I'm glad I found this. Several of you have put out very helpful information about this topic. I'm 58. I played bass professionally for a long time and took guitar back up about 23 years ago I've always struggled with pain from being too tense, pressing too hard and using bad posture/technique. Vids like this help me to understand mistakes and though it's like learning to play all over again, it's really helping. LOL, 58 going on 17............
@TomasMichaud Жыл бұрын
Good for you! Never too late to pick up music again :)
@SteveKercherMusic Жыл бұрын
Two things I teach my students: palm up and use the strength of the arm to pull fingers into fretboard particularly while barre chording. My Classical teacher taught me this and it really made a positive difference.
@jmacsfuzzbunny3 жыл бұрын
came (back) to this vid for help as i try to figure out barre chords, which apparently i've googled too many times bc i just got an add for a barre aerobic exercise workout program but IT'S THE WRONG KIND OF BARRE 😂
@sapphire61072 жыл бұрын
This is helpful. I've been playing guitar for almost two years now, a real beginner. The sore finger tips didn't stop me from practicing, but when the base of my left thumb started hurting that I could no longer play for about a month, I've been searching posts on KZfaq for this specific topic, and thank goodness I found your video. Thanks so much!
@TomasMichaud2 жыл бұрын
Glad it helped Sapphire!
@R__A2 жыл бұрын
How is your thumb now? I think I’m in the exact position you were in when you commented!! My left thumb is super sore at the base and whenever I apply pressure or try to grip things there’s a bit of pain. Did changing your technique solve it?? Do you still play with a thumb behind the neck or do you have it over the top like hendrix?
@sapphire61072 жыл бұрын
@@R__A My thumb has stopped hurting since. I have small hands and shorter fingers so I couldn’t position it on top of the guitar’s neck. What helped for me though is made a DYI tube made of thin cardboard to wrap around my thumb from base to the knuckle. When I play, the pressure didn’t hurt as much. But I gave my thumb a rest from playing when the pain is bothersome.
@katerynasirko1832 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the video! I feel a lot of good heart behind it and it's both educational and comforting. I've been playing the guitar for about 10 years now, but lousily. I decided to take up lessons - and for all my chord knowledge, my basic technique is all wrong: I can't hold barres properly, however hard I press my finger into the guitar, but the thumb seems to be the biggest problem. I am a short girl and I have tiny hands, so I bought a 2/3 this year, and when I play anything open, my thumb doesn't stay straight but the tip of it bends a little - that's how I can hold the guitar confidently. I was told I am supposed to have my thumb straight and somehow always put pressure through the tip - and I find it hard to move it up or down, or understand how to apply pressure, and the base of my thumb hurts. It's been three weeks and I almost don't practice at all, because I just don't get it and it's stressful to even think about it. It's especially hard to keep it in the middle of the neck - I then have to take my hand all the way front, and my arm front - it's all so uncomfortable it makes me cry! Is it really such a big problem if my thumb bends a little? It doesn't go forward like in the end of the video, just follows the shape of the neck in the behind. Could it be a short arms/small hands problem?
@TomasMichaud Жыл бұрын
Hi, You don't have to keep your thumb exactly in the middle of the neck of the guitar. Do what is more comfortable for you, where you are exerting the least pressure on your thumb. Try several ways as I showed in my video and go with whatever feels best for your hand size.
@nerdmommy7114 Жыл бұрын
Youre such a great teacher! You really knoq how to teach. Ive been watching viral guitar lessons, and most just felt like showing off,ending each lesson with them saying, you know what I mean. I wish your YT success!
@TomasMichaud Жыл бұрын
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed this! 😎🎸😊
@johnphillips7524 ай бұрын
That's pretty much along the lines of how I explain thumb positions. Those of us who have played for about half a century learned through what our bodies have taught us. It's actually more of discovering the ranges of motions needed to get the sounds we're after with as little pain as possible. There will be many epiphanies where we realize something that we have habitually done that makes little sense and then we find a better way. A lot of this can't be taught - it needs to be personally discovered. Tips and pointers can open our eyes to certain things we haven't thought of, but ultimately we will have to go and prove things for ourselves. Enjoy the journey.
@sidnsimone3 жыл бұрын
Super helpful video!! This has really improved my technique and made a real difference in my playing.
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
Great to hear it Sidni!
@timmanc2 жыл бұрын
Excellent video thank you although I am really struggling with the pressure I apply in my fret hand, specifically between thumb and fingers. I find myself holding tight and not relaxing, I’m only two weeks in but it’s really annoying me. I am slowly managing to change between 2-3 chords but the the whole fretting hand doesn’t feel right for me at all..help anyone please 😂
@ryangreig94773 жыл бұрын
Thank you man! had bad pains trying to play the barre chords of Everlong, this should work wonders! Thanks!
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
Glad it helped Ryan!
@MattBorchert7 ай бұрын
Incredibly well explained Tomas. Appreciated.
@TomasMichaud7 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@alokrocks82 ай бұрын
Thanks for the excellent tips.
@EmpressEnergy1012 жыл бұрын
omg it was MAGIC when I tried fitting my arm into my side and fitting the guitar neck where my hand reaches. I was able to play my Cm, Bm, and A#m chord way more clearly (: thank you!
@TomasMichaud2 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome Julia.
@prakashmunger4 жыл бұрын
Oh...this was my query.I can't express my gratitude in words;thus saying only thank you and regards.May God bless you.From India.
@TomasMichaud4 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome Prakash.
@adirabonezc89475 ай бұрын
Thank you Tom!
@TomasMichaud4 ай бұрын
My pleasure!
@behrouzfz2728 Жыл бұрын
Thank you please make more this Kind of video
@nicolesubbotnik31942 ай бұрын
Thank you!❤
@namelesswanderer93153 жыл бұрын
Very helpful. The right way to hold the left hand/wrist/thumb matters and I need to be more conscious of that.
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
Glad I could help, Eric.
@lebichonaucitron60444 ай бұрын
Excellent ! Merci beaucoup,
@ChrisZemdegs4 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@oldguy53814 жыл бұрын
Thanks Thomas
@martynlaverick3405 Жыл бұрын
Found this really useful. Thank you so much.
@totalfootball7879 Жыл бұрын
Thank you
@TomasMichaud Жыл бұрын
You're welcome
@lindsayheywood71953 жыл бұрын
Very helpful video. I have long fingers and my thumb tended to wrap around the guitar neck. I need to rework all my chords with a new thumb position.
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
This can be helpful Lindsay if you're in the early stages. But there are times to wrap your thumb around the neck also. Don't stress over it too much.
@lindsayheywood71953 жыл бұрын
Thanks Tomas!
@joannasalvanou56943 жыл бұрын
Very very helpful, thank you so much!!! Stay safe and happy.
@TomasMichaud2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Joanna. You too.
@ho789jack92 жыл бұрын
Very informative. Thank you. Sir.
@randyclarke48173 жыл бұрын
Your a great teacher, I loved the video. Thank you!
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
You are so welcome Randy!
@randyclarke48173 жыл бұрын
@@TomasMichaud my pleasure.
@0xM2r3 жыл бұрын
That was so helpful!! Thanks grandpa 💙💙
@perarduaadastra10093 жыл бұрын
Greetings sir! Thank you for this video it really helped me. I have struggled with my guitar journey for various reasons but now I am going to be really more patient, if it takes me half a year to really learn the open chords again with the right technique, then why not. I will be more patient and consistent. Also I was always giving up because there is just so much things to focus on, what might be wrong and you just don´t know. Maybe my guitar doesn´t suits me, well don´t give up, try buying a strip it will be easier or something you know? Anyway I want to ask how to find the right technique with these chords, thumb positioning? Should I practice one chord for a week with one placement and if it´s okay I move to next chord. If there is a pain or discomfort then I try playing with different placement for another week, or what would you recommend? Thank you very much!
@moepainglwin7802 жыл бұрын
man..Thank you so so much
@TomasMichaud2 жыл бұрын
You're very welcome Moepaing!
@bwilliamspcАй бұрын
My thumb doesn't work right it doesn't stay straight it kinda gets cockeyed the hole pad doesn't stay against the gutair unless my thumb is over the top. My hands are smaller but it's like my thumb won't sit that way, but my thumb behind my nail on the pad gets pretty sore, is there thumb stretches or something after 6 months of playing I figured my fingers and stuff would stretch but it's not looking like it .
@levisimon52372 жыл бұрын
Really really great video💯💯💯❤❤❤. Thank you❤
@TomasMichaud2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it Levi.
@levisimon52372 жыл бұрын
@@TomasMichaud 😌🫂
@bluesaraceno73284 жыл бұрын
thanks Dad
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
you welcome sonny 😏
@alexgibbons86452 жыл бұрын
How would you mute the 6th string when your thumb is behind the neck for open chords eg c chord , a chord
@arjunk283 Жыл бұрын
👏👏👏
@wesley5nipes Жыл бұрын
I have a question I can't find the answer to. It's about hand morphology and how that affects how you hold the neck. I'm looking at the three minute mark and your thumb is shaped so that the tip arcs back and your pad is on the neck. My thumb doesn't curve like that. It won't curve like that so I have to have the actual tip of my finger just under the nail up against the back of the neck. This feel horrible and painful. I'd imagine that some people's hands are just perfectly formed to hold a bass or a guitar neck while other less so. I can't help but wonder if I fall into the less so category. Do you or does anyone have an insight into this?
@madhubabuv87512 жыл бұрын
Explain about Barre chords..tricks...
@TomasMichaud2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the suggestion Madhu. Here's one of my videos on making Barre Chords: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rdmCqJuWrLStfWg.html
@md.shakibkhan51833 жыл бұрын
What if you have double jointed thumb. Which bends 90 degree backward
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure about that.
@md.shakibkhan51833 жыл бұрын
Well i have that kind of thumb which really slows my progression technique and all the common rules
@jmacsfuzzbunny4 жыл бұрын
I can't get over the tiny fleur de lis 😂
@TomasMichaud3 жыл бұрын
😌
@richardjones28112 жыл бұрын
Awful example to be taught. Your shoulders aren't level, hips aren't level and you're right handed resting the guitar on the left leg. Is this a joke video?