quick revision of a 12 bar form, the most useful barre chord shapes, dominant chords and caged triad shapes. This knowledge will allow you to take what we practice in the session and transpose the exercises into multiple key signatures. A home practice grid for the different keys will be supplied after the event.
2. Daily practice exercise(s) to include the following – a) The shuffle rhythm using the thumb and palm muting. B) Partial chord shapes and CAGED triads to create the harmony as well as pick out the melody C) The walking bass line D) Intro, turn around and outro lick ideas
3.  Piece: We’ve created a bespoke instrumental piece, based on some of the ideas in Eric Clapton’s acoustic version of Before you accuse me that combines all the above exercises.
   

Lesson 6 – Putting it all together: getting Groovy

1. Percussive elements will be added – break down the bar like a drummer and rebuild your parts so that the picking hand is doing two or three things at once
2. Mix in double stops, slides, palm muting and syncopated rhythms
3. Play some iconic acoustic songs that highlight the above techniques
4. Daily practice exercise(s): scales as double stops
5. Songs include Eva Cassidy’s Wade In The Water, Fleetwood Mac’s Rhiannon and John Mayers Slow Dancing In A Burning Room

Who’s Block 2 For?

Block 2 is ideal for low intermediate players upwards. High beginners are also welcome, although it will definitely push some people as we are starting to look at more involved techniques. But remember you have the complete lesson recordings, you can work through everything at your own pace and revisit more challenging sections whenever you like.

You should ideally be comfortable with:

• Open chords and changing between them
• Basic Barre Chords are useful but not essential until session 6
• Basic fretboard knowledge
• Reading guitar TAB, including basic rhythm
• Some experience playing melodies

You don’t need to read standard music notation or have an advanced knowledge of theory.

What’s Included?

Originally recorded as one of our live online classes, this course includes the complete Zoom lesson recording together with all accompanying lesson materials. The video retains the informal, interactive feel of the original session and allows you to pause, rewind and work through everything at your own pace.

Purchase Options

• Buy the block for £36
• Purchase individual lessons for £15 each. 

Check The Whole Series

Important Information

Once your payment is confirmed, we’ll email your lesson materials and private video links as soon as possible.

The lesson PDFs and video recordings are for your personal use only. Please don’t share the materials, links or recordings with others or post them online.