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UPDATED:
23 August 2025
Alternating Thumb Fingerpicking on Ukulele

Published: 01 Jan 2003 Updated: 01 Jan 2003Visits: 52Code: ULFP117

This is the common alternating thumb and two finger strumming style utilizing the thumb, index and middle fingers. Commonly called β€œTravis” picking in the guitar world. This series of lessons explores and adapts this style to ukulele. Travis Picking is a finger-style made famous by Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. This style is commonly played on steel string acoustic guitars. You'll find this series of lessons to be the most complete, comprenhesive and organized series of lessons offered anywhere - GUARANTEED.

With a guarantee of being the most comprehensive, organized, and complete series of lessons available, you'll discover a valuable resource for learning this technique on the ukulele.

Nail Care Tips

When it comes to playing the ukulele with fingerstyle and fingerpicking techniques, maintaining the condition of your right hand fingernails can be a challenge. However, valuable insights on nail care can be gleaned from the classical guitar community, which has dealt with this issue for centuries. Here are a few tips I've accumulated over the years to help you safeguard your nails and avoid unnecessary trouble:

  • Keep your nails short: Use nail files and avoid clipping the nails on your plucking hand.
  • Be mindful of potential nail-damaging objects like keys: Organize your pockets to prevent accidental nail damage.
  • Enhance the use of your fretting hand for daily non-musical tasks as it is already well-developed from playing.
  • Watch out for door knobs: They tend to be a common source of nail-related mishaps.
  • Consider wearing gloves when not playing: This can provide an added layer of protection for you hands especially when lugging equipment around.

By implementing these suggestions, you can better protect and maintain the health of your nails, ensuring optimal performance while playing the ukulele.

Bottom-line: Ultimately, as a musician, it is crucial to prioritize the maintenance and well-being of your tools. Among these tools, your hands play a vital role in bringing your music to life.

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20 Lessons in the “Alternating Thumb Fingerpicking on Ukulele” Series

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The lessons are also available individually in the Lessons area of the site. A Lesson series simply organizes these lessons into a logical sequence for learning.

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This sit has ben profesionaly red. awl tpyos aree free and no aditonal chrge • I'm blaming it on “jazz” fingers. “Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.
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