Travis Picking Patterns

Experts: Texas in trouble thanks to effects of 'costliest drought ever'

The impact of the current drought on the state’s hay, agriculture and produce industry has been debilitating already and will likely worsen if the drought continues as some experts predict.

Mark Welch, Extension economist for grain marketing with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service, says the drought of 2011 will be the “costliest drought in Texas history. “It’s a three, four, five billion dollar impact right now, just in Texas. This is a big deal.”

He explained the state’s five main field crops: wheat, corn, hay, sorghum and cotton have been annihilated. Because the wheat yield was half of what it normally is, farmers will be left with half of the income they would normally receive and have to pay (about) twice as much for hay to feed their livestock due to limited availability.

“We haven’t been able to add to the hay supplies (this year) at all,” Welch said. “And we’ve already used up last year’s crop.”

Owner of 4F’s Feed Store in Brownsboro Larry Featherston agrees.

“There’s not much hay to be found,” he stated. “Square bales are selling for about $7.50 to $9.75 each. Round bales, if you can find them, will run from $100 to $125.”

The heat accompanied by the drought has affected his livelihood, Featherston said. “It was picking up because they (farmers) ran out of food to feed their livestock, but now they are running out of water too.”

He said some farmers and ranchers are being forced into selling their livestock because they simply can’t afford to feed or water them. “This is getting real serious.”

The feed store owner said that a bag of feed cost from $1 to $2 more this summer than last. Even corn prices have doubled, he said, but that’s mostly due to its use in ethanol.

Travis D. Miller, Extension Program Leader and Associate Head for Soil and Crop Sciences agrees. “The drought and associated high temperatures have had a major negative impact on hay crops and livestock throughout East Texas. The impact on vegetable crops will vary with the crop and the amount of irrigation water that is available.”

There is no relief in sight for farmers and ranchers, immediate or otherwise.

Climatologists have said drought conditions would likely last into the fall. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor predictor, Texas will retain its “exceptional” drought status through the end of October.

“TRAVIS” PICKING – A classic picking pattern from the Folk Era ...

“TRAVIS” PICKING – A classic picking style from the Folk Era.  Named after Merle Travis and popularized by Chet Atkins, it became a staple of all folk musicians in the 60′s. . . It can be heard in all the great folk classics of Peter Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Kingston Trio, Brothers Four, Gordon Lightfoot etc. etc.  The pattern is characterized by it’s consistent alernating thumb beat along with a swinging dotted 8th / 16th note rhythm in the upper strings.  One of the coolest aspects of TRAVIS PICKING is that you can play melodies along with a strong rhythmic accompaniment.  The thumb plays the bass part while the Index and Middle fingers play the rhythm and melody combined.  I remember when I was in college and cutting my teeth on the guitar, my roomate and I were on this quest to learn how to do TRAVIS PICKING.  With little success I roamed music stores in the area and one day came across a book: Finger Picking Styles for the Guitar by Happy Traum. . . Inside was a full tutorial on TRAVIS PICKING!!!! . . . I couldn’t believe my eyes. . . I instantly purchased the book and rushed it back to the dorm room and set to learning the “Holy Grail” of guitar picking patterns. . . Later that afternoon my roomate and fellow guitar picker returned from classes and I surprised him with what I had accomplished.  I showed him how and it was the glories of folk music for both of us from that time forward. . . . That’s just how important knowing THAT picking pattern was.  In this tutorial I’ve attempted to teach a version of TRAVIS for the ukulele.  Keep in mind that the thumb needs to be consistent. . . Alternating between the 4th and 3rd strings.  What happens with the rest of the notes is pretty much random.  I’ve notated 3 examples, but there are so many variations on these examples.  The first one would be the most basic then progress to 2 and 3 then try creating your own variations . . . OR, you can mix them up.  Going from one pattern to another.  You will be surprised at how cool this will sound.  It will make your playing compelling and interesting.  Try it with songs such as Puff The Magic Dragon or This Land Is Your Land, or Take Me Home Country Roads. . . they all sound perfect with this picking pattern.

Incidentally, “BLACKBIRD” by Paul McCartney is chiefly all travis picking alternating with Bach like 2 part counterpoint sections.  This is an extremely versatile picking pattern so I highly recommend you make it an important part of your strumming vocabulary.

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