Thumb to wrap or not to wrap?

Caesar_Bojangle

Just wondering how many of you guitarists wrap your thumb(palm) around the fret board so you can actually play E with your thumb like hendrix, resulting in you constantly having to change the position of your thumb for nearly every chord, say for example going from c maj to bm(whereas you dont the other way as your thumb remains in the same position) i reckon most people do this as it feels a lot more comfortable especially for beginners.

Or like me do you keep your thumb in the one position directly behind the B and the high e strings meaning a lot less thumb movement and easier to break into a solo from strumming some chords much more fluid, also the added ability of a wider finger span on the frets. Seldom would i see anyone play like this, even though its supposedly the proper way to play guitar.

Caesar_Bojangle

third option should have be a little bit of both, maybe Oenus/slosh can fix it

Oeneus

Fixed.

I sometimes use my thumb on the E string. For example, when holding down a D chord you are sometimes asked to hold down the E string on the second fret, and the most comfortable way to do it I find is by using your thumb.

But generally, I tend to keep my thumb pressed against the centre of the back of the neck, or lower if I can.

Giblet

Mine just goes everywhere, depending on what im playing.

Gordon

As Oenus, but if needs be for a cool riff then you have to try and get your thumb in there. I am not blessed with a big thumb. (ooerr)

alfonso*

personally i keep my thumb in 1 position,95% of my songs are classical and its just way more comfortable for intensive spainishy pieces

superconor

i never use my thumb when im playing.
what artist require it? apart from jimi?

Oeneus

Jimmy Page held his bar chords down with his thumb on the E string.

Gordon

Ever see that guy on woodstock where he played a whole song with his thumb! I think it was that one that goes like "1..2..3. what are we fighting for?" Course the guitar was open tuned but it shure did look whacky pahr, hyuk hyuk.

Jaicster

I TRY to keep my thumb round the centre of the back of the neck for most things because i was told its a bad habbit if ppl can see your thumb over the neck.

But nearly ever major/famous guitarist i see you can see their thumb so now i don't know what to think, altho try playing a scale all the way down and back up again with your thumb in the two positions and see which is more comfortable
try this using all four fingers

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There finger numbers ^

And go back down again, see if you have to move you thumb to even do it and how painful certain ones are, better make your own minds up on this.

alfonso*

not a move off the thumb when i did it