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Thumb over the neck
Having had a wide neck classical guitar and just switching to my new epiphone hummingbird (named moose), the idea of using a thumb to fret a note never came to mind. Now I’m in the middle of learning girl from north country. One of the chords in this version is a d7 with an F base note. Do twist my fingers in all sorts of ways or do I do as the teacher recommended by using my thumb. Is this an abomination, spawn of the devil or even sacrilegious? Well for the first time ever I tried it and it worked. I haven’t played it enough to be perfect or super fast but works. Even though I feel somewhat naughty and am disappointing my classical friends, I am going to continue to use it and in more places (gasp)! I do live on the edge thanks to Tony
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8 Replies
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I just read your post and tried to play a D7/F without my thumb and it was a brain teaser! For years I played a lot more electric guitar than acoustic and it’s super common to use your thumb either to fret notes on the low E string or to mute the E and A strings. For some pieces, it’s obligatory — there’s no good way to play a lot of things without the thumb over the neck!
Watch Hendrix or Stevie Ray Vaughn for some inspiration in this regard. 🙂
I say, do whatever it takes to play the piece with the least amount of contortion!
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Thanks so much. I’ve had a tendency to only do “proper” ways for guitar but now I realize as you stated that is most important just to play the music. When I think of folks like Elizabeth Cotton or Lightning Hopkins as well as even Tony Emanuel they made MUSIC in all sorts of wonderful ways.
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@Mrfredsporty , this is a 100% bona fide technique. I would say in some instances it is most definitely the easiest way to go. More tricks in the bag the more you can play.
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Cool. Thanx . I did misspeak in tha it’s f sharp but close enough. I’ve got to control my flapping elbow. I’m working on it
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Hi @Mrfredsporty , I fret the low E string with my thumb for D, D7, F, G etc. I always felt a bit lazy doing it and then found that having this option was a great way to emphasize the bass in a power chord or quickly fret the low E for walking bass notes. As @jumpinjeff said – go for it!
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Thanx so much. I’m changing my attitude about the sinful use of thumb and find it is more like “another tool in the toolbox” adding to one’s strength and versatility
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I use my thumb mostly to mute the low E when strumming an open A, C, or D chord in case i miss and hit extra strings. Mute it just right and it gives some extra thump in the bass when you do hit it
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Muting with my thumb is in the future as is palm muting. I really want get into folk blues finger style with independent thumb while playing melody but that may be quite a way down the road
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