How To Play Guitar With Your Thumb - Guitar Lesson

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In this guitar lesson, I'll be talking about the pros and cons of using your thumb to fret notes. While it's used by many legends like Jimi Hendrix and John Mayer, this guitar technique is considered a little bit controversial. This is because it requires you to shift your fretting hand into a different position on the neck -- rather than correctly placing your thumb on the back of the guitar neck, your thumb sits overtop of the fretboard, causing your entire technique to need adjusting.
In this video, I'll be going over the correct way to use this technique, why you might want to start using it, and the reasons why it might be something worth skipping. What do you think? Is this technique worth learning? Let me know in the comments!
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📖 Video Chapters:
0:00 - Intro & video overview
0:37 - Long vs short fingers
1:02 - How to fret the guitar with your thumb
7:41 - If you're struggling to get it to work, try this
8:41 - Why you SHOULD use your thumb
13:32 - Why you SHOULDN'T use your thumb
16:02 - So should you do it or not? Here's the answer
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Опубликовано:

23 окт 2023

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Комментарии : 46

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

What do you think? Is this technique worth learning?

@Naminorite 9 дней назад

I definitely believe this is a skill I need to know how to use well. I have tried a few times over the last several months, but each time I've really struggled with the technique. I am an older learner but practice regularly. I am working on CAGED shapes now so this can be a nice time to also make another attempt at 'thumb over' at the same time. I just started tonight with your video (oddly I had asked on other instructor videos several times how to do this but hadn't gotten a reply so it was nice to accidentally find your page/lesson). After starting to give your strategy a few tries tonight (i.e. F shape barre chords of G, A and B so I would move the position around) I noticed a few things: (Maybe you can clarify) Is the thumb only for the E? (am I supposed to also be able to fret the A string as well?) Do you use 'thumb over' on A shape barre? How can we get clarity on the notes on the G string? my pinky on the D string seems to always mute out the G string. Is the high e supposed to sound or be muted? Each time the flesh of one of the other fingers seems to mute out the high e As such, on a G chord for example I am getting the E, A, G and B (accidentally muted G and e) Thank you

@Messihaz 2 месяца назад

as a man with baby hands this is one of the most helpful videos I've watched as I can finally play these damned hendrix barre chords after A YEAR, thank you very much

@andrewclarkeguitar 2 месяца назад

That is so great to hear!!

@massdiongue3309 26 дней назад

I only play Air Guitar but I love to see Guitar player using the Thumb on the top of the neck of the guitar. It’s so beautiful too Thank you for the lesson.

@Naminorite 9 дней назад

The style muted/non-muted at the 12 minute mark fwd was quite useful

@ryujinzzz6050 11 месяцев назад

I play fingerstyle so sometimes using a thumb is the way to go. It’s the most optimum/comfortable way to play some arrangements. Didn’t know it’s considered as a bad habit for some people lol

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

I would say that the majority of guitar players see it as something positive. But there's a fairly vocal minority that aren't into it and think it can negatively impact your progress. Personally, I think it all depends on the style of music you want to play ☺ Thanks for watching!

@johnhaynesmusic 7 месяцев назад

Thanks for the video. I've been playing for years and I've never been able to comfortably play with my thumb at all. I have a 12 year old student that can do this with no problem (with average-size 12 year old hands) and this got me thinking. If my 12 yo student can do this then I should be able to learn how to do this too. I think there's something to the idea that with practice our hands can change shape and adapt. Thanks for the info and I'll let you know after I've practiced this for a while!

@andrewclarkeguitar 7 месяцев назад

That's true! Over time your hands will change for sure. I hope it works for you!

@guitarman704 11 месяцев назад

I don’t have a problem with barre chords but I learned the thumb over method to play extra notes. It definitely has advantages. I play what I need at the time.

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

Yeah, I’m with you there

@KlausDoitschlaaand 11 месяцев назад

Man, I grew up on an acoustic guitar, I know Hendrix does it, and a lot of other people ... but It's an absolute no-go for me. Your video is actually pretty insightful and clever on that, nice! But nah, not my style.

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

Fair enough! Definitely not for everyone. I appreciate you taking the time to watch the video though ☺

@FirstLast-nn2bj 4 месяца назад

Very good lesson!

@patrickfuchs6936 11 месяцев назад

Any technique is worth learning if it fits your needs. Thanx on your insight on that. Never quite understood the anti-thumb side, coming from Rock n Roll, were the thumb on the fretboard is omnipresent, due to low hanging guitars...so I'm down with it, but finally understood why so many shredders and classic players are not. Also, if you play a lot of chords with your thumb, make sure you once in a while stretch your fretboard index finger. Had a video course guitar teacher, who played so much "thumb-style" that his index finger due to always being bend can't stretch anymore, so now he has to play the barred chords with the thumb. (The teacher is also guitarist in a well known British punk band for over 40 years, with loads of albums out and a tour schedule close to insane. So he pretty much doesn't do anything else but that.)

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

Woah! I never even thought of that being a possibility 😅 You definitely don't want to be having to deal with that down the road. Stretching your fingers is super important! Thanks for checking out the video ☺

@baumguitars 11 месяцев назад

I'd always go for what my heroes do, not the traditional teachers :P. Gotta say, thumbing has been one of the most rewarding techniques to learn, because you can keep a root note thumbed while adding melodies on top. It's also much more comfortable than bar chords for a whole song. Win-win!

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

That's a great way to put it! It has been a huge gamechanger for me as well. Couldn't imagine playing without doing it. Thanks for checking out the video! 😀

@davecouto909 11 месяцев назад

I tried for *years* to play bar chords anywhere close to comfortably and I could never find a thumb or arm position that didn't cause a major pain build up in the tendon through the palm of my hand. Going thumb over fairly recently was a game-changer. The Hendrix style voicings that are basically a triad on the 2/3/4 strings with the added root on 6 are really fun to play. And as a bonus you can play other cool voicings like a regular open D chord with F# in the bass. Also, as you say, having to switch between thumb over and thumb behind may be less efficient, but I like the forced large-scale movement rather than staying in a similar posture. I find the ovement prevents tension build up. Although I will probably never shred like Yngwie as a result. Happily that's never been a goal. 😆

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

It's so interesting how even some folks with larger hands find the thumb-over technique to be nearly impossible, and others find it to be much easier for playing certain things. Goes to show just how different we all are physically. For me, the trade off is worth it. If speed is my goal, I shift positions, and that's working fine for me so far. Thanks for watching!! 😀

@davecouto909 11 месяцев назад

@@andrewclarkeguitar I'm not sure hand size is that much of a factor. Mary Spender plays thumb over most of the time and she doesn't seem to have big hands. I think it may be mostly just having the patience to get familiar with the feeling, it is a pretty drastic change. And of course if regular style is working for people they may be resistant to change, or not need to change. But some people may just not be able to develop the flexibility for physical reasons.

@davecouto909 11 месяцев назад

@@andrewclarkeguitar I do wish though that thumb over, and even triads, would get introduced to young players sooner. I feel like bar chords are a roadblock to a lot of potential players. I listen to Norah Jones' podcast and she has mentioned a few times that her guitar playing is limited by not being able to play bar chords.

@0516bfgb-x9o 12 дней назад

Can you do it well with ukulele? It's very uncomfortable than do it with the guitar

@outermarker5801 6 месяцев назад

Frankly, it's high time teachers (of non classical styles) stop with the thumb to the back _only_ thing. Maybe if you want to be a Neo-classical shredder? And even then we've seen blazing fast players with their thumbs all over the place. There is nothing more natural than a straight-ish wrist grabbing motion. Especially if you have long fingers and the typically small neck of an electric. I'm just getting serious about electric after many years and my new guitar feels like a broomstick. 😂 As you said with a good easy setup and a little practice, I'm finding thumbing/muting the bottom E or even muting the A too requires minimal effort. Great advice imho.

@dimplesocktickletit7189 Месяц назад

I have really long fingers but still struggle with this because my thumbs natural ‘straight’ position is really hyper extended backwards like a C shape, which means when I bend it toward the neck it can’t get it even near 90 degrees, but it is long enough to stretch over the top 3 strings, it’s really fucking annoying, I’ve been trying to forcibly stretch it for a while but so far, nada.

@buckrodgers2303 11 месяцев назад

Im really struggling with this technique. Ive always fretted the F "cowboy" chord using the fleshy pad at the base of my thumb to squeeze pressure to fret the B &E strings for the mini bar. This really restricts my movement i have in my thumb. I can either fret the high strings and forget the thunb or i can reach around with my thumb and my fingers scrunched up and are flat muting the strings....not fretting them. Im desperately trying to get this technique down as a lot of my heros play like this, Hendrix, Frusciante, Klinghoffer and of course Mayer & Clarke🙄 Its a beatiful technique

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

Yeah, that's the big struggle for a lot of players. I know a good guitar setup can help a lot, but a big part of it is just improving your dexterity and strength. For example, I can fret notes, bars, etc, without creating any pressure behind the neck. No thumb or palm to press against. So for me it feels like I'm barely needing to press when I'm playing. And that just comes from a well set-up guitar and from consistently working on the technique over the years. For most people this technique isn't something you can learn instantly. It comes from working on it for months and slowly your hand will become more relaxed and limber. I wish there was some special trick I could share, but this video covers literally everything I could think of 😅

@buckrodgers2303 11 месяцев назад

@andrewclarkeguitar thanks for the reply. I think what makes me the most frustrated is... that when originally say learning a "D" chord I would slowly place my fingers in the now very familiar little triangle shape and wiggle, squeeze until the notes rang out clearly. Then I might worry about a "G" chord. But with this technique I can't even get the notes to ring out clearly. I'm sure if I continue to practice like this I will become very good at making a bad chord. Thanks for all you do for us Andrew. Can't thank you enough 🙏

@ARealFunkyMonk 8 месяцев назад

Out of curiosity, what is the radius of your neck? I have a 9.5 and while I’m able to do this technique, it’s definitely a bit of a stretch.

@andrewclarkeguitar 8 месяцев назад

This guitar has a compound radius of 9.5 - 12

@ARealFunkyMonk 8 месяцев назад

I guess I’ll just have to keep working on it then haha. Thanks for the quick reply

@andrewclarkeguitar 8 месяцев назад

@@ARealFunkyMonk it definitely takes some time to get the hang of. So don’t be too hard on yourself! Cheers 😊

@clayfullmer 11 месяцев назад

I wear men's medium work gloves. I struggle with this hard. Maybe I'll try it everyday for a month and see what happens. Tommy Emmanuel says you're hands can change shape... sounds fun. I can get the lowest 5 strings. Its that bar getting the highest strings, woof.

@intersweat 11 месяцев назад

It helps me play comfortably thumb ;)

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

Great!!

@ItsJustRyan89 11 месяцев назад

If you have large enough hands, go for it, if not, don’t try.

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

Yeah, if you have small hands, this one is gonna be tough for sure.

@ItsJustRyan89 11 месяцев назад

@@andrewclarkeguitar my paws are about average, it just feels awkward

@frankm2588 11 месяцев назад

I have average sized hands, I wear size large gloves, and I could not do that on a bet. Any time I try it, it drags my hand down so I mute the higher strings.

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

@@ItsJustRyan89 I'd encourage you not to abandon it altogether even if it feels awkward right now. It still may not end up being something you use, but the comfort and flexibility do eventually come.

@andrewclarkeguitar 11 месяцев назад

@@frankm2588 Might be more of a flexibility issue at this point. This technique isn't something that most folks can immediately do perfectly. Don't stress too much, but keep trying it a tiny bit whenever you practice. Who knows, maybe it'll start working for you in the future!