Members edeltorus Posted December 16, 2006 Members Posted December 16, 2006 It's a posture question: What happends to the thumb on the back of the fretboard when you play a decending run from the top e down to the low e? I have my thumb in "rock guitar" position with the first joint looking over the edge of the fretboard for the high three strings, and do a switch to a classical position for the lower three strings. (Yes, I have long fingers) This gives me a far better reach for the lower strings and more force for pull-offs on the higher strings. However, the transition from one position to the other is the cause of regular mess ups when I play a bit faster. My teacher told me to change this and work on a smooth transition (and I do it.. It really helps to play smoother), but I'm eager to know where you guys have your thumb. Could you do me a favor and do the following experiment: Play the a-major scale rooted with the second finger on the 5th fret downwards (this one): When you reach the last note: Where is your thumb? On the opposite side of the index or middle finger? On the exact middle of the fretboard, below or above of it? Thanks, Nils
Members 1001gear Posted December 16, 2006 Members Posted December 16, 2006 I have small hands. For barring I try to wrap it around the back of neck as comfortably as possible. Otherwise it's just the standard grips or hanging off in space.
Members red|dragon Posted December 16, 2006 Members Posted December 16, 2006 I also have small hands. My thumb also bends backwards. While most people wrap their thumb around the neck, I am more comfortable putting my thumb in the middle of the back of the neck with my thumb bent back. I don't really think about it much unless people point it out to me.
Poparad Posted December 16, 2006 Posted December 16, 2006 I keep my thumb right in the middle of the back of the neck almost all the time. When playing the A major scale posted above, I took a look at what I was doing and it just stayed put. I did, however, tilt on it a bit as I went from the high position to the low position, but I didn't actually move it anywhere other than the middle. The only time that I bring the thumb around is for a lot of bends and to fret notes on the bottom E string. Otherwise I always keep it on the back as it is the most efficient posture for playing just about everything with the least amount of effort required.
Members Caffeinated Cat Posted December 17, 2006 Members Posted December 17, 2006 By the time I get to the end of that run on the low E, my thumb has worked its way to the center of the back of the neck. When I start on the high E, it's sort of peeking over the top of the fretboard.
Members nylon rock Posted December 17, 2006 Members Posted December 17, 2006 I have large hands. At the start it was peaking above the fretboard at around the 3rd fret. By the time I reached the E note, it was almost at the 2nd fret and more towards the back of the neck center, but not quite.
Members Li Shenron Posted December 18, 2006 Members Posted December 18, 2006 I follow only my own comfort, which in case of "runs" is to keep the thumb in the middle, in case of slower but more dynamic phrasing (but also in case of legatos) is closer to the upper edge, and in case of certain rhythmics (e.g. Hendris/Kravitz/Vai style) is muting the first string. I also have small hands (maybe 10cm per finger) but probably it doesn't hurt that much.
Members cglover Posted December 18, 2006 Members Posted December 18, 2006 I keep my thumb in the middle most of the time also, but it really depends on the type of guitar I'm playing. A classical guitar neck almost demands that you have your thumb in the middle because the neck is so wide. An electrics neck is pretty easy in comparison. Sometimes its best to just go with the flow when your feeling the music. When I'm in the zone I rarely have to think about my thumb placement.
Members lyyky Posted December 19, 2006 Members Posted December 19, 2006 My thumb stayed in one spot the whole time, but pivoted or tilted slightly as I moved through the strings. It was halfway between the middle and the bass-string edge of the fretboard, opposite my middle finger, and bent backwards like a banana. I teach my students to be efficient with movement, and to try to find a thumb position for any phrase that will work through the whole phrase. For maximum speed and accuracy, this is pretty important, but probably not necessary for everyone.
Members Dubb Posted December 20, 2006 Members Posted December 20, 2006 Originally posted by lyyky My thumb stayed in one spot the whole time, but pivoted or tilted slightly as I moved through the strings. Me too. My hand stayed basically in "rock guitar" position for the entire run, but my thumb doesn't actually hang over the top of the fretboard as you describe- it's kind of a compromise between the two positions, with my thumb diagonal to and resting on the neck the whole time. I've heard a lot of speed freaks say that you should stay in the "classical position" for the whole run, but I think you should decide for yourself based on style. I think the "classical" position better facilitates speed/accuracy while the "rock" position better facilitates bending. My playing most often resembles that of David Gilmour- hence, the strict "classical" position is pretty useless for me personally.
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