A further exploration of the Travis style of fingerpicking. This tune uses the ‘alternating thumb’ throughout most of the piece, but the fingers deviate a lot from the typical patterns we have been using so far.

I first heard this tune played by Doc Watson and his son Merle. (Listen HERE.)

I worked out a solo guitar arrangement based on that version, and played it many times both on my own, and with piano accompaniment from Kieran Quinn.

Here’s another solo guitar version that’s closer to the original John D. Loudermilk arrangement. I’ve played two versions of this – one full speed, and one slower. Videos for both below.

Doc & Merle played their version on Capo 3, the transcription I used calls for Capo 2, but I played both videos without a capo (because I’ve been playing it that way for years!) Feel free to experiment with capo positions after you’re comfortable playing the tune.

Tablature available HERE.

Slow version (120bpm):

Full speed version (approx 148bpm):