Is ur thumb above or behind the neck?

rafazu41 · 11-03-2009, 10:29 PM

Im not sure if the question is correctly written but when u play do u have ur thumb like this

Or like this

Maybe its a stupid question but i was curious..

Atomic · 11-03-2009, 10:31 PM

i dont have insanely long fingers like hendrix..

besides that, someone told me early on that the "proper" hand position was "as if you have a rubber ball in the palm of your hand" .. so i would say im behind the neck most of the time.

diceman · 11-03-2009, 10:32 PM

Depends on the chords I'm playing.

So, both.

My bad habit is keeping my pinky behind the neck when I play power chords...

Boleskinehouse · 11-03-2009, 10:32 PM

Both, depending on what my hand has to do.

rafazu41 · 11-03-2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

My bad habit is keeping my pinky behind the neck when I play power chords...

I cant imagine that.. can you show me a picture lol...

Mr Insane · 11-03-2009, 10:36 PM

Both

Shithead · 11-03-2009, 10:39 PM

Both..........

Ride on a Pony · 11-03-2009, 10:47 PM

I'd say everyone would be both. I'm yet to meet someone who can span 5 or 6 frets and have their thumb over the top, and then mute the low E with it planted on the back of the neck.

nauc · 11-03-2009, 10:48 PM

both, depending on what im playing

claricSTi · 11-03-2009, 10:54 PM

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but isn't this in the wrong section?

For the record, I go both ways (not like that, get your mind out of the gutters)

It depends on what I am playing and what I am trying to do. A lot of the time it seems I can access my low E string better when using my thumb, when I am trying to play something more technical it helps having my thumb behind the neck in proper playing position. I've heard of many guitar teachers that will tell you to never move that thumb over the neck though, no matter what.

In my eyes, do what feels right. To me, it makes more sense to use your thumb. If you don't, then 20% of your fretting hand isn't even being used.
So for me thumbs up

MKLP · 11-03-2009, 10:55 PM

I have pretty long fingers, but like the others, it all depends on what I'm doing at the moment.

Jon Rambo · 11-03-2009, 10:58 PM

Depends. Sometime's it's behind, sometimes I actually fret the low E string with my thumb. So my thumb moves around.

River · 11-03-2009, 10:58 PM

D7:

E:

Pinky bend:

TKOjams · 11-03-2009, 11:01 PM

For Blues, Thumbs all the way!!

FastFret · 11-03-2009, 11:03 PM

My thumb is all over the back of the neck.......

rafazu41 · 11-03-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

D7:

E:

Pinky bend:

Colombia if you where asking to me :S

jon1 · 11-03-2009, 11:22 PM

My thumb position just depends on where my fingers happen to be. Did hendrix have his thumb over the top all the time? I think he hit quite a few low E notes with his thumb.

rafazu41 · 11-03-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon1

Did hendrix have his thumb over the top all the time?

I think he did.. but im not sure atleast he did it most of the time..

YouTube - All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

faded studio · 11-03-2009, 11:29 PM

both

AXE · 11-03-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleskinehouse

Both, depending on what my hand has to do.

diceman · 11-04-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafazu41

I cant imagine that.. can you show me a picture lol...

phos · 11-04-2009, 01:15 AM

I learned classical guitar when I was young so I never learned to ever play with my thumb wrapped over the top, not to mention the necks on those types of guitars are really huge. Recently when I picked up the guitar again, I started learning rock/metal type songs and so wrapping my thumb over the top over the neck was foreign to me. After 2 weeks of concentrated practicing I actually much prefer it for muting the low E or even using it to fret the low E. I've gotten a pretty handle on it even with my fattest LP neck ('58 Reissue). I personally prefer wrapping my thumb over as I find I have better muting control on both the up and down strokes, but it really depends on what feels comfortable to you and what you are playing.

Thundergod · 11-04-2009, 01:16 AM

On top, most of the time.

diceman · 11-04-2009, 01:24 AM

I fret the low E string with my thumb on my version of the Barre Chord.

yllsacky · 11-04-2009, 01:35 AM

over on my lp's and under when im playing my acoustic

BlackStrat · 11-04-2009, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

I fret the low E string with my thumb on my version of the Barre Chord.

This is what I do also.

I didn't start doing it until I started playing hendrix type things though. Most of what he does is out of that thumb over type playing.

kelv_w · 11-04-2009, 03:46 AM

both

Didn't use as much until I started learning Hendrix as well.

Mark H · 11-04-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafazu41

Im not sure if the question is correctly written but when u play do u have ur thumb like this

Or like this

Maybe its a stupid question but i was curious..

Were you really asking ....Do yall play the way that most books tell ya to>>> Thumb planted on the back in the center?
OR
Get ?? Lazy

and wrap your thumb around the side?

Not so much the Hendrix Purple Haze thing on the E in the pic.

One vote for LAZY thumb wrapin me.OR
Is "grippin" the neck like that all so wrong??

chazza · 11-04-2009, 04:54 AM

Both. Behind the neck when I am playing barre chords and over the top the rest of the time.
I have a really bad playing technique....

Dr. Brown · 11-04-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diceman

Depends on the chords I'm playing.

So, both.

My bad habit is keeping my pinky behind the neck when I play power chords...

Ha! I do that too!

11-03-2009, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
rafazu41 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Marta, Colombia, South America Posts: 97 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Im not sure if the question is correctly written but when u play do u have ur thumb like this Or like this Maybe its a stupid question but i was curious..

11-03-2009, 10:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Atomic Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N'orlins :D Posts: 1,294 Thanks: 38 Thanked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? i dont have insanely long fingers like hendrix.. besides that, someone told me early on that the "proper" hand position was "as if you have a rubber ball in the palm of your hand" .. so i would say im behind the neck most of the time. __________________ -Joe Multi-For Sale Thread! Urgent! click here! Join My Forum!!!! My band Atomic Pilot on: YouTube atomicpilot.com Myspace Twitter My Music Thread VM Worn Cherry Refin MIM Tele Refin

11-03-2009, 10:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,335 Thanks: 308 Thanked 91 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Depends on the chords I'm playing. So, both. My bad habit is keeping my pinky behind the neck when I play power chords... __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

11-03-2009, 10:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,799 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Both, depending on what my hand has to do. __________________

11-03-2009, 10:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr Insane Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,362 Thanks: 93 Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Both __________________ If you don't like the blues, you aren't living life.

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11-03-2009, 10:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Shithead Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chapel Hill, N.C Posts: 1,579 Thanks: 71 Thanked 60 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Both.......... __________________

11-03-2009, 10:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
nauc Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,276 Thanks: 0 Thanked 41 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? both, depending on what im playing __________________ 08 Wine Red Gibson Les Paul Studio

11-03-2009, 10:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
claricSTi Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 232 Thanks: 11 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? I hate to be Debbie Downer, but isn't this in the wrong section? For the record, I go both ways (not like that, get your mind out of the gutters) It depends on what I am playing and what I am trying to do. A lot of the time it seems I can access my low E string better when using my thumb, when I am trying to play something more technical it helps having my thumb behind the neck in proper playing position. I've heard of many guitar teachers that will tell you to never move that thumb over the neck though, no matter what. In my eyes, do what feels right. To me, it makes more sense to use your thumb. If you don't, then 20% of your fretting hand isn't even being used. So for me thumbs up __________________ I'm just a guy with exceptional hair- nothing more, nothing less

11-03-2009, 10:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
MKLP Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NY Posts: 582 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? I have pretty long fingers, but like the others, it all depends on what I'm doing at the moment.

11-03-2009, 10:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jon Rambo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Depends. Sometime's it's behind, sometimes I actually fret the low E string with my thumb. So my thumb moves around.

11-03-2009, 10:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Crestone, Colorado, USA Posts: 12,974 Thanks: 94 Thanked 134 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? D7: E: Pinky bend: __________________ When you don't know where you're going, every road takes you there. And you can't make a wrong turn. Rory Gallagher is "The man who got me back into the blues." - Eric Clapton

11-03-2009, 11:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
TKOjams Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 151 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? For Blues, Thumbs all the way!! __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can never own too many guitars...... No matter what your Wife says.

11-03-2009, 11:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
FastFret Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mount Washington Kentucky Posts: 644 Thanks: 16 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? My thumb is all over the back of the neck....... __________________ 2008 Gibson LP Classic 2007 Gibson Flying V 2008 Schecter FR Hellraiser 2008 Jackson DKMG 2000 Jackson RR1(neck-thru) 90's USA Fender Strat 80'S Charvel 2k-Fender Stratacoustic 2007 Alverez 12 string Applause Round Back USA Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100 Half Stack

11-03-2009, 11:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
jon1 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 83 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? My thumb position just depends on where my fingers happen to be. Did hendrix have his thumb over the top all the time? I think he hit quite a few low E notes with his thumb. __________________ Guitars: 1998 Fender Standard Stratocaster 2009 Fender Standard Stratocaster 1957 Harmony Hollywood 2008 Alvarez PD91s Acoustic Amps: Marshall AVT100 Combo Fender Champion 600

11-03-2009, 11:29 PM	#19 (permalink)
faded studio Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 693 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? both

11-04-2009, 01:15 AM	#22 (permalink)
phos Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 52 Thanks: 6 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? I learned classical guitar when I was young so I never learned to ever play with my thumb wrapped over the top, not to mention the necks on those types of guitars are really huge. Recently when I picked up the guitar again, I started learning rock/metal type songs and so wrapping my thumb over the top over the neck was foreign to me. After 2 weeks of concentrated practicing I actually much prefer it for muting the low E or even using it to fret the low E. I've gotten a pretty handle on it even with my fattest LP neck ('58 Reissue). I personally prefer wrapping my thumb over as I find I have better muting control on both the up and down strokes, but it really depends on what feels comfortable to you and what you are playing.

11-04-2009, 01:16 AM	#23 (permalink)
Thundergod Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 432 Thanks: 5 Thanked 12 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? On top, most of the time.

11-04-2009, 01:24 AM	#24 (permalink)
diceman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 16,335 Thanks: 308 Thanked 91 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? I fret the low E string with my thumb on my version of the Barre Chord. __________________ My Band: www.comeupswingingmusic.com or www.myspace.com/comeupswinging

11-04-2009, 01:35 AM	#25 (permalink)
yllsacky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sweden uppsala! nice Posts: 2,473 Thanks: 66 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? over on my lp's and under when im playing my acoustic __________________ B lessed U nder-rated C reative K ickass E lectrifying T ranquility H onorable E motion A wesome D efinitely the best guitarist of all time

11-04-2009, 03:46 AM	#27 (permalink)
kelv_w Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 421 Thanks: 4 Thanked 15 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? both Didn't use as much until I started learning Hendrix as well. __________________ Gibson LesPaul Standard '08 Gibson LesPaul VintageMahogany '08 Gibson LesPaul GM BFG '09 Epiphone ES335 Dot VS Travellers Guitar EG-1 1999 MIK Squire Stratocaster Orange TinyTerror\|PPC112

11-04-2009, 04:54 AM	#29 (permalink)
chazza Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 230 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Is ur thumb above or behind the neck? Both. Behind the neck when I am playing barre chords and over the top the rest of the time. I have a really bad playing technique....

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