[__tsidewinder__]

First question: I see that Kirk uses his thumb for the three bass strings, and two fingers for the other strings. I have practiced it so far with my thumb handling only the two bassiest strings, and my three other useful fingers handling the other strings, which I find works better because then my thumb has an easier time, and my fingers handle the other strings easily enough. Still, its different than what Kirk says is best. Should I change my ways?


Next, the F chord. Kirk uses his thumb, I believe, to grab that F bass note. I don't like using my thumb, and hitting that F chord in time is very difficult for me. So, any tips for that?

[carol m]

Hi tsidewinder, I see that Kirk is not on the forum at the moment, I'm sure he'll be onto these questions soon.

I also don't usually use the thumb for the F and I don't think it matters much - whatever works for you. As for the rest, I'm quite interested too, because I sometimes find myself doing that as well.

So I guess that we are both 'awaiting enlightenment' - excuse while I take my pills.....

[Smurf42]

I find myself using 4 fingers a lot, mainly because I learned that way from friends and in the Mark Hanson books. But now that I am getting into the Fingerstyle blues I can see the advantage to using just 3 fingers, and it seems more natural to do it that way.

As for the thumb 80% it is on the 3 bass strings, the rest wherever it is comfortable for the pattern I am playing.....I just never really think about it.....

So I also am waiting..............

[carol m]

Hi Smurf, do you mean 4 fingers plus thumb? I don't think I've seen that so maybe you mean 3 fingers plus thumb as in playing classical guitar?

[Kirk Lorange]

Hi _tsw_

I always say "do what works best for you", but only because that's what I've always done. I'm sure a real teacher would chastise me for giving that advice. I think over the years I've tried all kinds of ways of doing this or that and eventually found my way, which usually turns out to be the right way, the traditional way.

As for the thumb grabbing bass notes, I used to do it quite a lot until all of a sudden I couldn't anymore due to severe pain in the knuckle. I had been playing many hours for several days in a recording studio and the pressure on the edge of the fretboard took its toll. So I stopped using my thumb for a long time. Now, I can use it sparingly.

For the F chord, I find there are times when it comes in handy, usually depending on the chords before and after the F.

[__tsidewinder__]

I kept practicing with using the full F barre for a while, and it got only a little bit better. As soon as I tried using the thumb instead, it got lots better.

Hopefully I won't get that sore knuckle, cause it looks like I'm going to be using the thumb on this one.