Prior to lessons, I was seeing most people online say that having thumb vertical in back of guitar neck is proper position for playing. My instructor, however, told me not to worry about thumb position and proper form so much for now.
I’ve begun practicing once in awhile with thumb in this position on my own as I am afraid I might be developing bad habits and may need it in this position for higher strings, but I play most comfortably with thumb in a more horizontal position.
I’m curious what most of you were taught/or how you play in reference to your thumb.
You want it in the centre of the fret board for most of the time. You also want you’re wrist to be straightish. Watch some videos on it, as its hard to describe in text.
Yes, I have watched many videos and demonstrations on it, so I know what you mean. My instructor told me not to worry about it for now…thats why I wanted opinions.
Position is irrelevant. Look at all the really great guitar players. Here is a video of Steve Vai, one of the true greats, he has a hand injury and plays this song in a completely unconventional way. In fact hand position constantly changes depending on what they are playing at the moment. I fast forwarded to the interesting part, watch for a couple minutes then watch him play his song Knappsack.
I tired teaching myself guitar. Hold it the way it feels comfortable for you. Guitar tabs are easier to learn than sheet music.
It really depends on whats most comfortable for you. I like my thumb in the middle if the neck but theres also a big camp that likes their thumb where you prefer along with many (page, hendrix) who often play the low E with their thumbs. In the end I’d go with what doesnt hurt so you’ll be motivated to want to keep playing.
I disagree as a former piano teacher. Bad habits are hard to break and can even cause injuries over time. Please try to use correct form at all times. It’s really important, at least on the piano it is. I taught my students from day 1 proper technique.
I don’t consider it a hard and fast rule. Your thumb Position will change depending on what types of cord you’re playing. Also if you’re soloing, you’re thumb just Falls wherever it lands. Your thumb will find its proper position naturally as you play. I never took lessons, so I never went through these things, and it worked out just fine
Yeah, I’ve got a little over a month in. Really only using lower 3 strings for songs so far. Also practicing about 8 chords. I have fallen behind on chords because my concentration and time has mostly be used up on playing songs on little E string (E,F,Gnotes), B string (B C D notes), and G (G and A notes) and the standard notation associated with them. Except of course for the chords that I am practicing, I only really use the 3 strings so far, which obviously use other strings.
@Bowens hey, that’s exactly where I started. I bought the Mel Bay guitar book, which teaches essentially what you’re doing now. God, that was 40 years ago, hard to believe
I agree with learning proper technique from the beginning. I’m self-taught and took a few *short cuts" in my playing, and here I am many years later trying to unlock those bad techniques, and it’s not easy. If you do it correctly from the beginning, you won’t have to hassle with it later.
I’m still a bit of a Noob at guitar but i dont even think about my thumb position, its not on my list of priorities, concentrate on learning how to play.
@SkinnyMe I managed to set up my keyboard a few days ago and played some freestyle sounds with presets through my daw, it was a lot of fun, I really want to learn some chords though and get more in tune with the separate note variations.
@Bowens I dont really pay too much attention to where my thumb goes on the guitar as long as Im not feeling tension in my hand my thumb will go up and down the back of the neck depending on what Im playing
I have small hands so i use my thumb for the low e. No injuries yet and its been 17 years. I think whatever you find comfortable works. Guitar has a unique personality. Everyone has their own style
@Bowens if you’re interested, here is the most basic bar chord. Simply put your index finger on the A string on the 5th fret. Then add your third finger on the 7th fret of the D string. You can move that cord anywhere on the neck, and that’s the way that most rock is played.
You can use this same cord form on the E string as well, and move it anywhere on the neck to make the sound you want on two strings.
