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The left hand thumb?

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(@rhcpfan)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 36
Topic starter  

Hey, I was wondering were to keep my left hand thumb when playing:

- single notes;

- playing open chords;

- playing barre chords;

thanks,

RHCPfan


   
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(@dogbite)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

most of the time my thumb is behind the neck .
there are times when it is over the top.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
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(@xuelong)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 19
 

Like Dogbite said, most of the time the left-hand thumb should be behind the neck. This, especially as a beginner, will give added strength for chords (especially barre chords) and stability for scales. However, the left-hand thumb is valuable for fretting for many players. For example, I hardly ever use my index finger to play the root F of a FMajor chord; I almost always use my thumb.


   
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(@embrace_the_darkness)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 539
 

I find that the position of my thumb depends on how I am playing:

With single notes my thumb tends to sit where it is comfortable:

With open chords, it should sit behind the neck, but I find that there is no need to go too far:

With barre chords, the thumb should sit in the centre of the neck so that the wrist can be at a near 90 degree angle to the neck:

The angle for the barre chord position can be *very* weird and uncomfortable but once you get used to it it's second nature :)

Pete

ETD - Formerly "10141748 - Reincarnate"


   
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(@nexion)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 525
 

Lots of times when playing really slow, warm solos I tend to take my thumb off of the neck and I sort of milk the notes with my fingers.

"That’s what takes place when a song is written: You see something that isn’t there. Then you use your instrument to find it."
- John Frusciante


   
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(@xuelong)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 19
 

Lots of times when playing really slow, warm solos I tend to take my thumb off of the neck and I sort of milk the notes with my fingers.

Can we get a picture of that please? :P


   
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(@dogbite)
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Joined: 19 years ago
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when making full on barre chords it is really a good idea to keep the thumb behind the neck. dont have point upwards. it should lay in the direction of the neck. the thumb should point to the headstock.
you will have better sounding chords, have an easier time applying pressure, and less hand fatigue.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
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(@clockworked)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 214
 

I like to keep my left thumb firmly attached to my hand. Usually my left hand, for the sake of being specific. A lot of times it'll be near the guitar when I play, in the general vicinity of the fretboard.

Used to be, was a part of me felt like hiding.. but now it comes through. Comes through to you.


   
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(@drpool)
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Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 28
 

I like to keep my left thumb firmly attached to my hand. Usually my left hand, for the sake of being specific. A lot of times it'll be near the guitar when I play, in the general vicinity of the fretboard.

I'm going to have to try this, clockworked thanks for the insights. :? :?


   
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(@ballybiker)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 493
 

I like to keep my left thumb firmly attached to my hand. Usually my left hand, for the sake of being specific. A lot of times it'll be near the guitar when I play, in the general vicinity of the fretboard.

top marks.......i've only just stopped ROFL :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

you should win the prize for wittiest comment of the year...pure class :roll:

what did the drummer get on his I.Q. test?....

Drool

http://www.myspace.com/ballybiker


   
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(@clazon)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 502
 

(I think I'm going against all the above posts in saying this)

But I couldn't help but notice your name.

If you intend to play the type of music that Frusciante makes/emulates, you're going to come to a stage where you need to use your thumb. It's come from the man himself when there were some lesson vids leaked onto youtube. Hendrix too utilised the thumb.

If you're going to play classical guitar, keep it anchored behind the neck. However, if you're trying to play Sir Psycho Sexy/Under the Bridge etc. You're going to need to play barre chords using the thumb on the root note.

Personally I've been trying to incorporate the thumb rule myself, however I'm 2-3 years into playing. And so I guess this is the most important part. I'd recommend NOT using the thumb until you have the barre chords down 90%+. That means knowing what every barre chord is (within reason, ie. main 10 or so) and being able to interchange between them all fluently. Then, once you got there (which I think I had, being a rhythm guitarist in a band, after ALOT of playing them) by all means use the thumb. I say this too, because one advantage of using the thumb is that it frees up other fingers for twiddles and the like inaccesible to someone who isn't barring with their thumb (or a huuuge hand). By the time you're able to play pieces requiring these twiddles, you should be a good enough guitarist anyway to have got barre chords down 90%+.

Of course you can use your thumb in lead parts too then. For example I find it easier to play Can't Stop with my thumb playing the very first notes of the riff at the 7th fret on the A string. The reason being, I can instantly mute it afterwards, which is necessary for this twangy percussive riff. Now this skimps out I'm sure on another technique I just haven't learnt yet(probably some kind of right hand palm mute), but it also uses a technique I have- resting the fretting finger I just used lightly on the string afterwards to kill the note (useful for sweep picking).

Hope that all helps. :P

"Today is what it means to be young..."

(Radiohead, RHCP, Jimi Hendrix - the big 3)


   
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(@oenyaw)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 395
 

Good post clazon.

As for the original post, watch the DVD of Hendrix at Woodstock. Amazing.

Brain-cleansing music for brain-numbing times in a brain dead world
http://www.oenyaw.com


   
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(@dogbite)
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Joined: 19 years ago
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ya. right on Claxon.
do learn proper before improv.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
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(@rhcpfan)
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Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 36
Topic starter  

(I think I'm going against all the above posts in saying this)

But I couldn't help but notice your name.

If you intend to play the type of music that Frusciante makes/emulates, you're going to come to a stage where you need to use your thumb. It's come from the man himself when there were some lesson vids leaked onto youtube. Hendrix too utilised the thumb.

can you send me the links to those video's?


   
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(@riff-raff)
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Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 371
 

Somtimes I wrap my thumb around the top of the fretboard to mute the E string. For instance, when I play a CM or a B7 chord.


   
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