Who uses their thumb?

[417roylat]

Just want to see how many people use their thumb for the lowE, and sometimes the A string. I started developing this technique a while ago and i feel that it is one of the reasons i have gotten so much better in the last few years. Been playing 8 and 1/2 years, but after 5 i reached a plateau. I began using my thumb, and it opened up the guitar, and chord shapes and positions. There are some cool chords and shapes when you have an extra finger. My favorite shape is a variation of a standard bar chord.

--------------
-10-----------
-9^11--------
-12------------
-x-------------
-10------------

the 9 makes it a Dsus i believe, but when hammer on to 11, its is Dmaj. This can be moved up and down the guitar.
TIP - Instead of playing 12fret on Dstring, play it open. Same thing, but you get that drone(a la Dave). Still play around w 9^11 hammeron-pulloff.

Just curious to see who else plays their chords like this, or similar style w thumb. Open to advice and tips w thumb technique from anyone w knowledge or skillz. ok peace out.

Still Playing... forever, tim

[Appfro]

i use thumb sometimes and index sometimes. i even switch up in songs w/o thinking about it. learn multiple ways to play things. it comes in handy

[dmfollower]

When i first started playing i was learning The Smashing Pumpkins and Billy Corgan uses his thumb for pretty much all of his barre chords and everything else(anything ranging in the E+A strings). So yeah, i use my thumb a lot but i have to say that i've thoroughly become accustom(?) to barring the standard way.
I like stumming a 355403 to a 13321, tough or anything but i could strum those chords forever

[Teego Time]

I tend to use my tumb a lot more when I'm using a capo. But also when I'm doing some funky jazzy chords too.

[taylordb]

i use thumb sometimes and index sometimes. i even switch up in songs w/o thinking about it. learn multiple ways to play things. it comes in handy

Same here.

[MWR]

Yes, a lot.

Try this on for size:

Code: Select all

-7---------
-8--------
-6---------
-7---------
-7----------
-5---------

[taylordb]

Yes, a lot.

Try this on for size:

Code: Select all

-7---------
-8--------
-6---------
-7---------
-7----------
-5---------

I'm at work and away from my guitar, but that looks like a ball buster. At 1st I just thought it was a thumb on 5 with a 7th fret barre...but you thru in the 6 to screw things up
Can't wait to get home tonight to try that out.

[Trippin Hillbilly]

Yes, a lot.

Try this on for size:

Code: Select all

-7---------
-8--------
-6---------
-7---------
-7----------
-5---------

that 8 looks a bit daunting..

Using your thumb rules. I've been using it more and more over the last year.

[Pizzle]

Me

[el Jammo]

i use it, but only when its practical. Versitility outweighs any single style.

[dacanemadness]

I use it a lot. When I'm lazy I use my thumb on the low E and just mute the high E to play barres.

[chosta]

i have small hands, i can thumb some stuff on the low E but i hate it otherwise, i cant play half of mayers shit the right way because he can fret a note on the low E like even with where his index finger is, i cant get mine back that far. hrmph.

[myxomatosis]

When i first started playing i was learning The Smashing Pumpkins and Billy Corgan uses his thumb for pretty much all of his barre chords and everything else(anything ranging in the E+A strings). So yeah, i use my thumb a lot but i have to say that i've thoroughly become accustom(?) to barring the standard way.
I like stumming a 355403 to a 13321, tough or anything but i could strum those chords forever

Billy Corgan's hands are gigantic

[jsgksu]

I do

[Appfro]

Yes, a lot.

Try this on for size:

Code: Select all

-7---------
-8--------
-6---------
-7---------
-7----------
-5---------

i can't play that chord

..ok, i actually got it to play every note, but i could NEVER play that in a song having to do a transition to it.