Re: Position is Everything------left hand thumb

Derek Tearne wrote in two separate posts:

Also, I don't think there's any suggestion that you play like this, sans thumb, for an entire
evening - just that you can use this exercise to develop a light but
effective touch without the grippy thumb slowing down movement around
the fretboard.

I agree, and that's what I first said to John -- the point is to avoid excessive fingering pressure.

When I did the above test I was using my OLP bass - tonight, at
rehearsal, I tried with my Wal fretless. I could play happily with out
thumb pressure and with no additional forearm pressure - just the
pressure from plucking notes with my fingers.

I disagree, that's physically impossible, and that's the other thing that I said to John. You may not notice it, and you may not realize it, but you are definitely providing a counterforce to fingering pressure.
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