guitar thumb position "neck" ?

Question

Please advise thumb placement when playing guitar.

What point on your thumb do you put on the guitar neck.

do you rest the fatty part of your thumb in center of neck?

Or do you have a slight bend in small nuckel.

There is practically no info on this on the web.

Answer 1

Camp-fire style? I use my thumb for bass playing while picking treble leads or vice-versa ala Chet Atkins's style. I've played that method for over 51 years and it works for me. I use my little finger and forefinger to pick out the lead notes while my thumb is on the bass strings.

I use all the digits of my hands when I play guitar. That's what they were made to do. If I need to steady the neck of the guitar I can do so with the heel of my hand while thumbing the sixth and the fifth strings as necessary.

Answer 2

It depends on who you ask. Classical players keep the small knuckle of the thumb positioned so that you could draw a line straight through the fretboard from the fingertips to the thumb. this position works well for barre chords and for fast scale passages.
To bend strings like a rock god, you need the strength and support that comes from bringing the thumb over the top of the neck. This position allows you to squeeze 'em like you mean it..., plus it angers the classical players no end!
I alternate between both of these positions depending on the style of music I'm playing.

Answer 3

What style are you playing? If you play classical style or want good finger position for speed and dexterity, the rule is typically to keep the thumb opposite your middle finger. Without the guitar in your hands, touch your thumb to your middle finger. That is close to what you want it to look like when you hold the guitar.

Your thumb shouldn't be completely flat on the back of the neck - there should be a slight bend in your knuckle. It should be a natural position with little tension in the fingers, wrist, and tendon.

If you play camp-fire style, you might just let the thumb slide up around the neck, and depending on how big your hands are, you could potentially use the thumb to play notes on the 6th string. However, that won't give you a lot of freedom to play individual notes quickly!

Answer 4

Just let it slide up, and down the neck naturally. When holding the E string on a chord, the contact is somewhere between the tip, and first joint.

Answer 5

Straight up, behind the neck flat

THe first joint from the top of the thumb (nail) down is usually dead CENTER down the neck.

Answer 6

I use my thumb for balance, not for chording. So, try cradeling the neck in your thumb pad, moving it to a comfortable position for chording with your fingers. You may find that sometimes the tip of your thumb will hold the neck or the second nuckle will do fine. It is up to your comfort and balanceing of your hand.