Re: thumb placement on electric guitar

FirstAlternate wrote:


I was just wondering if that was a bad habit I need to break, or this
is not something to worry about or consciously correct as long as it
doesn't cause any pain or discomfort? Just wondering.


This has been the subject of serious debate here over the years. My experience, observation and knowledge of human physiology all tell me that there is nothing wrong with this. The hand is designed to grasp and this is a grasping motion. You will do damage to your wrist if you wear your guitar too low and bend your wrist in an attempt NOT to use your thumb.

That is my opinion and practice based on 45 years of playing. There are those with a different view, and I suspect they'll be along presently.

I like to play with my guitar slung down around my knees, but not so far down to prevent me from striking the strings in a windmill motion as I leap across the stage into the drum kit. This won't hurt you, unless you consider being impaled on a cymbal stand being "hurt."
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