Pattern picking is the use of "preset right-hand pattern^*" while fingerpicking on a guitar (the left hand voicing traditional chords). (Traum 1974, p.12)

The most common pattern, sometimes named Travis picking after Merle Travis, who pioneered this style, is as follows (ibid): M I T M T I T M I T M T I T T T

The thumb (T) alternates between bass notes, often on two different strings, while the index (I) and middle (M) fingers alternate between two treble notes, usually on two different strings, most often the second and first. Using this pattern on a C major chord is as follows in notation and tablature (ibid):

Source

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See also

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A lesson on Travis picking by Merle Travis's son Thom Bresh //www.guitarplayer.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=13507

Guitar performance techniques