Using The Thumb

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Using The Thumb

Nihilist1 View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 02:54 AM
Jun 8 2012, 02:54 AM	Learning Apprentice Player Posts: 977 Joined: 1-September 11 From: Chino Hills, California	There is a popular blues Technique where people use their thumbs to play bass notes. I have been really good about leaving my thumb centered behind the neck since I have picked up the guitar, so my question is this, how did those of you who played with your thumb in the classical position break out and start using it to fret bass notes? it seems as though I lose a lot of the strength and coordination in my fingers since this is something I am definitely not used to. Thanks in advance for your answers! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- All the elders have fallen down... Heal her now... All the elders have fallen down... Heal her now... Grandfather elk Turned to me And spoke: Light the fire deep inside. Light the fires!

PosterBoy View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 06:25 AM
Jun 8 2012, 06:25 AM	Learning Roadie Posts: 3.179 Joined: 26-October 11 From: Galway, Ireland	I use it for the 3rd in the bass when playing a D shape chord You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My SoundCloud Gear Tyler Burning Water 2K Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers PRS SE Custom 24-08 Ax8 Fessenden SD10 PSG Quilter TT15

Todd Simpson View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 06:51 AM
Jun 8 2012, 06:51 AM	GMC:er Posts: 25.297 Joined: 23-December 09 From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA	The "wrap around" technique with the thumb if perfectly valid for various uses. Blues, country, Bluegrass and Jazz all sometimes make use of this technique. I rarely employ it personally but I've seen it done to great effect on accoustic for example. I strongly believe that no techniques is "verbotten", but all should be employed with deliberate intent, not as a crutch if avoidable. Mastering the "center strategy" with the thumb in classical position is a really good habit to have. As a rule, it's a good place for the thumb, but rules wouldn't be rules without exceptions so if you find a good spot for the thumb, go for it! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- EVERY QUICK LICK! http://bit.ly/quicklickswithtodd MY INSTRUCTOR FORUM MY SHRED JOURNEY (BOOTCAMP) LESSON NOTES/TABS MY INSTRUCTOR PROFILE @ GMC ME @ YOUTUBE.com ME @ Instagram.com ME @ TWITTER

Ben Higgins View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 11:15 AM
Jun 8 2012, 11:15 AM	Instructor Posts: 13.792 Joined: 11-March 10 From: England	It's a good technique for playing stuff like this: E-------------------------- B-------------------------- G---5--------5------------ D---5--------5------------ A--------------------------- E------5--5-------5--5--- Check out PG using it for fretting 2 note shapes like this You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My Lessons My Youtube Channel My Band

Nihilist1 View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 11:34 AM
Jun 8 2012, 11:34 AM	Learning Apprentice Player Posts: 977 Joined: 1-September 11 From: Chino Hills, California	QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Jun 8 2012, 10:15 AM) It's a good technique for playing stuff like this: E-------------------------- B-------------------------- G---5--------5------------ D---5--------5------------ A--------------------------- E------5--5-------5--5--- Check out PG using it for fretting 2 note shapes like this Thanks! I have been trying to use the technique to play Hendrix and SRV, but I am having issues since I am so 'good' with my thumb position. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- All the elders have fallen down... Heal her now... All the elders have fallen down... Heal her now... Grandfather elk Turned to me And spoke: Light the fire deep inside. Light the fires!

Alex Feather View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 03:55 PM
Jun 8 2012, 03:55 PM	Instructor Posts: 4.332 Joined: 21-November 11 From: Los Angeles	QUOTE (Nihilist1 @ Jun 8 2012, 01:54 AM) There is a popular blues Technique where people use their thumbs to play bass notes. I have been really good about leaving my thumb centered behind the neck since I have picked up the guitar, so my question is this, how did those of you who played with your thumb in the classical position break out and start using it to fret bass notes? it seems as though I lose a lot of the strength and coordination in my fingers since this is something I am definitely not used to. Thanks in advance for your answers! Richie Blackmore used it a lot! Smoke on the water and Burn! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Visit my website Like me on Facebook Subscribe to my YouTube Follow me on Twitter

SirJamsalot View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 04:02 PM
Jun 8 2012, 04:02 PM	Learning Rock Star Posts: 1.241 Joined: 4-May 10 From: Bay Area, California	My volleyball coach told me once - you have 2 arms - why limit yourself to using only 1? (in regards to hitting). I'll adapt that saying to guitar ~ you have 10 fingers, why limit yourself to using only 8? (you do have 10 right? haha.) Before playing live, I rarely used my thumb ~ of course I was sitting down back then. When you start standing to play, your guitar is slung lower and your thumb becomes more available for use. You'll find it becomes quite natural to use it.The thumb in the middle of the neck works great for sitting classical style, but when you're on stage, it's a whole lot easier when your thumb is wrapped over the top of the neck. cheers! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- The more I practice, the more I wish I had time to practice! My Band Forum: http://passionfly.site/chat

Ben Higgins View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 04:11 PM
Jun 8 2012, 04:11 PM	Instructor Posts: 13.792 Joined: 11-March 10 From: England	QUOTE (Alex Feather @ Jun 8 2012, 03:55 PM) Richie Blackmore used it a lot! Smoke on the water and Burn! I was almost going to post this too ! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My Lessons My Youtube Channel My Band

DeGroot View Member Profile	Jun 8 2012, 05:58 PM
Jun 8 2012, 05:58 PM	Experienced Guitar Hero Posts: 1.511 Joined: 16-January 12 From: Chicago, Illinois	I just started using the thumb "wrap around" in a jazz swing lesson. It is awkward at first for sure, but after a few weeks with some repetition its... its still weird. Really though, you'll start getting that coordination/strength with it if you keep at it for a while. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! --------------------

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