How To: Use a Merle Travis-style picking pattern

Because of its portability, the acoustic guitar can be wonderful songwriting device. However, having a pocket symphony in your head–or pocket, as it were–does you little good if your hands aren't on board. Fortunately, YouTube user Sawlon is here to help you train your head and hands with his series of free video guitar lessons. In this installment, you'll learn how to play acoustic guitar with a Merle Travis fingerpicking pattern employed in songs like "Landslide," Dust in the Wind," "Helplessly Hoping" and "The Painter." Remember, the more you practice and the more theory you know, the better you'll sound and the better able you'll be to play what you hear. To get started Travis picking on your own guitar, take a look!