...there is a proper way when it comes to stressing muscles and joints...

That's so true! Not all players have the same "margin of stress/difficlty", and not ALL players care about how much of the neck they want to reach (or how far of a "fret-spread" is important to seriously advancing their technique).


If THIS is so:

...My thumb it way around the neck and I can't play any way else..."

-then you'll have virtuall NO reach on the lower strings, especially in the upper register. Unless, of course, your fingers are FIVE INCHES LONG, or you're a sasquatch... or somethin'...

Unusual circumstances...

...(like wrapped around the neck so that you could play the root of a bar chord with it, like hendrix)...

"daveadf" may know this; some of you may not; but some points about the late GREAT master Jimi Hendrix:
-He had __H__U__G__E__ hands!!!
-He had __L__O__N__G__ fingers!!!
-His particular unique style didn't carry the executable requirements of the common "neo-classical" style or (if you'll pardon the term) "shredder" of today.

It's sometimes hard to judge and/or examine when reading these 'posts' when you don't know the context a player is posting a question about, no??

I'm quite successful at creating great developmental steps for my students, but I RARELY EVER give advise to their SPECIFIC hand positioning (picking, tapping, or fretting) until I can SEE them playing. The general rules are something we ALL try to explore. Sharing various techniques w/each other does HELP; but attempting to bend your neck around a pole to kiss yourself on the nose will usually result in injury...

...unless your neck is as long as Jimi Hendrix's fingers.

I certainly admire how passionate all you cats seem to be about practicing though. It's very refreshing and inspirational to see so many guitarist actually CARING about the level of excellence & quality they strive for.
GOOD LUCK TO EVERY ONE OF YOU!


~JSV