The evil Thumb (and what it should do..)


Tweak
Registered User
Joined: 07/16/03
Posts: 41
Tweak
Registered User
Joined: 07/16/03
Posts: 41
07/26/2003 3:56 am
hehe well heres another one thats been nagging at my mind for a good few months now.

What should happen with your left hand thumb when your playing (for example scles) - mine tends to move a bit as i cross the fretboard. should it be locked in the same place on the neck no matter which string you are playing?

if not, can few folks describe how their thumb moves when - for example they play a simple pentatonic scale (eg 5 8, 5 7, 5 7, 5 7, 5 8, 5 8,)

When im soloing mythum tends to shift and hook over the top of the neck sometimes too, subconciously - like when you play chords..

If your thumb is meant to remain static while you play scales etc, where abouts on the neck should it be and how much pressure should it be excerting on the bck of the neck? especially when playing DOWN a scale from the top string.

Thanks for any guideance on this mystery... hehe

~Tweak~

"This is way too much pressure!"
# 1
Pantallica1
Insert witty remark here
Joined: 12/14/00
Posts: 1,322
Pantallica1
Insert witty remark here
Joined: 12/14/00
Posts: 1,322
07/26/2003 4:54 am
Well, my thumb stays put when playing the minor pentatonic. My wrist rolls under when I get to the higher strings.

My thumb seems to stay put most of the time when I play.

Don't know how it's "supposed" to be.

When I play chords, my thumb hooks over the top, which is sometimes called the "baseball bat" grip. I use this when I do vibrato and also when I bend strings.

Check out: Classical picture and Baseball picture

You can read about the two types of grips here.

Hope that helps.



[Edited by Pantallica1 on 07-26-2003 at 12:00 AM]
Sometimes I hit notes only dogs can hear.
# 2
u10ajf
Registered User
Joined: 10/31/01
Posts: 611
u10ajf
Registered User
Joined: 10/31/01
Posts: 611
07/28/2003 1:23 pm
My thumb sometimes hooks right over the top of the fretboard and frets strings, it makes some chords easier e.g.
5
6
5
0
0
5 (thumb)

Generally my thumb doesn't move much but it does (without deliberation) move and help me position my fingers when I make a big sweep along the length of the fretboard.
Don't get hung up about your thumbs,they're your friends Personally I use both thumbs when I play.

If I couldn't laugh at myself how could I laugh at someone less ridiculous?
# 3

Please register with a free account to post on the forum.