thumb position on back of guitar neck

[tysteel]

Hi,

I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back
of the guitar neck.

I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of the
guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat
position where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.

Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord
changes as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls somewhere
between these two positions as I'm switching from chord to chord.
Maybe one could refer to it as an "in between" position. I suppose
on way to visually describe what I'm referring to is that it's a
position where the thumb is pressed against the back of the
neck..however..unlike the classical position where the fleshy pad of
the thumb presses underneath the middle of the neck...in this "in
between" position the thumb is barely peeking over the top of the
neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is making more contact with the
back of the neck.

I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that
should be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end
up in this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the
beatles song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and
moving down to a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over
the neck, but as I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and
I found myself in this "in between" position while playing the
chord. I suppose the "in between" position is not as ergonomically
(sp?) comfortable as classical position or the hooked over the top
thumb.

Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at
correcting. Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I
should either do it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I
move the thumb down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in
the illustrations in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people
find themselves at times with their thumb ending up in an "in between"
position, and maybe it is not something to even think or worry
about

thanks,
tysteel.

[Pt]

On Sep 15, 11:04 pm, tysteel <***@aol.com> wrote:
\    Then again, maybe a lot of people

Post by tysteel
find themselves at times with their thumb ending up in an "in between"
position, and maybe it is not something to even think or worry
about
thanks,
tysteel.

Your thumb should be where ever it is most comfortable when playing
what ever you are playing.

Pt

[David L. Martel]

ty,

I think that this is really confusing to folks who don't take lessons
from a teacher. The pictures which show thumb position are the position that
the "average" hand should have on a classical neck. This position is not the
position for some electric guitars or steel strung
acoustics. The classical position is not appropriate for all people on all
guitars
It's up to the teacher to decide what will be a good position for your
hand on your neck. I'm assuming here that you're a beginner. Often an
experienced player will work out the hand position of a new guitar without
help. A beginner needs help.

Dave M.

[David Raleigh Arnold]

Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back of
the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of the
guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat position
where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord changes
as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls somewhere between
these two positions as I'm switching from chord to chord. Maybe one
could refer to it as an "in between" position. I suppose on way to
visually describe what I'm referring to is that it's a position where
the thumb is pressed against the back of the neck..however..unlike the
classical position where the fleshy pad of the thumb presses underneath
the middle of the neck...in this "in between" position the thumb is
barely peeking over the top of the neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is
making more contact with the back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that should
be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end up in
this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the beatles
song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and moving down to
a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over the neck, but as
I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and I found myself in
this "in between" position while playing the chord. I suppose the "in
between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?) comfortable as classical
position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the illustrations
in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people find themselves at
times with their thumb ending up in an "in between" position, and maybe
it is not something to even think or worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits, on any
instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the thumb is
straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the force that
holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the thumb.

Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It makes
no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable" it *seems*
to be. daveA

[c***@att.net]

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back of
the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of the
guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat position
where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord changes
as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls somewhere between
these two positions as I'm switching from chord to chord. Maybe one
could refer to it as an "in between" position. I suppose on way to
visually describe what I'm referring to is that it's a position where
the thumb is pressed against the back of the neck..however..unlike the
classical position where the fleshy pad of the thumb presses underneath
the middle of the neck...in this "in between" position the thumb is
barely peeking over the top of the neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is
making more contact with the back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that should
be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end up in
this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the beatles
song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and moving down to
a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over the neck, but as
I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and I found myself in
this "in between" position while playing the chord. I suppose the "in
between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?) comfortable as classical
position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the illustrations
in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people find themselves at
times with their thumb ending up in an "in between" position, and maybe
it is not something to even think or worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits, on any
instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the thumb is
straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the force that
holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the thumb.
Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It makes
no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable" it *seems*
to be. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT.
To email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

Some techniques require other than the classical position other than that
and you will severely limit yourself if you do not use the classical
position. Primarily string bending.

http://guitarprinciples.com/Guitar_Technique/2nec_left_hand_pos.htm

Bob

[c***@att.net]

Post by c***@att.net

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back of
the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of the
guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat position
where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord changes
as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls somewhere between
these two positions as I'm switching from chord to chord. Maybe one
could refer to it as an "in between" position. I suppose on way to
visually describe what I'm referring to is that it's a position where
the thumb is pressed against the back of the neck..however..unlike the
classical position where the fleshy pad of the thumb presses underneath
the middle of the neck...in this "in between" position the thumb is
barely peeking over the top of the neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is
making more contact with the back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that should
be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end up in
this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the beatles
song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and moving down to
a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over the neck, but as
I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and I found myself in
this "in between" position while playing the chord. I suppose the "in
between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?) comfortable as classical
position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the
illustrations
in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people find themselves at
times with their thumb ending up in an "in between" position, and maybe
it is not something to even think or worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits, on any
instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the thumb is
straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the force that
holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the thumb.
Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It makes
no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable" it *seems*
to be. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT.
To email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

Some techniques require other than the classical position other than that
and you will severely limit yourself if you do not use the classical
position. Primarily string bending.
http://guitarprinciples.com/Guitar_Technique/2nec_left_hand_pos.htm
Bob

Oh yes indeed!!! One must ALWAYS employ the "classical thumb position".
Bullshit.

The classical thumb position is a good starting point, not the only one.

If it feels good and sounds good ..(gee guess what) it IS good!! duh

To someone just starting to play no position feels good nor sounds good.

These purists that insist on a certain one-and-only correct thumb position
or any other kind of one-and-only guitar technique, playing style or any
other one-and-only correct bullshit are lame-ass guitar player 'wannabes'
Also for God's sake don't string up unless your bridge pins are genuine
fossilized mastodon ivory.

What happens if I do not have any bridge pins?

And your bridge is Antarctica walrus tusk! Sorry but Alaskan walrus tusk is
just not "correct" enough. Where is the barf bag? What a load of shit.....

I plain old bone or plastic ok?

Play the damn guitar so as to free your soul. Let these textbook
"guitarists" debate the proper way to sit on the commode to take a dump.
It is just about the same degree of non-relevance.

It matters if you get some on you. On the other hand you could always just
wipe it off if it bothers you.

Little Charlie
http://www.soundclick.com/LittleCharlie
"Destroy your EGO and your ART will flourish"

Bob

[Learnwell]

Post by c***@att.net
To someone just starting to play no position feels good nor sounds good.

This is a very true and insightful observation. Few but experienced
teachers understand this.

However good you may be with makeshift technique you would be better
(with less effort) with well developed technique based on appropriate
ergonomic principals.

No one thinks a trained architct is an elitist because he has a
masters degree. Who do you want designing your house?

[c***@att.net]

Post by Learnwell

Post by c***@att.net
To someone just starting to play no position feels good nor sounds good.

This is a very true and insightful observation. Few but experienced
teachers understand this.
However good you may be with makeshift technique you would be better
(with less effort) with well developed technique based on appropriate
ergonomic principals.
No one thinks a trained architct is an elitist because he has a
masters degree. Who do you want designing your house?

I do not think a house is a good example, at least not an ordinary house.
What you end up with is mostly determined by the people who build it.

Bob

[Lumpy]

Post by c***@att.net
I do not think a house is a good example,
at least not an ordinary
house. What you end up with
is mostly determined by the people who
build it.

When building a house, where should the
framers position their thumbs on their hammers?


Lumpy

You Played on the Tonight Show?
Yes. And I put my thumb wherever the hell I wanted to.

www.LumpyMusic.com

[RichL]

Post by Lumpy
When building a house, where should the
framers position their thumbs on their hammers?

Not where the hammer's head can strike it.
Trust me on this ;-)

[Learnwell]

Post by Lumpy
When building a house, where should the
framers position their thumbs on their hammers?

How about on the back of the claw? If thumb position does not matter
then why not? Wow.

While you are at it, why not position your left hand thumb on the
bridge? After all it does not matter according to some.

[jimmy]

On Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:50:52 -0700 (PDT), Learnwell

Post by Learnwell

Post by Lumpy
When building a house, where should the
framers position their thumbs on their hammers?

How about on the back of the claw? If thumb position does not matter
then why not? Wow.
While you are at it, why not position your left hand thumb on the
bridge? After all it does not matter according to some.

I'm not sure I get all the undertones here -- you guys have been going
at it for some time -- but, Lumpy inadvertently or not, has brought up
a critcal point about holding and swinging a hammer. The thumb MUST
be aligned with the neck of the hammer or your acuracy and power will
suffer. Here's an article titled "How to Hold a Hammer" which
demonstrates exactly how NOT to hold a hammer.

http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,712686,00.html

In fact, I think it's more critical where you place your thumb on a
hammer neck than on a guitar neck. Seriously.......;)

tony

[Lumpy]

Post by jimmy
Here's an article titled "How to Hold a Hammer" which
demonstrates exactly how NOT to hold a hammer.
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,712686,00.html

When clicking on a link to a hammer holding
description, where should my mouse thumb be?


Lumpy

Were you the voice of Casper?
No. Popeye, Snagglepuss and Wells Fargo Bank.
www.LumpyMusic.com

[jimmy]

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:49:51 -0700, "Lumpy"

Post by Lumpy

Post by jimmy
Here's an article titled "How to Hold a Hammer" which
demonstrates exactly how NOT to hold a hammer.
http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/content/0,21770,712686,00.html

When clicking on a link to a hammer holding
description, where should my mouse thumb be?

I can think of at least one spot ;)

Post by Lumpy
Lumpy
Were you the voice of Casper?
No. Popeye, Snagglepuss and Wells Fargo Bank.
www.LumpyMusic.com

[hcbowman]

Post by jimmy

Post by Lumpy
When clicking on a link to a hammer holding
description, where should my mouse thumb be?

I can think of at least one spot ;)

I'd like to point out here that mouse thumbs aren't very big.

--Cliff (US)

[Derek]

Yes, this is an issue that gets "hammered" around here quite often.
One one side you have the "put the damned thumb where ever you like,
and don't let those hoity toity teachers (read DRA) tell you
otherwise" people.

On the other side you have the people who have been taught classical
method, which have btw, hundreds of years of experience behind them so
not just bullshit.

I am not a purist, but I did study classical for a couple of years and
do see the validity of the approach. For me it is about ergonomics
and effiencency.

Frankly, I do things on the guitar classical players don't, and find
my thumb doing things occassionally that The Maestro would have
whacked my knuckles for.

There are a fairly large number of guitarists who experience carpel
tunnel later in life, and I for one would like to avoid that
particular surgery, so I do pay attention to the thumb some. Each to
his own.

[Lumpy]

Post by hcbowman
I'd like to point out here that mouse thumbs aren't very big.

They are bigger than gnat gnuts.


Lumpy

You Played on Lawrence Welk?
Yes but no blue notes. Just blue hairs.

www.LumpyMusic.com

[hcbowman]

Post by Lumpy
They are bigger than gnat gnuts.

Who gnu?

--Cliff (US)

[Lumpy]

Post by hcbowman

Post by Lumpy
They are bigger than gnat gnuts.

Who gnu?

Perhaps gnome oddy.


Lumpy

In Your Ears for 40 Years
www.LumpyMusic.com

[J-Bo]

Post by Lumpy

Post by hcbowman
I'd like to point out here that mouse thumbs aren't very big.

They are bigger than gnat gnuts.

How does the guy who measures mouse thumbs and gnat gnuts for a living
write that in his resume?

[Lumpy]

Post by J-Bo
How does the guy who measures mouse thumbs
and gnat gnuts for a living
write that in his resume?

He doesn't need a resume. They are so in demand
that the head hunters seek THEM for all the
cushy mouse thumb/gnat gnut jobs.

But you have to have been born with the talent.


Lumpy

You were the "OPERATION" game voice?
Yes. Take out wrenched ankle.

www.LumpyMusic.com

[Learnwell]

Post by jimmy
Lumpy inadvertently or not, has brought up
a critcal point about holding and swinging a hammer.  The thumb MUST
be aligned with the neck of the hammer or your acuracy and power will
suffer.  

You make a great point and too much sense for some to understand. Nice
job.

[jimmy]

On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:19:53 -0700 (PDT), Learnwell

Post by Learnwell

Post by jimmy
Lumpy inadvertently or not, has brought up
a critcal point about holding and swinging a hammer.  The thumb MUST
be aligned with the neck of the hammer or your acuracy and power will
suffer.  

You make a great point and too much sense for some to understand. Nice
job.

hmmmm...thanks, I think. You haven't snipped me to favour your
belief, perchance?

[Learnwell]

hmmmm...thanks, I think.  You haven't snipped me to favour your
belief, perchance?

Absolutely, if you mean by belief a well thought out postition
supported by education and experience.

Is it a belief that the round wheel works better than square wheel? Of
course, but the argument for the square wheel would be laughable,
though I'm sure some would make it. . .

And look at some of the juvenile responses to the 'contrary'. The
readers will make their decisions. Fair enough.

[jimmy]

On Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:05:18 -0700 (PDT), Learnwell

Post by Learnwell

hmmmm...thanks, I think.  You haven't snipped me to favour your
belief, perchance?

Absolutely, if you mean by belief a well thought out postition
supported by education and experience.

Fine, but, you quoted me out of context so I'm callin' a foul ;)

Post by Learnwell
Is it a belief that the round wheel works better than square wheel? Of
course, but the argument for the square wheel would be laughable,
though I'm sure some would make it. . .

This guy did OK with the "square wheel".

Post by Learnwell
And look at some of the juvenile responses to the 'contrary'. The
readers will make their decisions. Fair enough.

c'est la vie around here.

tgif,
tony

[Learnwell]

Post by jimmy
c'est la vie around here.

All of Usenet actually. Intelligent readers, many of whom do not post,
can tell who is up to what.

[Learnwell]

Post by c***@att.net

Post by Learnwell

Post by c***@att.net
To someone just starting to play no position feels good nor sounds good.

This is a very true and insightful observation. Few but experienced
teachers understand this.
However good you may be with makeshift technique you would be better
(with less effort) with well developed technique based on appropriate
ergonomic principals.
No one thinks a trained architct is an elitist because he has a
masters degree. Who do you want designing your house?

I do not think a house is a good example, at least not an ordinary house.
What you end up with is mostly determined by the people who build it.
Bob

In any case anyone reading it understands the reference. And, if you
have poor design, it does not matter who builds it. The 805 in
Oakland, the Tacoma suspension bridge, Grand Teton Dam, on and on.

[Tim C.]

Post by Learnwell
No one thinks a trained architct is an elitist because he has a
masters degree. Who do you want designing your house?

Going by the architect-designed buildings I've worked in, I think someone
who knows how to build a house. Too many try to be too clever and forget
the practicalities of life in the building.

[David Raleigh Arnold]

Post by c***@att.net

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Post by tysteel
Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back
of the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of the
guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat
position where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord
changes as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls somewhere
between these two positions as I'm switching from chord to chord.
Maybe one could refer to it as an "in between" position. I suppose
on way to visually describe what I'm referring to is that it's a
position where the thumb is pressed against the back of the
neck..however..unlike the classical position where the fleshy pad of
the thumb presses underneath the middle of the neck...in this "in
between" position the thumb is barely peeking over the top of the
neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is making more contact with the
back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that
should be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end
up in this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the
beatles song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and
moving down to a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over
the neck, but as I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and
I found myself in this "in between" position while playing the chord.
I suppose the "in between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?)
comfortable as classical position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at
correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the
illustrations in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people find
themselves at times with their thumb ending up in an "in between"
position, and maybe it is not something to even think or worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits, on
any instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the thumb
is straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the force
that holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the thumb.
Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It
makes no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable" it
*seems* to be. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT. To
email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

Some techniques require other than the classical position other than
that and you will severely limit yourself if you do not use the
classical position. Primarily string bending.

********!

No technique requires anything different. Once there is no thumb
pressure, leaving the thumb in place for back and forth shifts becomes a
good idea, but if you use your thumb as a lever, you'll never be
able to take advantage of that exception or any others. daveA

[c***@att.net]

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Post by c***@att.net

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Post by tysteel
Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back
of the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of the
guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat
position where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord
changes as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls somewhere
between these two positions as I'm switching from chord to chord.
Maybe one could refer to it as an "in between" position. I suppose
on way to visually describe what I'm referring to is that it's a
position where the thumb is pressed against the back of the
neck..however..unlike the classical position where the fleshy pad of
the thumb presses underneath the middle of the neck...in this "in
between" position the thumb is barely peeking over the top of the
neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is making more contact with the
back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that
should be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end
up in this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the
beatles song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and
moving down to a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over
the neck, but as I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and
I found myself in this "in between" position while playing the chord.
I suppose the "in between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?)
comfortable as classical position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at
correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the
illustrations in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people find
themselves at times with their thumb ending up in an "in between"
position, and maybe it is not something to even think or worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits, on
any instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the thumb
is straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the force
that holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the thumb.
Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It
makes no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable" it
*seems* to be. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT. To
email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

Some techniques require other than the classical position other than
that and you will severely limit yourself if you do not use the
classical position. Primarily string bending.

********!
No technique requires anything different. Once there is no thumb
pressure, leaving the thumb in place for back and forth shifts becomes a
good idea, but if you use your thumb as a lever, you'll never be
able to take advantage of that exception or any others. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT.
To email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

I am starting to use the thumb mainly as a device to help locate the fingers
in relation to the fretboard, now that my death grip is going away.

Bob

[David Raleigh Arnold]

Post by c***@att.net

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Post by c***@att.net

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Post by tysteel
Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back
of the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of
the guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat
position where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord
changes as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls
somewhere between these two positions as I'm switching from chord to
chord. Maybe one could refer to it as an "in between" position. I
suppose on way to visually describe what I'm referring to is that
it's a position where the thumb is pressed against the back of the
neck..however..unlike the classical position where the fleshy pad of
the thumb presses underneath the middle of the neck...in this "in
between" position the thumb is barely peeking over the top of the
neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is making more contact with the
back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that
should be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I
end up in this in between position. For instance, I was practicing
the beatles song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C
and moving down to a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked
over the neck, but as I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down
lower and I found myself in this "in between" position while playing
the chord.
I suppose the "in between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?)
comfortable as classical position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the
illustrations in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people
find themselves at times with their thumb ending up in an "in
between" position, and maybe it is not something to even think or
worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits,
on any instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the
thumb is straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the
force that holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the
thumb.
Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It
makes no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable"
it *seems* to be. daveA
--
http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html You can play the cards
http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

Some techniques require other than the classical position other than
that and you will severely limit yourself if you do not use the
classical position. Primarily string bending.

********!
No technique requires anything different. Once there is no thumb
pressure, leaving the thumb in place for back and forth shifts becomes
a good idea, but if you use your thumb as a lever, you'll never be able
to take advantage of that exception or any others. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT. To
email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

I am starting to use the thumb mainly as a device to help locate the
fingers in relation to the fretboard, now that my death grip is going
away.
Bob

I rejoice. That's exactly why it's a bad idea to use the thumb as a
lever. daveA

[David Raleigh Arnold]

Post by c***@att.net

Post by David Raleigh Arnold

Post by tysteel
Hi,
I have a question to ask about the position of the thumb on the back
of the guitar neck.
I know that there is a "classical" position, in which the left hand
thumb (the fleshy pad of the thumb) is pressed against the back of
the guitar neck, and then there is the thumb over aka baseball bat
position where the thumb is hooked over the top of the neck.
Something I've noticed while practicing a lot of different chord
changes as of late is that at times my left hand thumb falls
somewhere between these two positions as I'm switching from chord to
chord. Maybe one could refer to it as an "in between" position. I
suppose on way to visually describe what I'm referring to is that
it's a position where the thumb is pressed against the back of the
neck..however..unlike the classical position where the fleshy pad of
the thumb presses underneath the middle of the neck...in this "in
between" position the thumb is barely peeking over the top of the
neck. ..and the middle thumb joint is making more contact with the
back of the neck.
I was wondering if this "in between" position is a bad habit that
should be avoided or relearned? I have noticed that at times I end
up in this in between position. For instance, I was practicing the
beatles song, "two of us", and I was switching from an open C and
moving down to a Bm. When playing the "C",. my thumb is hooked over
the neck, but as I moved down to the Bm my thumb moved down lower and
I found myself in this "in between" position while playing the chord.
I suppose the "in between" position is not as ergonomically (sp?)
comfortable as classical position or the hooked over the top thumb.
Just wondering if this is a bad habit that I should work at
correcting.
Maybe some would suggest that when moving to the Bm, I should either do
it with the thumb still hooked over the top, or if I move the thumb
down, move it to a pure classical position as shown in the
illustrations in the books. Then again, maybe a lot of people find
themselves at times with their thumb ending up in an "in between"
position, and maybe it is not something to even think or worry about
thanks,
tysteel.

The thumb should oppose the center of pressure of the other digits, on
any instrument which has a neck. For guitar, this means that the thumb
is straight across the neck, parallel to the frets. Most of the force
that holds fingers to fretboard will come from the arm, not the thumb.
Many disagree with this, but thay are wrong, and they are slow. It
makes no difference what kind of guitar it is, or how "comfortable" it
*seems* to be. daveA
--
"Dynamic Guitar Technique": http://www.openguitar.com/instruction.html
You can play the cards you're dealt, or improve your hand with DGT. To
email go to: http://www.openguitar.com/contact.html

Some techniques require other than the classical position other than
that and you will severely limit yourself if you do not use the
classical position. Primarily string bending.
http://guitarprinciples.com/Guitar_Technique/2nec_left_hand_pos.htm
Bob

Oh yes indeed!!! One must ALWAYS employ the "classical thumb position".
Bullshit.
If it feels good and sounds good ..(gee guess what) it IS good!! duh

Said like a perpetual beginner. You have no speed so you don't want
anyone else to have any either? daveA