where does the thumb go?

[Alienbob]

i've been playing for awhile and i want to learn some guitar solos that require me to play a little faster and use hammering more often. So where should my thumb go on my fingering hand during the solo? for me the natural position is to put it rest it on the neck right above my low E string. Should i put it behind the neck like i were playing chords instead or just keep it where it is and just keep practicing?

[ThePinkPanther]

maybe you could try whats most comfortable for you?

just maybe

[4yearpro?]

your supposed to keep it behind the neck but depending on what you play it sticks out, so do what ThePinkPanther said, be comfortable

[TSRTS]

I always wrap my thumb around the neck, as do (or did) most great guitar players.

[Miek]

Bad technique ITT

[zhyla]

Try keeping it behind the neck where it traditionally goes, if that doesn't feel right then do it your own way.

[mnemonic]

i usualy have my hand around the neck, dosn't seem to bother me. but i ahve big hands, also the neck on my strat is thin, so its okay.

[FakeReality]

With classical guitar you're supposed to keep the end of your thumb on the middle of the neck (it shouldn't stick up above the top of the neck where the low E string is) I doubt it matters with electric. Do whatever feels comfortable. You might need to use your thumb to play bass notes sometimes.

[Trigger_003]

Why shouldn't it matter with electric? The type of guitar you have doesn't suddenly change the effects of incorrect technique.
Really, you should be keeping your thumb in the centre of the back of the neck most of the time. That might mean you have to re-train yourself a bit, but you should be better off for it.

[hybridreality]

Why shouldn't it matter with electric? The type of guitar you have doesn't suddenly change the effects of incorrect technique.
As a rule, electric guitars have thinner necks, and closer frets, so less stretch work required.

Really you should still keep your thumb behind the neck, but if it causes discomfort and (like me) you can actually play just as well over the neck I don't see why it makes much of a difference. A lot of the greats play with their thumb over the neck, at least sometimes.

I've noticed Steve Vai does it a lot.

[ChickenStu]

I play with my thumb on the top, ready to dominate the E or A string if need be.

[Alive]

I always wrap my thumb around the neck, as do (or did) most great guitar players.

Na ur wrong.

If you keep your thumb at the back of teh neck it will give you a greater reach and the ability to come down vertically onto the fretboard more easily, but it gives you less control in bends and vibrato.

When bending, push your thumb onto the top of the neck (not over the fretboard), and pivoting at our wrist, use two fingers (if possible).

[StormX]

I switch, back and forth. Thumb on the back of the neck cramps my hand, so I'll play that until I start cramping up then switch.

[Ibanex0110]

i play with my thumb on the back of the neck most of the time, i think i switch when i'm playing thigns that don't require massive amounts of stretching...but i wear my guitar kinda low, so anything past 3-4 frets is grounds for thumb behind the neck

[jakerc]

i've noticed as i've been playing longer my thumb has been progressing towards the top of the neck more and more. probably a bad habit, but oh well. it can be useful if you need to mute the lower strings though, or if you are playing chords with different basslines (D/F# is a cool one)

[ChickenStu]

Na ur wrong.

If you keep your thumb at the back of teh neck it will give you a greater reach and the ability to come down vertically onto the fretboard more easily, but it gives you less control in bends and vibrato.



There is no wrong way. Its guitar playing, not building an engine. Many excellent guitar players use(d) their thumb a lot. Hendrix is on of them. Back of the neck might give you more reach, but if you dont need the reach, why take the thumb out of the equation.

[Alive]

There is no wrong way. Its guitar playing, not building an engine. Many excellent guitar players use(d) their thumb a lot. Hendrix is on of them. Back of the neck might give you more reach, but if you dont need the reach, why take the thumb out of the equation.

I meant the second bit was wrong.

It doesn't matter as much on an electric, a lot of blues and rythm players hang it over the top, most shredders stay at the back of the neck.

[the_uber_penguin]

Speed, fretting accuracy and stretch are all improved by having the thumb on the back of the neck. These are important to classical players.

Bend and vibrato control and distance are greater with thumb over the top. Since these aren't important to classical players (who hardly ever use bends) they will religiously keep their thumb on the fretboard.

Some really wide bends you need a thumb over to do fully, though. I prefer playing thmb down.

[Trigger_003]

If you use your thumb in any other position than the centre of the back of the neck, you WILL get thumb aches and you WILL die.
:shifty:
This is just a case of what's seen as correct technique. It's not the do-all and end-all, just what examiners and well-trained professionals will most likely expect to see (in most cases. sure, if you're needing to use your thumb for the bass notes in a particular song, go ahead).

To all those saying "oh, but {insert famous guitar player here} does {insert way of doing technique here}", I guess you can use the classic example of Mr Gallespie (probably one of the most famous jazz trumpeters for any of you who don't know him). There you have an awesome player, but I wouldn't go around telling all the brass players I know to play with their cheeks puffed out - which is a blatantly wrong and damaging technique - just because he did.

A lot of people don't play properly themselves just out of habit/training (even though they are great players), but they don't necessarily say to their students to copy this incorrect technique.

Yeah Hybrid, I'm aware that electrics and classicals have a different make-up, but it's still seen as proper technique to throw your thumb in the classical position.

[FakeReality]

There is no proper technique. Both the classical style, and the rock/blues thumb wrapped around the neck style are considered proper, but used for different things. You can't possibly have a good rock vibrato using the classical style thumb position.

[ChickenStu]

There is no proper technique. Both the classical style, and the rock/blues thumb wrapped around the neck style are considered proper, but used for different things. You can't possibly have a good rock vibrato using the classical style thumb position.

Exactly. Thank you.

[superdigg]

aw what the hell! I used to play with my thumb on the back of the neck and I was all comfortable but then this guy that had been playing longer than me told me it was proper to play with my thumb over the top of the fretboard, so I changed :angry:

okay I guess it doesn't REALLY matter but it's kinda lame that the guy made me change my commonly-accepted technique

[Ullvantar]

Uh, my thumb is usually all over the place except where its supposed to be. I very easily get a lil ache in my thumb when playin so I never tend to keep it in one position for very long. Sometimes behind the neck at the centre but very rarely as this is the most uncomfortable for me. And as people has stated, with the thumb over the neck your bends and vibratos greatly increase and those are my two favorite techniques :chug:

[StormX]

If you use your thumb in any other position than the centre of the back of the neck, you WILL get thumb aches and you WILL die.


I get aches in my hand from playing thumb back all the time. I never get aches with thumb over.

[iamabouttopoopEVERYWHERE]

It is a common known fact that most thumbs should be rested on the back of the neck.

But for you I recommend shoving your thumb up your butt and twisting vigorously in a clockwise motion.

[mutant!]

^ Go play in a furnace, you self-important, delusional, inferior POS. I hope your peepee falls off when you spank the monkey.

[FakeReality]

It is a common known fact that most thumbs should be rested on the back of the neck.



No. Not every style of playing utilizes the same technique.

[mutant!]

^ 123. I'd like to see him play a lap steel like that.

[JonG]

I've never put my thumb over the neck. My hands aren't even big enough to.

[achang9]

As a rule, electric guitars have thinner necks, and closer frets, so less stretch work required.

Really you should still keep your thumb behind the neck, but if it causes discomfort and (like me) you can actually play just as well over the neck I don't see why it makes much of a difference. A lot of the greats play with their thumb over the neck, at least sometimes.

I've noticed Steve Vai does it a lot.

Hendrix has done it too.

[Trigger_003]

I get aches in my hand from playing thumb back all the time. I never get aches with thumb over.
T'was a joke dood :thumb:.

[Kapura]

just keep it behind your neck, and get your other fingers on steroids if your trying to get faster fingering..

~KN~

[AnotherGuitarist?!]

If your playing something that needs any type of reach (e.g 1-4) its best to have your thumb behind the neck. But if your playing all the notes/frets very local to eachother, then by all means wrap that thumb.

Thats what I do.

[seerofgoodpeople]

personally i switch my thumb position to suit what im doing at that moment.like i'll play red house(thumb around) then black dog(thumb behind neck) and most the time not notice i have switched.so i suggest trying to be versatile and using both techniques.

[idspispopd]

Put your thumb anywhere and everywhere!