To thumb, or not to thumb?

Mick Doobie

Resist We Much
That is the question.

When I was a kid hold-up in my bedroom learning to play guitar, thoroughly ensconced in barre chordage, learning the songs of all of my guitar heroes, I would look up at all the many posters on my walls and puzzle, why no (or so few) barre chords? Were they at the moment just striking a pose, in the middle of a lead break, what the heck?

It wasn't until later that I realized they were wrapping their thumb over the top of the finger board. I started to incorporate the method into my own playing, but I broke my wrist as a child and it just seemed uncomfortable to me. A guitar buddy who was classically trained would make fun at the sloppy technique. I still do it sometimes, but more often I opt for a straight barre chord. I think it makes my playing cleaner, but I fear I will never end up striking a pose on a poster on somebody's wall "I want to learn to play like that guy".

To thumb, or not to thumb? That is the question. Which do you prefer or do most often?

(might should be in the guitar forum, but i'll just put it here)
 
I though it was going to be something about having your thumb up your ass...so I was surprised at the lack of posts, 'cuz it's something we've all had experience doing...figuratively, of course. :p ;)

I recently watched a YT video (I wish I could remember the link) of a player who was talking about his classical guitar training and positioning the thumb at the back of the neck and all that...and how it was great for rapid multi-finger lines.
However, he then realized that in that position, he couldn't do certain things with any power, like real strong, biting riffs and deep bends and vibrato.

So...he talked about the combining of the two techniques...thumb slides down to the back of the neck for speed runs, and back up or over the neck for really digging in.
IOW...both are valid, and you shouldn't get stuck on any one position unless you are only going to play one way all the time.

I kinda move it around as needed, but don't have really long fingers, so I can't completely sling my thumb knuckle over the top. I play predominantly barre chords...and for them, my thumb is not at the middle of the neck, but right up to the top of it, just kind sticking up above the top string.
 
It depends.... of course, we all say that.

If I'm going to be playing a D or F open chord in a song, I'll probably have my thumb up in position, ready to go. Otherwise, it's somewhere on the side or back of the neck.
 
Open chords are for pussies....real men play barre chords.





;)

Whenever I'm trying to teach someone to play guitar, after getting their fumbling trembly fingers around a few easy ones, I go straight to F major as a barre chord. On a steel string acoustic guitar. "Learn this. And if it's too hard, you never wanted to learn guitar anyway..."

I don't actually have many successful students, but jeez I've dissuaded a few over the years. :laughings:
 
Yes, I agree with using the thumb when playing a D chord. It can be used to mute the E, or provide a nice full chord with the F sharp added that plays well with other open chords. And if the root chord in the structure is G, the F sharp offers a good aaaaand back to (G) root.

It's definitely more beneficial in a 3 piece band setting, easier to transition from rhythm parts to leads, and back again.

I have to admit, though, it's sometimes hit or miss with me. Too often my thumb lands too close or on the fret....a dull thonk. Maybe lowering the strap to where the guitar hangs just above knee level might help. If it worked for Jimmy Page.....? :thumbs up:
 
I go straight to F major as a barre chord. On a steel string acoustic guitar. "Learn this. And if it's too hard, you never wanted to learn guitar anyway..."

Hell, the unbarred open F chord took me forever to accomplish. :(
I didn't even know what a barre chord was until like a year after I started playing. Self-taught, mind you.... :facepalm:
 
Never done it. Looks like too much effort. I don't play full barre chords too often though, except maybe on acoustic.
 
I don't play barre chords either; I do the four-finger abridged versions.

But I do fold the thumb over the top for other things and use it for "basslines".
 
I thumb-wrap all the time. Try playing a 6-note (like a barred E, not A) major-7th chord without it! Drives me nuts when I hear people playing a C major and not muting the low E, or playing an F major and leaving both open E and A strings unmuted.
 
I was kind of hoping this was going to be a hitchhiking thread. Done that!!


Guitar and the thumb? Hell yeah, I'm awesome.
:thumbs up:
 
The method is not as important as the result. Use whatever works.

Yeah that's where I sit.
I never learned to use my left thumb for anything other than support to put pressure on the neck.
I saw a picture in a Mel Bay book when i was a kid and never changed.
I did the same thing for the proper holding of a pencil (followed a picture in the school book)

Lord this brings back memories (Look Inside) https://www.amazon.com/Mel-Bay-Guitar-Chords/dp/0786629134
 

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The method is not as important as the result. Use whatever works.

Yep.

To this day when I play an open A chord my fingers are in the D shape....index finger, ring finger, middle finger. It really confuses people if they're looking at my fingers trying to follow. I've tried the proper way fingers all in a row, but always go back, because it is what works best for me.

An acquaintance(dude wrote a book called "The Perfect Guitarist" :rolleyes:), he was big on positioning for efficiency to transition to the next chord, and tried to convince me I should do the A properly. I countered, if I play it my way, my ring and middle finger are already positioned for the D, the C, the G, sort of for the Bm. He countered, "ah, but what about the E?". You do it your way, i'll do it mine. Hell, sometimes I just barre with my index finger and mute the 1st string.

I should say, just in case....Hey man, loved the book! :thumbsup:
 
Yep.

To this day when I play an open A chord my fingers are in the D shape....index finger, ring finger, middle finger. It really confuses people if they're looking at my fingers trying to follow. I've tried the proper way fingers all in a row, but always go back, because it is what works best for me.

An acquaintance(dude wrote a book called "The Perfect Guitarist" :rolleyes:), he was big on positioning for efficiency to transition to the next chord, and tried to convince me I should do the A properly. I countered, if I play it my way, my ring and middle finger are already positioned for the D, the C, the G, sort of for the Bm. He countered, "ah, but what about the E?". You do it your way, i'll do it mine. Hell, sometimes I just barre with my index finger and mute the 1st string.

I should say, just in case....Hey man, loved the book! :thumbsup:

Some of those positions look downright pornographic. :)
 
I thumb-wrap all the time. Try playing a 6-note (like a barred E, not A) major-7th chord without it! Drives me nuts when I hear people playing a C major and not muting the low E, or playing an F major and leaving both open E and A strings unmuted.

On a C major I can mute the E string with the C finger, no need for a thumb. Or I can out another finger on the G note on the E string. Or I can just not hit the string. Simples.
 
Yep.

To this day when I play an open A chord my fingers are in the D shape....index finger, ring finger, middle finger. It really confuses people if they're looking at my fingers trying to follow. I've tried the proper way fingers all in a row, but always go back, because it is what works best for me.

An acquaintance(dude wrote a book called "The Perfect Guitarist" :rolleyes:), he was big on positioning for efficiency to transition to the next chord, and tried to convince me I should do the A properly. I countered, if I play it my way, my ring and middle finger are already positioned for the D, the C, the G, sort of for the Bm. He countered, "ah, but what about the E?". You do it your way, i'll do it mine. Hell, sometimes I just barre with my index finger and mute the 1st string.

I should say, just in case....Hey man, loved the book! :thumbsup:

I often just mini-barre the three notes at the send fret and do a 1 finger A chord. And the high E isn't muted. Perhaps I have weird fingers.
 
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