Published:
2012-04-10
Updated:
2020-04-08

Learning Ukulele with Curt

Alternating Thumb Style, Thumb and One Finger - The Middle Finger

In this lesson we’re reolacing the index finger with the middle finger for the patterns mastered in chapters/lessons two, three and four.

Author(s): Curt Sheller Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications Code: ULFP117em-CH-6

Main Category: Fingerpicking Main Instrument: Ukulele

Categories: Chords

Louis-Martin/Curt-2020-FFUF

2026-08-23

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Number of Pages: 2

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Alternating Thumb Style, Thumb and One Finger - The Middle Finger

In this lesson we’re reolacing the index finger with the middle finger for the patterns mastered in chapters/lessons two, three and four.

Ukulele

For UKulele the adjacent four strings sets are:

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 there are four adjacent four strings sets are:

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.

For Banjo there are two adjacent four strings sets are:

However with the standard 5-string banjo has a high string five that you'll mostly use the top (towards your toes) strings for the Banjo Rolls all five strings are used.

art by Curt Sheller

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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Fingerpicking for Ukulele - Alternating Thumb Style, 2nd Edition

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.

ULFP117

Alternating Thumb Fingerpicking on Ukulele

This is the common alternating thumb and two finger strumming style utilizing the thumb, index and middle fingers. Commonly called “Travis” 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.