To thumb or not to Thumb

You_Enjoy_Myself · Post by **You_Enjoy_Myself** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:45 pm

So how many people use their thumb to fret notes on the low E? I started doing it when I started learning some Eric Clapton and John Mayer. By using your thumb on the low E or even the A, then it frees up your other 4 finger for more complex chord voicings.

jsgksu · Post by **jsgksu** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:47 pm

Thumbs up

Matty Boom · Post by **Matty Boom** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:47 pm

yea, it's a great thing to work on

Snyder · Post by **Snyder** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:51 pm

Thumbs up for me too. Even though I know some self proclaimed guitar purists who absolutly think it's a guitar sin, fuck em.

jsgksu · Post by **jsgksu** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:53 pm

Snyder wrote:Thumbs up for me too. Even though I know some self proclaimed guitar purists who absolutly think it's a guitar sin, fuck em.

I almost got a B in guitar 1 at college for not tucking my thumb down on open chords. I just used it to mute it on the open e and thumb hard chords and he said it was soooooo bad for me, fuck him too

Beauford33 · Post by **Beauford33** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:55 pm

I use my thumb.

You_Enjoy_Myself · Post by **You_Enjoy_Myself** » Mon May 24, 2004 5:56 pm

I guess people who are just starting, should try and keep their thumb plastered to the back of the neck, just to start off with good habits and make sure that all the strings are ringing cleanly

whatshername · Post by **whatshername** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:13 pm

i don't use my thumb..but that's just because i have little hands and it doesn't reach.

Beauford33 · Post by **Beauford33** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:16 pm

I thumbed a chick once

Matty Boom · Post by **Matty Boom** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:19 pm

i thumbed a ride once

Jer1400 · Post by **Jer1400** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:21 pm

I use my thumb to mute, too. Like in an open D maj. or something.

Matty Boom · Post by **Matty Boom** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:35 pm

add an F# bass note to those open D's, it works nicely

Beauford33 · Post by **Beauford33** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:37 pm

yeah, the thumb is under rated.

chosta · Post by **chosta** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:41 pm

i hate my goddamn small hands. i can pull off fretting like, the same fret i'm using my index on. ie 3x345x, but mayer/stevie move it up even with their middle/pinky fingers, and i hate it. like the 4x435x (i think) on lenny, i have to fret the low E with my middle finger and screw things up
bah

Davy28 · Post by **Davy28** » Mon May 24, 2004 9:08 pm

I do, when its too awkward to use other fingers, like on #40.