# 40 Thumb Usage

Lbacker · Post by **Lbacker** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 2:17 am

Ive been playin #40 at some of my gigs, and i always use my thumb on the low E. But then i popped in Listener Supported and dave use his first finger..well its very awkward if u are to watch it..he switches just for the chord,then goes back. Why the hell dosen't he use his thumb?..its much easier and practical

dmfollower · Post by **dmfollower** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:33 am

If you hadn't noticed before, most of dave's playing is far from easier and practical. The "pointer" on the E most resembles "ibyu" and typical situation". Dave is dave and you are you, if you find it better with the thumb then go with it. it don't matter

Sciaracastro · Post by **Sciaracastro** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:32 am

aaarrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

and #40 and Typical Situation are fingerpicked?!?!?!?!?!?!

taylordb · Post by **taylordb** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:51 am

Sciaracastro wrote:aaarrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

and #40 and Typical Situation are fingerpicked?!?!?!?!?!?!

I believe they are talking about using your thumb to fret the string, not pluck it.

Sciaracastro · Post by **Sciaracastro** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:42 am

taylordb wrote:
Sciaracastro wrote:aaarrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

and #40 and Typical Situation are fingerpicked?!?!?!?!?!?!
I believe they are talking about using your thumb to fret the string, not pluck it.

i thought it after i posted... 8)
thx anyway

DMBartender · Post by **DMBartender** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 7:11 pm

I use my thumb, way easier.

Ranting Thespian · Post by **Ranting Thespian** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 10:21 pm

Sciaracastro wrote:aaarrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

and #40 and Typical Situation are fingerpicked?!?!?!?!?!?!

I've seen #40 with and without a pick, same with Typical Situation. I've also heard a more strummed version of the verse of Typical Situation

Sciaracastro · Post by **Sciaracastro** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:08 pm

Ranting Thespian wrote:
Sciaracastro wrote:aaarrrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh

and #40 and Typical Situation are fingerpicked?!?!?!?!?!?!
I've seen #40 with and without a pick, same with Typical Situation. I've also heard a more strummed version of the verse of Typical Situation

I thought that about #40...but not about Typical Situation!!! I know there's a strummed version of Typical Situation, but i've never heard it...

Kukini · Post by **Kukini** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 12:19 am

Hitting low e with your thumb sucks to me, it's like most of the Mayer songs, like Why Georgia for instance, that I can't stand cuz of the use of the thumb where as I can play it using my index.

6_strings_for_life · Post by **6_strings_for_life** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 8:44 am

I love to use my thumb when I play. I like to use my thumb alot when I play WWYS makes for some fun and it looks cool, and in some ways I think it can make it easier. If nothing else its a good thing to practive for future songs that might use it.

jellyfish · Post by **jellyfish** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 8:47 am

6_strings_for_life wrote:I love to use my thumb when I play. I like to use my thumb alot when I play WWYS makes for some fun and it looks cool, and in some ways I think it can make it easier. If nothing else its a good thing to practive for future songs that might use it.

I'd like to see that. PLaying WWYS with your thumb

6_strings_for_life · Post by **6_strings_for_life** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:14 am

jellyfish wrote:
6_strings_for_life wrote:I love to use my thumb when I play. I like to use my thumb alot when I play WWYS makes for some fun and it looks cool, and in some ways I think it can make it easier. If nothing else its a good thing to practive for future songs that might use it.
I'd like to see that. PLaying WWYS with your thumb

E:--------------------------------------------------
B:-----------------3/5-----5----------2^3^2--0------
G:-----------4\2-------------------------------2----
D:-------5-------------------------2-------------2--
A:--------------------------------------------------
E:-3/5-------------------5---5--3-------------------

I hit the 5th fret on the E string with my thumb after the 3/5 slide. I dont play the whole song with just my thumb, lol

jellyfish · Post by **jellyfish** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 10:44 am

Still even the slide with a thumb looks uncomfortable.

Kukini · Post by **Kukini** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 11:12 am

I don't think he slides with his thumb, I think he plays the 5 on e then 5 on b and then back agani with it.

Popeye2003 · Post by **Popeye2003** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 1:04 pm

I like using my thumb on Kit Kat Jam, on the third chord of the "but only this" part.