Off Topic Technique: Your Thumb (Everyone's input welcome!)

[Zippoman]

Okay, so it's that time again where I re-evaluate my technique to make sure I'm playing as efficiently as possible. One question that keeps rearing its head in is the position of the thumb; more specifically:

While playing Horizontal Scalar runs, what do you do? Do you slide your thumb down the neck as you go through the notes? Or do you constantly reposition your thumb?

Thanks for your input guys, I like to evaluate my own technique by comparing with others.

 

[Hendog]

I am not sure. I dont pay attention, I just play.

I'll let you know tonight when I pick my guitar up.

 

[paranoid70]

The thumb question is interesting. I am actually double-jointed in my thumb... I can bend it at a 90 degree angle! Thus I have a real weird method of applying pressure to the back of the neck with my thumb. It's a horrible technique - one of the problems of being self taught, but seems to work for me.

 

[Zippoman]

Haha, I hear you man. I was expecting at least a couple of people to answer like that.

Focusing on technique every once in a while can really do wonders for your playing. I'm able to play things now that I couldn't have 2 weeks ago because of it! It's always good to learn something new and that also applies to guitar.

 

[Zippoman]

The last message was directed at Hendog by the way.

The thumb question is interesting. I am actually double-jointed in my thumb... I can bend it at a 90 degree angle! Thus I have a real weird method of applying pressure to the back of the neck with my thumb. It's a horrible technique - one of the problems of being self taught, but seems to work for me.

Its funny you mention that, I'm also double jointed on my thumbs too
Hasn't been too much of an issue yet but every now and then my thumb snaps backwards, always at the most inopportune moment too!

 

[Tung]

my thumb should stay behind the neck, with the first tip contacting the back of the neck. It rides up and down according to the strings i'm playing, but very minimal. For example, if I'm descending fromdown to the low E, then my thumb will move gradually towards the floor as the fingers move towards the lower strings.

 

[ProtoChicken]

Thumb directly between the 2nd and 3rd fingers (middle and ring) which is where it provides the most stability and center of balance. It moves very slightly up and down with my fingers. The wider the stretch the more you need to lower your thumb towards the high E.

 

[walleye]

I play the luke, which has that mega curve on the neck. my thumb sort of hangs on the upper region of the neck and doesnt move.

However when changing position I consciously move my thumb forward or back, even if its just changing one position, which is something I didn't used to do. I think that ones quite important

 

[straycat113]

Well if I am playing blues or blues based rock my thumb wraps around the neck, in fact I hardly ever barr a chord as my thumb plays the bass note. To me in this style of music this is proper technique as you would not be able to play a lot of Hendricks type chord embelishments without doing so and you also get much better leverage when bending strings.

Then if I am playing a piece that uses mainly diatonic scales and calls for different techniques like sweeping,legato, tapping or 3 note per scale runs my thumb is dead center of the neck for maximum stretching ability and comfort. Also you would not really be able to pull these off with your thumb around the neck.

So that is why I feel there is no right and wrong techniques just what works best for you. Look at how Steve Morse or Vanhalen pick almost every teacher would tell a kid that is wrong and make him change his grip. The one thing I do that I would like to do different is pick with a closed hand instead of fanning out but then again you have guys who can pick amazing both ways. Also watch a Gypsey jazz player and try and figur out how they can pull that speed picking basically with all down strokes. I think when you over analyze your playing you cause more damage then good as you are concisely thinking when playing instead of having a clear mind. Just my personal opinion.

 

[Zippoman]

Well if I am playing blues or blues based rock my thumb wraps around the neck, in fact I hardly ever barr a chord as my thumb plays the bass note. To me in this style of music this is proper technique as you would not be able to play a lot of Hendricks type chord embelishments without doing so and you also get much better leverage when bending strings.

Then if I am playing a piece that uses mainly diatonic scales and calls for different techniques like sweeping,legato, tapping or 3 note per scale runs my thumb is dead center of the neck for maximum stretching ability and comfort. Also you would not really be able to pull these off with your thumb around the neck.

So that is why I feel there is no right and wrong techniques just what works best for you. Look at how Steve Morse or Vanhalen pick almost every teacher would tell a kid that is wrong and make him change his grip. The one thing I do that I would like to do different is pick with a closed hand instead of fanning out but then again you have guys who can pick amazing both ways. Also watch a Gypsey jazz player and try and figur out how they can pull that speed picking basically with all down strokes. I think when you over analyze your playing you cause more damage then good as you are concisely thinking when playing instead of having a clear mind. Just my personal opinion.

I also believe there is no wrong technique. However, I also think that there's techniques that are more efficient than others. For fast runs, my thumb is always behind the neck, and now that you guys mention it my thumb also tends to lean towards the High E string while making further stretches. I ALWAYS do my bends with my thumb wrapped around, I feel like I have more control over the vibrato and holding the bend itself.

Now to go off topic in the off topic thread I always liked John Petrucci's playing (very modal) and I always loved Buckethead's technique (his right hand and left hand are barely moving!) ; sometimes I find myself trying to combine the two. Petruhead I shall be called.

 

[andynpeters]

Not only do I need to practise more, I also need to find out what "Horizontal Scalar Runs","3 note per scale runs" & "diatonic scales" are. These things didn't exist when I taught myself what little I know.
For what it's worth (not much) I think I'm a "thumb over the top of the neck" player.....but anyone who's seen my playing won't be taking any technique lessons from me!
No part of my body is double jointed.....these days I'm grateful if they work at all!

 

[straycat113]

andynpeters you have the right attitude besides having a huge advantage as to what is available teaching wise in this day and age.

I am 48 and took 3 formal lessons by a teacher who was in his 80s when I was ten and who probably hated R&R with a passion. After 3 lessons out of a book of Ol Susana and The Big Rock Candy Mountain I never had a lesson again in my life. I can remember dropping the needle of the record player down on the same spot 50x to learn one lick.

Today with the web, Books, CDs and DVDs plus so many cool teachers you can really take your playing to another level if you have the drive in a very short time. I do not know where you are in your playing but I can recommend three DVDs that I think will be of great use to you as they are a set that works together that you can order from Guitar Lessons, Guitar Backing Tracks, Guitar Tuition DVDs. They are Rock Essentials,Rock Concepts and Advanced Rock Guitar all by Danny Gill a tremendous player and great teacher who was a former pupil of Joe Satriani. For the roughly $60 these three DVDs will cost they will keep you busy for a year at least and also take you from pentatonics to diatonics, Arpeggios, Sweeping, 3 note per string runs, pedal tones, Harmonic minor and beyond.

They have some of the best players in the world on that site and a few that drop in here on occasion like Jamie Humphries and Andy James. If I want to work on a technique I am not that familiar with or if I am just looking for something to tweak my interest these are the guys I buy my DVDs from. If Jeff Beck still wakes up and practices everyday that is all that has to be said, Believe me the three DVDs I recommended will really be a big help to you. After that you can pick and choose what you want to work on or work out, as they have something of interest no matter what level of skill you are at. Good Luck.