I really wish I would've watched this 2 years ago when I started playing guitar so I wouldn't have bad habits that I now have to fix. My advice to anyone reading is just this: Learn how to play right and form good habits so you dont have to come back down the road and do what I'm doing.
@JonahSA4 жыл бұрын
Lowkey Same but I’ve been playin only 4 month
@feonor263 жыл бұрын
Glad read this. Started learning when the lockdown happened
@kylebower81673 жыл бұрын
Honestly if you've built up bad habits you'd be surprised how quickly it takes to break them if you just focus. But also, even if you're not using "proper technique" it doesnt mean you cant play something that will wow someone, or that expresses yourself. As long as you're not hurting yourself with your form, theres not much reason to worry too much about it imo
@lordvenus7999 Жыл бұрын
guitar is art… play with your own style.. no standaritation for this
@rozhan86011 ай бұрын
Exactlyyyyyy!
@Grancie4811 жыл бұрын
This is the most thorough and useful explanation of thumb placement I've ever seen. It is exactly what a novice needs to know. Thanks.
@JulioJustiniano10 жыл бұрын
I can't belive this video helped me out so much. I've been playing since 2001, and the past years haven't at all. Now that I'm back I watched this, looked to restrength my basics, started playing around with my thumb position, and one simple change has ended the usual strains I get from certain scales. Thanks!!!
@bogdy2craizy10 жыл бұрын
''started playing around with my thumb position'' ... you where saved by the word ''position'' there... good call
@externity95692 жыл бұрын
1:12 is the low position my last guitar teacher told me I should always have it. I didn't realize that it didn't really need to be that way, depending on hand size or fret board type. He always told me, thumb should align the index finger behind the fret rod of the fret position being used, yet most on youtube are saying thumb should be between the index and middle finger. It all just feels confusing and controversial now.
@lamontprospect99743 жыл бұрын
A great tutorial. Short, sweet, and to the point. A lot of instructors waste so much time talking about tangential information. This gentleman is right on point. Thumb placement has been a major problem for me as a beginner. I love the way he demonstrates using the pad of your thumb and how to avoid positions that will slow down your Mastery and ultimately damage your thumb. Great job.
@onpsxmember5 жыл бұрын
The thumb position helps, but everyone who is starting out I want to add that keep the frist of your fretting hand straight (only acception are certain barre chords). Hang the guitar in an angle so that the neck points more upwards to keep your wrist straight and for easy access to the higher frets. If it's very hard and painful to play chords in the first few frets, check the distance between the first fret and the open strings with a business card. If it there is enough space to fall through, work on the nutslots or have someone do it for you. With a good string action, playing is bliss. All worth it and you can do a lot yourself, just find the videos online. Play, play, play!^^
@KAMIKAZEKITTIES11 жыл бұрын
Can't tell you how much this helped, thank you.
@euphonymusica9 жыл бұрын
this is awesome bro...., even this is useful who are texting whole day, typing whole day,playing any musical instruments with hand...., this is a video which should not overlooked by anyone and also its worth liking and comenting...,thanks
@DeanGl11 жыл бұрын
Cool. I have average or slightly below average hands (a little over 7 inches from the bottom of my palm to the tip of my middle finger. I found that I am having difficulties when it came to chords that require stretching out to 4 frets (especially since I primarily play a nylon string guitar which has a wider fretboard than steel string and electric guitars). Lowering my thumb position for those chords really helped out quite a bit!
@joebustos64134 жыл бұрын
This isn't true. When you learn to use your fret hand you should always remember that your thumb is an anchor and it helps to hold everything together for chords or scales. Your thumb will change position naturally and erganomicly as you do different chords and scales. The thumb has no set position. But he is right about one thing, don't just grip it.
@hamada56005 ай бұрын
That's what he said😂😂😂Baka
@Bravo-Too-Much Жыл бұрын
I see so many great players grab the neck like a bat, just like he says not too. SRV is a good example of a guy who grabs the neck with the thumb over and it always baffled me how he could reach so many different positions with his fingers without muting every string besides the ones he is fretting.
@ShogaNinja12 жыл бұрын
Short Version: As a base position to work around hold the guitar neck like a Big Mac putting your thumb joint in the middle of the neck while lining that up with your middle finger. Pretend you are eating a Big Mac right now and tap your middle finger to your thumb joint. That's it. You got it. It should be said that the baseball grip can come in handy when you are fretting with your thumb but this is pretty rare. Getting too far away from the proper grip can hurt you. Proper form is worth it.
@lucaaljoschakuhn54734 жыл бұрын
What he is saying is good , I guess . But I just wanted to tell the people that are probably reading this comment that you can also grip differently . As A beginner its important to learn what he shows but when you are more experienced you should try different grips. If you do this grip all the time , at least for me, it gets very tiering after a longer song. So the closer your hand is to the guitar , the more you can rest your hand. Sometimes there are these situations where you can put your left hand closer to the guitar , and you should at least try if it feels better for you. If it doesnt , dont do it .You should give it some time tho, because it will not work on the first day. It helped me a lot for longer sessions. You can also search on youtube : Jimi Hendrix bar chord Just to give you an example that also one of the best guitarists in the world uses different grips. ( hendix bar chord is not for beginners tho xD )
@stomachcontentz10 жыл бұрын
These videos are fantastic! Thank you.
@tushardeshmukh78367 жыл бұрын
hands up all who love playing
@bmshadmansakib11423 жыл бұрын
we should need to know where we should put our fingers properly
@bmshadmansakib11423 жыл бұрын
i ve learned that from him
@vimirrors32078 жыл бұрын
Screw this...there is nothing wrong with using your thumb for fretting. Why not because somebody said so??? Look how many legends use this technique and yes it is a technique.
@boguest35678 жыл бұрын
+VIMirrors You apparently know nothing about guitar. If you start off having your thumb on top of the guitar nothing you play will work properly. It will take forever to learn anything because it is an improper way to play, at first. You need to learn how to use your thumb properly and be able to play with your thumb behind the neck for when you actually try to create licks. If you always had your thumb on top you'll never sound right and will never be able to accomplish what you want. All guitar legends attest to this. The only reason they can use their thumb on top is because they've already practiced the proper way their whole life so now they can play relaxed with the thumb on top but if you watch them they drop that thumb when going in for a fast hard lick. You'll most likely never accomplish this if you have improper thumb technique.
@killer74498 жыл бұрын
+Bo Guest look at james hetfield and kirk hammett. they use their thumbs to grip
@stillaliveplus1forme8 жыл бұрын
Fucking Hendrix was famous for fretting barring the EDA strings with his thumb man. Mopst people call him the greatest guitar player ever.
@jt-cosmic-427 жыл бұрын
Yes, I guess SRV knew nothing about guitar. Nothing worked properly when he played either. From what I've read, he has always played like that. I was big into SRV when I started playing and learned it that way myself. It's kind of like having a 5th finger to play with, at least on the E and A strings. It has it's advantages and disadvantages. I don't think it's something you can say is right or wrong. It works for some people, doesn't for others. Not everyone needs to be able to stretch their hand from the 4th to the 9th fret.
@stillaliveplus1forme7 жыл бұрын
Jarrett Trezzo best thing to do is to learn how to do both then you get the stretch and the style ;)
@Izaak24712 жыл бұрын
1:30 correction, sometimes you need to use your finger on E fret
@c0unterac3423 жыл бұрын
Which fret is the E fret that I can use my thumb with? You mean low E string frets (probably 1-3) That I would rarely use my thumb as a transitional to hold fingerstyle chord shapes?
@Izaak2473 жыл бұрын
@@c0unterac342 not sure i posted this ages ago but sometimes i use my thumb on the first fret of the low E string
@c0unterac3423 жыл бұрын
@@Izaak247 personally I only find it needed for second fret
@HCDHR10 жыл бұрын
this is killing my wrist somehow
@user-ru5sw3ss2u3 жыл бұрын
The more you push your thumb down, the more your wrist will bend and that can permenantly cause some damage to your wrist bones. You can fix this by pointing the head of your guitar upwards so it is more diagonal. This will make the neck closer to you, therefore stopping your wrist from bending. I know this comment is old but anyone seeing this comment please follow this advice.
@anandhuanil78013 жыл бұрын
@@user-ru5sw3ss2u u commented after 6 years lol. Dudes probably a pro by now. This happens to me too. I feel like in my of palm vien is gonna pop lol.
@checkcommentsfirst33352 жыл бұрын
@@anandhuanil7801 after some weeks it’s hood
@geroldy45465 ай бұрын
It’s been 10 years lol but do some hand stretches
@chas51314 жыл бұрын
Wow, he shows the proper postion to start with. It does not take him 15 minutes to get to the point.
@RdMrcr7 жыл бұрын
I was worried that I'm doing it wrong, but I'm actually doing it exactly like you! Thanks
@christophergavey74459 жыл бұрын
Thanks man! I haven't been holding the neck, however I was making the thumb mistake...
@InfectedClips9 жыл бұрын
I don't understand why it's so bad to wrap your thumb around the neck. Jimi Hendrix did it, Stevie Ray Vaughan did it? They were both guitar masters. So I think finding what is most comfortable for you is probably the best.
@arnarne9 жыл бұрын
It is true that Jimi Hendrix wrapped his thumb around the neck and that SRV also did so. However, I have noticed that J.H. hardly ever used his pinkie when he played and that is because of his thumb position. Try if yourself and you will see why it is impossible. J.H. and SRV were both musical geniuses and could get what they wanted out of their guitars anyway but for us mere mortals it is probably good advise to position the thumb as in this video.
@madinsomaniac9 жыл бұрын
Thom Seuren thats because they played blues, it is considered okay and even needed to play the way they did when they were muting strings from the top
@icehawk779 жыл бұрын
I agree with the previous responses. Another thing I wanted to add, is that "bat-grip" also lends itself very well for bending - which is probably one the main reasons, along with muting and playing notes, why blues players like to use it. Also don't forget that Jimi had pretty big hands, so he could basically pull off anything with the "bat-grip". I'd also recommend to just do what feels most comfortable to you, and adapt your position whenever necessary: "bat-grip" for blues and classical grip for notes and fast melodic pieces.
@arnarne8 жыл бұрын
+Beraud OK, I am surprised that you can. I certainly cannot but I suppose we are all different and good luck to you and the way you play!
@stillaliveplus1forme8 жыл бұрын
just practice ding both thumb on top and on the back and then when it calls for it you can switch between the 2.
@Sora_official_yt10 ай бұрын
Damn I remember this but forget this suddenly and now I came on your video and made me back to my old tune 😂 am fool
@waiphyotun76339 жыл бұрын
thanks a lot.. i have been playing grabbing the neck with my hand.. i am gonna change now
@Schlgrl_9 жыл бұрын
I play electric guitar mostly but I'm often told my thumb is too low which makes for poor grip. When I raise it even a little though, my fingers lock a shown above..
@Nyghtprowler3 жыл бұрын
Thumb over the E is specifically done to allow for 4 more fingers to play the higher strings. 5 connection points vs 4. Typically you go there play a particular lick and then transition back to a normal position. I would say both are useful in their own way. As a beginner though? I would consider using your thumb to be advanced, so it would be something to toy with later on :) I don't know that I would say it's "Wrong" at all though.
@youngcheetah77123 жыл бұрын
Awesome video improved instantly🙏🏽
@ronin21677 жыл бұрын
He says position the thumb in the middle of the neck and wants it to be vertical, but it you notice, the wider he goes for frets the mover horizontal his thumb is. You can physically only go so wide with how he is suggesting. You have to adjust. Best thing to remember is to stay lose and don't get a death grip on the neck. Especially if you are going for speed. Play with it some and find what works for your size and shape hand.
@rossdsilva52356 жыл бұрын
Quick Tip for Those Struggling : Pick a pen with your fretting hand and check where your thumb naturally falls, that's the correct thumb position behind the neck.
@shahitto053 жыл бұрын
Do you any suggestion on placement of thumb that bends backward almost 90 degree? aka Hitchhiker's thumb. Should I let it do that or should I try to keep it straight? I'm playing for 1 year.
@ebenezerndanyuzwe92922 жыл бұрын
God bless you my bother
@netineti26944 жыл бұрын
Thank you dear for this beautiful technique. I’m beginner no 1.
@invalidusername12395 жыл бұрын
Why is the pressure building up on my wrists now??. Its weird, any tips??
@joshpiliara207 жыл бұрын
Thanks...you're couching really helps me
@roguish7667 жыл бұрын
how long does it fucking take to teach me where to put my thumb
@frogpog696 жыл бұрын
4:50
@pres25986 жыл бұрын
Fox Lemons lol you got me
@pabloZQM8 жыл бұрын
Is normal that my thumb rolls a little to the sides or am i doing it wrong?
@ChrisZemdegs4 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@bzqp27 жыл бұрын
I keep it like you showed - hurts as hell after few minutes. It's because of the constant pressure on the thumb - I have to press the neck to keep pushing the strings...
@deeviggamuzik394010 жыл бұрын
I was already naturally placing my thumb in the positions which Peter advised, but all beginners should see this video, it's essential!
@Mr.LearnLight2 жыл бұрын
Thank you 💖.
@painted_knee3 ай бұрын
THANK YOU PETER
@reindeerbermy3796 Жыл бұрын
thank you fantastic from beginner
@maerski51715 жыл бұрын
i got the positioning of the fingers but my problem is that i use too much force on my thumb bc tapping alone on the fretboard doesnt produce clear sound so i have to exert force it hurts after a long time
@chrisredmayne9 жыл бұрын
Im confused by this I see many guitarists playing the f chord with their thumb ? And having the thumb can help mute strings too on chords ? does it not depend on what kind of song you are trying to play ?
@GuitarCompass9 жыл бұрын
Christopher Redmayne While traditional thumb placement is behind the neck, there are definitely certain techniques and playing styles which call for alterations. The reasoning for this thumb position is to get the fingers and hand in a better playing position.
@dagsbulahao10658 жыл бұрын
ur correct dude...every guitar player have their own hand position to be comfortable
@jthrilla8412 жыл бұрын
ooo so thats how u stretch it out more! thanks
@TheYashu2004 жыл бұрын
Great lesson...Thank you very much
@gracegrace41163 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@TheyWantMeGone692 жыл бұрын
When I put my thumb on the side it creates slight wrist tension. I when I move my thumb higher than half way, it helps.
@Olderabduly5 жыл бұрын
This helped me so much. Thank you!
@angeloamericano12 жыл бұрын
I think thumb positions should vary and 1 rule (thumb low on neck) may not be for everyone.For classical yes but for jazz, blues etc. maybe not I play with thumb up, thumb down depending and use it to fret several chords. Too many virtusos (not me) play with their thumbs all over the place on the neck.
@clinicallydepressedcat34978 ай бұрын
Thank you so freakin much
@matt.noble053 жыл бұрын
my hand, fingers, wrist just does not allow me to hold a guitar "properly" but I play power chords most the time and I put my thumb over to mute the low E, so who cares. it's not hurting me and it's more comfortable for me.
@musicaladda48313 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this
@owengrant9066 Жыл бұрын
I just thought of checking out videos that might help with my hitchhiker's thumb, my thumb is double-jointed. I have been playing guitar now for over 20 years and I am classicly trained. I used to be in a band when I was about 18 and when I played for over 40 minutes my left hand (I am right-handed) would swell up enormously and I was then unable to play until the inflammation went down. Now I am 37 and if I play for more than just 5 minutes my left hand swells up so much I have to stop playing. Any advice?
@bossross9548 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this innovative and helpful video! This thumb placement trick has helped me SO much with the pentatonic scales. Before I watched this vid, I was like "how the heck do you make a clear sounding pentatonic scale?!" But thanks to your help, I found out I was not placing my thumb correctly, so after I followed your advice, Ta da!, I can finally and successfully play the pentatonic scales. If it weren't for you, learning the guitar would honestly be much more tedious.
@DerBesucher12 жыл бұрын
I am absolute beginner (bought a Strat 3 days ago) and I've spent 1 weekend, going through a dozen of videos, trying to find the correct guitar neck position, and the correct left hand position. And I couldn't find any, really. I got the point that the thumb should be at the middle of back neck .... but I doubt it is the correct way, as it is shown at 04:00 . The left hand will sour after 1 minute. Nobody in this world can sustain this position for more than 5 minutes. So, it must be a different position.
@dandanart6 жыл бұрын
Do what is comfortable and put in the hours. This stuff works if you want to strum a few chords while singing but this is not what you want if you are serious.
@BobtheBodybuilder2362 жыл бұрын
I have been playing guitar for 10+ years on and off and always looped my thumb around, today for the first time I thought hmm is that actually the right way and low and behold it aint
@launabanauna89582 жыл бұрын
I’m told I have “hitchhiker’s thumbs. They curve back at the top, if I stretch them straight up, and tight.
@DaneRates Жыл бұрын
I'm learning to play a Strandberg Boden Classic with a ERO Neck and angel Frets. Do have any lessons or know anyone who can teach how to play this type of guitar correctly? Reply ASP
@Gorgun20106 жыл бұрын
What if I just leave my thumb near the ivory lining like a hook?
@paigeguitarplayer Жыл бұрын
I dont think thumb placement matters too much its all based on the guitarists hand size i think its best to shift the thumb position accordingly depending on what your playing its best to keep it 3/4 up the neck but i have large hands so at certain chords and positions its hard for my thumb to not over the neck. Ive guitarists get away with it lol steve vai and jb brubaker from august burns red do it lol
@tonygrimsley12 жыл бұрын
3:11 Ooooh I can really stretch! Hehehe.
@Grand.Master_Cow4 жыл бұрын
I have a I guess child’s guitar, so not a full sized one and these positions are impossible on the small neck of my guitar, any idea of what I should do? No tutorial I’ve found has been suitable for a small guitar
@CombustionMan-hj6llАй бұрын
When I hold it like this my pinky can’t reach the low E. What do I do?
@viveksunwar964 жыл бұрын
Thank U sir
@avinashsharma93574 жыл бұрын
How about the thumb position while practicing the spider excercise.... Plsss help...
@kymcarter58910 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins and Meryl Travis bend their thumb over some times though. Any thoughts?
@Jack-wq7qb7 жыл бұрын
when you play like this it reduces the stress on your hands which means less pain and injury in the long run. Don't take this video as the most practical way of positioning your hand but as the most proper way..like lifting with your legs instead of your back and arms, less comfortable, but you will thank yourself for it later
@godfreybartholomewmwalejnr21558 жыл бұрын
wow this is awesome!!!!!!
@bluto2126 жыл бұрын
Is there a way to develop a callus on my thumb so it will move smoothly up and down the neck? My thumb is sticky or drags with slightest of pressure.
@AB-ny7zm4 жыл бұрын
I kinda grab the neck like the first wrong position he showed. I've been practising Tornado of Souls solo for like 5 hours daily for the last 6 days and I'm having a very annoying pain in my left hand index finger. Guess I will have to change my grip.
@Fairy_nuff8 ай бұрын
I know I'm coming to this video years late but if anyone has some advice I could use it. I have hitchikers thumb, meaning it bends backwards. When I rest my thumb in this position the pressure causes it to bend, and that pulls my wrist forward and causes a sore wrist. does anyone else have this issue or just me?
@GuitarsAndSynths6 жыл бұрын
How do you position thumb on upper frets 18-24? It is tough and no place on guitar to place it?
@siamboi9112 жыл бұрын
Hendrix is Laughing in His Grave
@jefreymeissner29764 жыл бұрын
Siamboi Hauzel Hendrix had hands the size of basketballs.
@Austonnnnn3 жыл бұрын
As someone that plays a lot of Hendrix/Frusciante, I agree. It’s important to learn proper thumb position but limiting your fretting thumb to the back of the neck is stupid. Thumbing the low E gives you so much more ability to play fills.
@mr.rogers76123 жыл бұрын
I think pads of my fingers are too puffy and touching strings. Is this a thing?
@chaggasfernandes7 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@MsChetanrocks4 жыл бұрын
I developed the wrong habits because of John Mayer, Hendrix and srv lol. But I agree with you more as not everyone has long fingers
@lil_weasel2195 жыл бұрын
What I want to know how the tgumb should moveas you are playingacross the fretboard
@MANISHJHON8 жыл бұрын
thanks a lot
@ethanwoo79776 жыл бұрын
This really helped ed
@PaperMacheTea4 жыл бұрын
No thumb over the top: Hendrix and frusciante..... Hold my beer
@johntomaino34567 жыл бұрын
I've had lots of problems with my fingers and my thumb. My teacher says I cannot play guitar. Because my thumb will not touch the E string when I am playing in A minor chord. D chord or any other cord that I need to mute the E string. Can I play these cords without mutant E string thank you John
@TheJadedTraveler7 жыл бұрын
If your teacher says you cannot play guitar for any reason, you need a new teacher. Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath lost his fingertips on his fretting hand after playing guitar for only two years. I am glad your "teacher" was not his teacher, otherwise there would be no Black Sabbath, and my childhood would have been more of a drag. If you have to make some adjustments to how you play because of your thumb, make them. It may help you to develop a unique playing style. But never, EVER let someone tell you that you cannot play something, because there will always be someone with a much bigger handicap out there kicking ass at it because he or she want it badly enough. By the way, if you are playing arpeggios you don't need to mute the string. Also, for A minor, you can still play it without muting the E. Technically it is an inversion this way but it will still sound okay if you are strumming. It isn't like you are playing an off note.
@BenjoCovers4 жыл бұрын
how does this translate into bends?
@oaky768 жыл бұрын
Well now I know, thanks for that I had no idea! :)
@lil_weasel2195 жыл бұрын
I thought that the bent thumb pressing the neck wasnt a good thing. Dunno confused
@strangled_chicken5 ай бұрын
it gets stuck constantly?
@govindmahajan50565 жыл бұрын
Should chords be played by the same hand position? Cuz whenever i try to play D chord with this position, my fingers slip everytime and I'm unable to press strings tightly
@filmychannel97005 жыл бұрын
No, actually d and some other chords work about only when using "wrong" type of grip
@grosslyincandescentgaming51304 жыл бұрын
But what if we have sausage fingers? Literally cannot get my index on the E without bending my thumb AND then it is still hard to move around.
@zeen87258 жыл бұрын
Very Helpful :)
@callum57337 жыл бұрын
You said that the number mistake is putting your thumb over the neck, what did Jimi Hendrix do? If you have big hands (Like me and many others) you can do that as long as there's enough space to play. Completely wrong.
@xFersureMatt4 жыл бұрын
is my thump supposed to be holding the whole weight of the neck?
@swagfordaaays12 жыл бұрын
great video :)
@oliverthorpe11 жыл бұрын
Great bid
@ashleylewis44909 жыл бұрын
What about when playing open chords?, as it stands I'm 17 and have been playing for around 6 years, the guitar I have got is a Yamaha apx500ii (it is a full sized guitar but compared to others is quite small), when playing open chords my thumb naturally goes to the top of the neck to the point where most of the pressure is put below the knuckle of the thumb, is this a bad thing?, and at the same time I am having trouble with barre chords, not in the sense of creating the shape of the barre chord but in the sense that I get really bad thumb cramps (esspecially with barre chords 3rd fret and below), is this because I have become so used to takeing the pressure of open chords with the lower part of my thumb that trying to put the full pressure of a barre chord on the top of my thumb is just too much?, is my guitar too small for me and my hands? If someone could help me out by giving me some answers I would greatly appreciate it, I feel that this is really holding me back as a musician.
@dmdivers9 жыл бұрын
What you're experiencing is normal. Open chords, power chords, bends, double stops, general soloing, thumb over top is normal and most comfortable for most people. Barre chords or even other techniques like legato licks where you have to 'bridge up' your hand, do feel uncomfortable at first. It takes time for you to develop wrist, hand, tendon strength to hold these positions. Just be patient and stick with those positions till they feel no different from thumb over the top stuff.
@ashleylewis44909 жыл бұрын
dmdivers thank you for the advice man, much appreciated :)
@ashleylewis44909 жыл бұрын
Myiphone5 I'm willing to try anything to see if it helps, thanks man
@Forkroute12 жыл бұрын
thank you :)
@jogergerald52154 жыл бұрын
Ma guitar too small and its really hard to do fingerstyle tabs 😥
@suyumivie Жыл бұрын
crying. this is so infuriating bc ion kno wtf i’m doing wrong, when I copied his thumb placement, nd tried to do the D chord, it ws js rlly hard to form it pls, cuz my fingers aren’t long nd big like his so i’m confused asl.
@ariimoanacotter28733 жыл бұрын
No ways bro, my hands will fall off if I play like you
@ariimoanacotter28733 жыл бұрын
3:17 why would ever need to stretch you hand like that though? could probably play whatever that is some where else