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Proper Thumb Placement when Barring chords?


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Posted

I've taken a break from guitar and started playing again and I've noticed when I barre chords past the 3rd fret, my thumb begins to hurt.

 

What is the proper placement (Over the neck, at the top of the neck but behind, mid level of the neck)?

  • 3 weeks later...
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Posted

Hold your hand up and make the letter "C" (is for cookie). This is approximately the correct placement. Your hand naturally wants this position and is pretty much designed to do that. Typically thumb behind the neck is the formal placement... but as you improve this can slide.

 

Another issue with early to bar chord learners is pressure. Most early players use way too much. I know some of the notes may not be sounding so the temptation is to squeeze harder. This can cause thumb pain too. Don't squeeze.. more reposition your fingers to be as close to behind the fret wire as possible. Once you get good at barre chords you realize it actually takes very little pressure to execute ... on a well setup guitar that is.

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