Problem When Playing Scales Reaching Low E String Notes Options

[Guitar1969]

When I play scales - such as Pentatonic or a Major scales, I have a hard time cleanly fretting/reaching the notes on the low E. Many times when I get to them, I am coming at such an angle from the higher string side(If that makes sense) and end up accidentially pushing the string off the fretboard. I am not sure if this makes sense, but my hands can't reach the low E string cleanly. This is causing me to avoid low E notes on fast runs.

Any ideas on what the issue is, or any way to remedy this.

Thanks,

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[skennington]

Have you had the chance to play a "thinner neck" guitar at all? Might be that what your playing may not suite you.

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[Guitar1969]

Have you had the chance to play a "thinner neck" guitar at all? Might be that what your playing may not suite you.

Both of my main guitars are thinner necks - 1996 Amer Fender Strat Plus(9.5 radius C shape), and 2006 Gibson Les Paul - 60s slim taper neck

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[skennington]

Both of my main guitars are thinner necks - 1996 Amer Fender Strat Plus(9.5 radius C shape), and 2006 Gibson Les Paul - 60s slim taper neck

So the neck is not a problem... How bout your thumb position? Do you "hook" the neck with your thumb?

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[Fullmetal_Tmd]

where do you place your fretting hand's thumb on the neck? do you place it in the middle, or do you have it positioned above the neck?

Edit: dang, skennington beat me to the question

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This post has been edited by Fullmetal_Tmd: Oct 9 2008, 01:35 AM

[Ivan Milenkovic]

Do you keep your fingers at a normal angle relative to the strings when you come down to low E?

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[Bogdan Radovic]

You need to push your opposite-to-palm side of the left hand (outwards) to be more parallel to the fretboard and you need to adjust the thumb position accordingly (which should be anchored comfortable on the back side of the neck).

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[Guitar1969]

You need to push your opposite-to-palm side of the left hand (outwards) to be more parallel to the fretboard and you need to adjust the thumb position accordingly (which should be anchored comfortable on the back side of the neck).

I believe my thumb position is the problem - I have a problem with this in that I am learning funk strumming(Bolton Guitar Funk) and as you know many use the thumb to mute the Low E when strumming. This is really hard for me, but I am teaching myself to do it, and now it is affecting my Scale playing.

I know a lot of teachers say the thumb should be directly on the back of the neck, but obviously the thumb is used in muting too when strumming, so I guess it needs to move around alot depending on the situation.

Any tips for these 2 scenarios.

Thanks
Michael

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[Bogdan Radovic]

Hmmm I would suggest playing/practicing a "classical" position with the thumb behind the neck as much as you can.Especially if you have smaller hands or just can't reach some strings properly with the thumb over the fretboard.(problem you mentioned with low E string).You will use that thumb position in most of your guitar playing..Special techniques/songs you need to play with the thumb over fretboard regard as special and don't let them influence your general thumb positioning.But now that you identified your problem I'm sure you will be paying more attention to thumb positioning and with some practice sort it out.

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