Left hand thumb position

[WarMan]

I find that my left hand thumb is usually running parallel with the neck except when I play the lower notes when it then want to hang over the neck. I know this is incorrect and my thumb gets strained quickly. I've tried and tried to keep it parallel to my fingers and roughly behind my index and ring finger, but I fail every time. I think I have my strap adjusted correctly based upon a lot of information I have read.

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, exercises, etc. to train it?

Thanks,

 

[rhythmCity944]

Work and work at it...when you see your thumb coming over the neck, stop and reposition it...there is not a lot you can do except try and try and pay attention to what you are doing...

 

[the unrepentant]

To train it? just try to do it :S it will come naturally, it's exactly the same as learning to incorporate other fingers into your fretting.

I sometimes put my thumb in a weird position on the back of the neck, sorta pushing against it, but that's usually only on the bottom string, but it used to be all of them, and i tried to stop doing it, and i did.

 

[Kirby]

If you master it by playing any exercise, say cycle of 4ths, scales in all 12 keys... it will make things easier down the road. It will make difficult fingerings easier as well as speed and dexterity. Take time to learn it correctly in the beginning and it will save a lot of time in later years trying to correct a poor habit.

 

[rhythmCity944]

what he said /\
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yeah, if you practice and force yourself to get the technique right and maybe lose some ability to play certain riffs right now, in a couple months (it shouldn't take any longer, muscle memory) you will be able to play those riffs and so much more with a lot more efficently...when i started playing bass at 13 i used to put my thumb over the neck until i read about propper hand positions that some of the top pros used. I decided that I wanted to be the best I can be and worked on my left hand thumb technique and before I knew it, i didn't even realize, my thumb never came over the neck and when I was learning difficult riffs that my thumb had a tendincy to come over the neck, I would put aside and learn at a disapline (sp) until I could play the riff w/o bringing my thumb over the top...now many years later, it feels real so natural to keep my thumb down...

 

[fly]

hhmmmmmmm

i tend to bring my thumb over too........but i've learned to embrace the way i play bass.


not the best player in the house but,i can hang in there.

should i change my ways?

 

[RocketRalf]

What do you people mean by having the thumb over the neck? When I play the bass on the lower positions I keep my thumb parallel to my fingers , just as if it were a fret but on the very middle of the maple side of the neck (considering the fretting surface is rosewood), but when I go to the higher positions or I'm hammer-pulling on the G string I often put my thumb on the side of the neck, just like in the violin, mainly for expression in solos, never for a proper bass riff, unless like I said it were a legato passage on the G string. Is there anything wrong with it? My serious musical training is only in violin, so I never really cared to take classes or develop a proper technique in the guitar or bass, I just watch my influences play and go with my guts...

 

[rhythmCity944]

the reason for the technique is mainly to prevent stress on the wrist and hand that can lead to serious problems later on. it also keeps good blood flow to the hand and helps with lubrication of the joints...every person's hand is different and there is always room for variation and what is comfortable but the method being talked about is proven to allow maximum reach for the hand across the fretboard...i've been told that your fingers should have enough strength to be able to fret the bass while playing without your thumb even touching the back of the neck in most cases...i just find what works for me

 

[WarMan]

Thanks

Thankjs for all of the ideas.