What to do with my thumb?

tomkatzz · #1 04-02-2007, 12:40 PM

I've been playing for a few months. I learned, what I learned, on my own. I can almost play about ten songs including the lead for "Proud Mary."

But I signed up for some lessons and the guy told me my thumb placement is wrong. I place the neck of the guitar in the web of my hand with my thumb hanging over. It sometimes helps with dampening the sixth string/E string.

But the teacher said that's wrong. He said the tip of my thumb must be squarely in the center of the neck.

Does it matter?

thanx.

supermau · #2 04-02-2007, 12:57 PM

It matters to a degree. Dampening the E string might be more easily accomplished with the side of your palm on the picking hand (palm muting). Having that claw-like grip on the neck doesn't free up your fingers very much for wailing. But often the thumb can come in handy for fretting notes along the low E. Everyone has they're own technique and style but generally speaking I think your teacher is correct.

Roland · #3 04-02-2007, 12:58 PM

Whatever works, I guess, but that is going to hit back on you real bad if you keep exploring styles. Muting should be left mostly to the picking hand, and you're not giving your fingers much room to manouver, judging by the sound of it (unless you've got huge fingers).

Dee · #4 04-02-2007, 02:18 PM

Hendrix used the thumb over the top of the neck a lot, but I agree with your teacher -- thumb on the back. Don't get into the habit of having it over the top, it will only slow you down later. Check out players such as Shawn Lane on YouTube and note how he places his thumb. If he didn't have it on the back of the neck there's no way he could play like that.

superhairycamel · #5 04-02-2007, 08:42 PM

cough*cough*Gilbert*cough*cough........

having said that his fingers are longer than lord of the rings

guitvai1 · #6 04-02-2007, 09:05 PM

Both methods are correct given the circumstances.
1. If you are playing open string (cowboy) chords on the first 3 frets then it makes sense to play with your thumb wrapped around the neck. Also having your thumb around the neck when bending a note up a whole tone or 2 is absolutely necessary for stability.
2. Definetly single note soloing and bar chords require the thumb to be underneath the neck IMHO.

**elcid** · #7 04-02-2007, 09:10 PM

Read this thread
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60769

IbanezGirl · #8 04-02-2007, 09:29 PM

guitvai1 is right about having the thumb over the neck when bending. Sometimes, the thumb is also used over the top to fret the 6th/5th strings, but other than that, behind the neck is the way to go.

Dee · #9 04-02-2007, 09:50 PM

I often do bends with the thumb behind the neck. It all depends what I'm doing. There is no single set way of doing it. If you're using your little finger (pinky) while soloing, you'll mostly have the thumb behind the neck. For power chords, you'll also want it behind the neck. For open chords such as C, D, etc., it will probably be on top of the neck. So yeah, it varies! Chop and change as and when needed, but get used to the behind the neck technique, it allows you to move around faster and more freely when soloing, unless you get stuck on playing pentatonic / blue scales all the time (don't!).

rickcard71 · #10 04-02-2007, 11:42 PM

I haven't read the other responses because I don't care, but, you can mute other strings and you can fret the low E.

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #11 04-03-2007, 02:34 AM

I have never really respected teachers who try to teach just one way of doing things like gospel!!!

I would say do what feels right for you!!!
I do both thumb positions, it depends what I am playing at the time!!!

TongueShredder · #12 04-03-2007, 02:49 AM

Cut off your thumb, it will not be a hindrance to you anymore

timi_h · #13 04-03-2007, 08:56 AM

so many different players do different styles thumb-wise
steve morse really likes to have his thumb over the top and wring the things neck and he sure aint slow!
i think for large stretches having the thumb low helps, other than that so long as its on the back of the neck you should do what is natural

Batchimp RG · #14 04-03-2007, 09:09 AM

Do both. No question. Check out Satriani on his bending theory too, 30 seconds into the clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDyI5b3Fh8

werx · #15 04-12-2007, 12:46 PM

Thumb over the neck is a technique only used for blues. Hendrix always played that way because he was so heavily blues influenced. Thumb behind the neck is a classical guitar technique transferred over to electrics. So, basically, you should beable to play with both. Ideally a guitarist should beable to play a shred lick with the thumb behind the neck and quickly switch to thumb over the board doing some bluesy bends/slides and then back again easily. Fretting specific chords require you to put the thumb over the neck. The thing is, with guitar, there are so many circumstances that can happen while playing that you can't just say "play like this all the time". I suggest using both techniques as I suggested above, but test them when playing different phrases as to which gives a richer, more clear, more dynamic sound for whatever you're playing. Also, ask yourself what position gives you the most control for what you're playing. A guitarist should be in control of what he's doing 100% of the time, meaning he should hear the sound he wants to produce and produce it exactly that way with every note.