A question of position

Rhubarb · #1 November 20th, 2004

Hi Mark

I notice that you show a position for bar chords that you describe as "correct". It is with the thumb centered on the neck behind the fingers forming the chord.
Your latest lesson using the Willie ballad shows you only holding that position in the last chord. For all the other notes, your thumb is hooked around the neck.
I have played doing this for many years, and always felt guilty because my thumb was out of place according to everything I ever read about hand position.
So, what's the deal?
Thanks for a great contribution to music education.
Rhubarb

Kirk Lorange · #2 November 23rd, 2004

Hi Rhubarb.

Yes, you're right, bad thumb position! I find when I'm fitting a melody into chord shapes, my thumb strays back over the edge of the fretboard. I do try, especially in these lessons, to keep everything orthodox, but it just doesn't work sometimes, and I'll do whatever it takes to get the music sounding right. I'd rather have the music right than the thumb position right.

So don't feel guilty!! I don't!

Kirk

Rhubarb · #3 November 23rd, 2004

Ok, so we are both bad boys. :evil: Now, what makes it bad? Seems to me that the best position is that which works the best. Is this true, or is their some justification for the thumb on the back position as being mo better?

Kirk Lorange · #4 November 25th, 2004

I think that you get much better leverage and pressing power when the thumb is correctly placed, but you're right: some things just seem much easier when you let it go where it wants.

I used to play with my thumb curled over the fretboard, but I mean right over, grabbing bass strings with it ... until one day the pain set in and I just had to stop. Something had happened to my tendon, I guess from pressing against the angle of the fingerboard, and I had to stop entirely. It creeps back into my playing from time to time now, as in the movie, but I now know the real reason why it's not recommended.

Spyder F16 · #5 November 26th, 2004

Having the thumb in the right position does help with cramping at times ive found.

But as Kirk said, sometimes you have to go out of the way of textbook to get some things to sound right

.

Rhubarb · #6 November 28th, 2004

Continuing on with this enlightening discussion, what have you done to temporarily ease strain while playing? This can be a real problem if it is a paying gig. I have had to ask the bartender for a sack of ice before to use between sets. It helped ease the pain, but stiffened me up at the same time. (my fingers, that is.)
Ahem, anyway, do you have exercises you do that help, or a favorite remedy?

Spyder F16 · #7 December 1st, 2004

Use heat when cramping... It eases the pain, as well as keeps your fingers goin.

Usually after you play for a bit, cramping lessens.