Learn Travis Picking
Play the standard “Cannonball Rag” from start to finish. Authentic Chet Atkins and Merle Travis style fingerpicking in eight structured lessons.
- Structured Lessons
- TAB + Notation
- Lifetime Access
One Tune. Every Skill You Need.
The thumb drives the rhythm while the fingers carry the melody. That’s Travis picking. It sounds complicated, but it’s completely learnable, and this course shows you how, one layer at a time.
You’ll learn authentic Chet Atkins and Merle Travis style picking using one of the great songs in the tradition, “Cannonball Rag,” as your road map from start to finish. Common chord shapes, thumb rhythm, independence drills, the common Travis picking pattern, forward rolls and a classic turnaround, all tied directly to the tune.
What You’ll Learn
Build Real Travis Picking Skills
Authentic Technique
Fingerpicking rooted in the Chet Atkins and Merle Travis tradition. The real tone, feel and technique, not a watered down version.
A Rock-Solid Thumb
Lock in the steady, boom chick thumb rhythm. This drives everything.
Thumb and Finger Independence
Build genuine independence with downbeat and upbeat melody drills so the melody sings over the rhythm.
Pattern and Forward Rolls
The common Travis picking pattern, forward rolls, and a classic turnaround that make the style instantly recognizable.
Go-To Chord Shapes
The common chord shapes used in this style that make Travis picking easy.
A Complete Roadmap
Every lesson ties back to “Cannonball Rag,” with clear TAB, notation, and a backing track to practice and perform with.
Course Curriculum
The 8-Lesson Path to Cannonball Rag
- Course Overview
- Travis Picking Playlist: Hear the players that define the Travis style
- Thumbpick or No Thumbpick?
- 1. Common Chord Shapes in the Travis Picking Style
- 2. Boom Chick Rhythm With the Thumb
- 3. Thumb and Finger Independence Drill: Downbeat Melodies
- 4. Thumb and Finger Independence Drill: Upbeat Melodies
- 5. Common Travis Picking Pattern
- 6. Forward Rolls
- 7. Classic Turnaround
- 8. Putting It All Together: Full Tune
- TAB and Standard Notation
- Backing Track for Practice and Performance
What’s Included
Learn Travis Picking
- ✓ Eight step-by-step video lessons
- ✓ Clear TAB and standard notation
- ✓ Backing track to practice and perform with
- ✓ Full lifetime access
- ✓ Instant access on any device, including the mobile app
If you’ve been wanting to learn this style but didn’t know where to start, this is your path. Enroll now and build real Travis picking skills through a standard in this tradition.
Start Playing “Cannonball Rag” With Confidence