Originally Posted by: jeff896

Every video I watched, here and YouTube, states the end of the thumb is supposed to be used as additional support on the back of the fret board. However, this is too painful for me and my chords sound aweful. The only way, so far, I can play is using the mid-section of my thumb.

I'm using a Fender Squire Stratocaster. My hands measure as the following:

Hand (from palm to tip of middle finger: 6"

Thumb: 2 1/2"

Index Finger: 3"

Middle Finger: 3 1/4"

Ring Finger: 3"

Pinky Finger: 2 1/4"

I've been curious if my hands, part or in full, are too small or if improvising like I'm doing is acceptable. I know everyone has their own playing style but I don't want to learn bad habits or injure my wrist.

Thanks for reading!

Though I never put much thought in to where my thumb is, I just grabbed a guitar and watched myself. Things is, in action, you're tumb is not held in one single way. Playing open 'cowboy' chords, my thumb tends to be hung on top of the fretboard. I'm not so much gripping the neck as it's where my thumb hangs out. Same with lead/solo stuff mostly. The only time my thumbs is holding the middle, back of the neck is with barre chords. Even then, it's the fleshy part between the tip and the middle/joint.

Something to keep in mind, you do not have to grip the neck for dear life. The thumb is going to move and shift and gripping to tight will slow you down and create discomfort.

Take those videos as a guide but we all have different hands and nothing is universal. However, just fret a chord and find out where your thumb feels most comfortable and know that as you learn, you don't even think about your thumb, it just kinda does its thing.

Just to contradict myself, players such as classical players, you do see them with their thumb holding the middle of the back of the neck. That is the 'proper' technique I suppose but the reality is that unless you're playing classical, a little more freedom for your thumb will do you much better.