Merle Travis Fingerstyle Ukulele Tutorial – Chord Inversions – TAB on Screen

fingerstyle tutorial ukulele Feb 11, 2026

Master the Merle Travis Fingerstyle Ukulele Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to add a legendary flair to your ukulele playing? Today, we are diving into Travis picking, a fingerstyle technique named after the iconic guitar player Merle Travis, who made this alternating style world-famous. While many variations of this style exist, the authentic Merle Travis approach is unique because it relies almost exclusively on just two fingers: the thumb and the index finger.

In this guide, we’ll break down the pattern used in the song "Sunny’s Jubilee" and explore how to move that pattern across the neck using cool chord inversions.

The Secret to the Travis Picking Sound

The heart of Travis picking is the alternating bassline. While you can play this on any ukulele, using a wound low G string is highly recommended. This setup provides the deep, "bassy" sound that the style is known for, though you can still practice the pattern on a standard high G ukulele.

Historically, Merle Travis used a thumb pick to get a sharp, distinct sound, but for our purposes, you can achieve great results using just your natural thumb and index finger.

Step 1: Mastering the Fingerstyle Pattern

To start, grab your A chord. The pattern is a specific sequence of "pinches" and individual notes:

The Pinch: Start by pinching strings four and one simultaneously using your thumb and index finger.
The Sequence:
- Move your thumb to the third string.
- Pluck the first string with your index finger.
- Move your thumb back to the fourth string.
- Pluck the first string again with your index finger.
- Move your thumb down to the second string.
- Finish with the first string using your index finger.

Pro Tip: Start slow. This technique is all about precision before you worry about speed. Once you are comfortable, you can loop this pattern to build muscle memory.

Step 2: Exploring Chord Inversions Up the Neck

One of the best ways to make your playing sound more professional is to move your patterns up the fretboard using chord inversions. In this exercise, we keep the fingerpicking pattern exactly the same but change the chord shapes:

Measure 1: Play the pattern on a standard A chord.
Measure 2: Move to an A7 inversion at the second fret.
Measure 3: Slide up to the next A7 inversion at the fifth fret.
Measure 4: Slide up further to the A7 inversion at the ninth fret.
The Finish: End on a crisp, classic A chord to resolve the sound.

Take Your Playing to the Next Level

This exercise is actually the intro to a song called "Sonny’s Jubilee," a piece specifically written for members of the Uke Like The Pros community. As you get more comfortable with the movement, try speeding it up; the faster tempo brings out the rhythmic energy that makes Travis picking so exciting to hear.

For those looking to add even more flair, advanced techniques like harp harmonics can be layered over these inversions to create a truly professional sound.

Ready for more?