Re: Thumb Position??

Hi,

I think some people have said it, but see if you can get some
video's/dvd's or players you like and have a look at their techniques,
a teacher as well may help.

To me, this is somewhat uncomfortable and I find myself pointing
my thumb up the neck toward the nut.

I'm gonna hazard a guess that feels more comfortble becuase of your
wrist, a common problem I have seen with beginners is the inability to
flex the wrist and play, that just comes with time. Dropping you wrist
lower than the guitar neck will naturally land your thumb on the back
of the neck and strategically place your fingers with good access to
the frets. Having your thumb pointing towards the nut means you will
be twisting your arm and your fingers, so I'd imagine fretting things
like barre chords will be especilly hard.

Its all about the position of the wrist and consequently the position
of your fingers. Wrapping your thumb over the top or how you are
requires you to flex the wrist and bring it up towards the guitar neck,
this in turn effecitivly makes your fingers much shorter and cramped
together (they are wrapping around the guitar neck). Sticking the
thumb on the back of the neck means your wrist drops down, below the
level of the neck and your fingers then comes straight up onto the
fretboard, making it possible to reach much futher with them, also the
added benefit of them not being cramped together.

With regards to thumb on the back or over the top, here are my
thoughts.
They both can be good depeding on what you are playing / its context.
If you want to play some wide stretches, intricate chords, meldoies
that sharply move around the neck up/down or string skipping - then
thumb on the back of the neck is *essential* and will (in time) feel
completly natural + good. However, if your playing around with big
bends and gritty licks, the thumb over the top really helps as an
anchour point. Die hard classical etc players will say "thumb on back
always" etc, but classical players do not tend to do big bends/gritty
licks etc. And really it isnt a concious thing, I dont think I'll have
my thumb but but drop it to play this, my thumb naturally / lazyilly is
hooked and will come onto the back of the neck when its required. Then
thumb over the top even more to fret a note is not the best option,
moves it real far away and really anchours the and / cramps the fingers
together. It can be handy to play that extra bass note, but if you can
finger it using your fretting fingers then IMO then is preffered over
thumb fretting the note, why go to all that extra hassel and cramp your
hand together if you could just fret it normally.


Todd wrote:
Hey,
I have been attepting to learn guitar for several months now and I've
noticed that must guitar players have their left thumb on top of the neck.
Some even reach around and hit the low E string with their thumbs. I feel that I can land the strings eaiser in this
position.

Am I teaching myself a bad habit?
Should I point my thumb up even though it's more difficult to play?

Thanks in advance,
Todd

.

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