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Posted by: Bofmar Dec 28 2011, 11:45 PM

I was trying to do this excersise http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/fingers-independence-I/ today but i found myself unable to.You see in order to reach the low E string i have to bend my wrist in a really akward manner (kinda painful too).So I thought that this might have something to do with the way I position my left hand on the guitar.Sadly I cannot upload a picture of it at the moment but I was wandering if someon could post me a photo of where and how should my thumb be resting so I can use that as a guidance to what to do,or to direct me to a lesson about this.Thank you all in advance!

Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Dec 29 2011, 12:00 AM

To begin with I would put a question: Do you practice standing up or sitting? it is very important ..
While standing your wrist have much higher pressure than in a sitting position !!

Posted by: Bofmar Dec 29 2011, 12:03 AM

QUOTE (Sinisa Cekic @ Dec 28 2011, 11:00 PM)

Posted by: PosterBoy Dec 29 2011, 08:33 AM

Try crossing your right leg over your left to raise the height of the guitar on your lap, or using a foot stool.

That lesson looks so easy and straight forward, but it makes me feel like I've picked up the guitar for the first time.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Dec 29 2011, 09:13 AM

Hey man! An image should help indeed, but by holding the guitar on your left leg and keeping the thumb somewhere in the middle of the neck when playing, you should get it done (I am trying it on myself now)

Posted by: Bossie Dec 29 2011, 12:19 PM

mmmm could be that your neck is too horizontal for you in that position..and thus too far.

Bring it up a bit ..slash style or classical style...;just a thought

Posted by: Nihilist1 Dec 29 2011, 06:38 PM

Back when I first started doing finger independence exercises a couple years ago, I experienced the same problem. I can't say for certain because I am not there with you, but I would assume that you are using far too much pressure when you push down on the strings. Aside from fixing my tension issues with my picking hand, I have started fretting very lightly again. Remember to only use as much pressure as you absolutely have to when fretting. The pain factor should go away after practicing that way for a little bit.

Cosmin's advice will do you a world of good as well. If you aren't already doing it that is. I have found that unless I am doing bends, it is pointless to play with my thumb anywhere except the middle of the neck. Right behind my middle finger.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jan 1 2012, 09:39 PM

Notice that Danilo has the guitar very comfortably set to serve his arm just right so that you don't need to make any extra effort.

Of course at first, it will take a bit of adjusting and playing guitar is not too natural for our hands any way so getting them used to it is necessary.

Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jan 2 2012, 11:17 AM

Hey Bofmar! Any improvements so far with the positioning? Let us know if we can help further