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Alternating Thumb Style, Patterns Summary

Summary of the *core* Alternating Thumb fingerpicking patterns.

Published: 21 Feb 2013 Updated: 11 Oct 2019 • Visits: 11 • Code: ULFP117r-CH-18

Category: Fingerpicking • Instrument: Ukulele • Subjects: Beginner • Intermediate • Advanced • Fingerpicking

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Alternating Thumb Style, Patterns Summary

Summary of the core Alternating Thumb patterns from the Alternating Thumb Fingerpicking for Ukulele book.

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At the heart of all fingerpicking patterns, whether you call it _Travis Picking_ or _Scruggs Style_ or banjo rolls - it's all just a different execution of specific rhythmic patterns in a particular style.

Here are the core fingerpicking patterns from my book Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style. These are the same patterns I use for all private students, regardless of the instrument.

After the foundation of the alternating thumb is established the fingerpicking patterns are organized into levels according the number of fingers involved with the alternating thumb. For the basic style it's the index ( i ) and middle ( m ) fingers only and the number of times within a pattern the finger is used.

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Alternating Thumb Style, Patterns Summary…

Guitar

Called "Travis Picking" on Banjo, the Alternating Thumbstyle techniques from this series of lessons and the Fingerpicking for Ukulele, Alternating Thumb Style can be applied to the guitar as well.

As the ukulele has only one set of four adjacent strings, the Guitar has three sets of four adjacent strings. This means the same principles are directly applicable to the guitar. And can be adapted to the guitar's adjacent string sets.

For Guitar the adjacent four strings sets are:

➀ ➁ ➂ ➃
➁ ➂ ➃ ➄
➂ ➃ ➄ ➅

Banjo

Called Scruggs Style on Banjo the Alternating Thumbstyle techniques from this series of lessons and the Fingerpicking for Ukulele, Alternating Thumb Style can be applied.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

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Modular Phonetic Rhythm by Chuck Anderson

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.

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UKEFP01v2

Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 2nd Edition

Updated: 14 Nov 2024

Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 2nd Edition is an new expanded edition which focuses on the alternating thumb fingerpicking style through a series of graduated lessons-chapters incorporating your index and middle fingers with the alternating thumb.

MPRS-FW1

Modular Phonetic Rhythm, The Foundation and Workbook 1

Updated: 08 Dec 2021

Modular Phonetic Rhythm represents a significant advance in the teaching and application of rhythm. Eliminating many inefficient aspects of rhythm education, Modular Phonetic Rhythm streamlines the traditional educational approach, resulting in a reflexive reaction to rhythm.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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