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Is it ok to wrap your thumb round the neck?

Dan Shipway

Slim Shady
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    726
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  • #1
    I have been playing guitar for a while but realised I had problems with speed but i found a video that said putting your thumb behind the neck helps but it just feels inconvenient, Is it ok to wrap it and more importantly, can i still achieve the type of speed with it wrapped?
    Cheers dudes!
     

    Brian Haner Sr.

    Papa
    Staff member
    Legend+
    Fucking Legend
    Nov 11, 2019
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  • #2
    Depends on what you’re playing. I wrap my thumb around a lot for chords. Speedy stuff really requires that the thumb be behind the neck. Everything good and worthwhile feels uncomfortable at first. I practiced eco picking for 2 years before I used it in public. Shit takes times. Wish I had better news for you. Give it a hard month. If you don’t see any difference and it still feels uncomfortable, you can always go back to what you’re doing now.
    Cheers!
     

    Dan Shipway

    Slim Shady
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    726
    158
    9
  • #4
    Cheers guys, I have been experimenting round a fair bit and it does seem to be easier when doing speed runs, I think I will try to focus on incorperating both styles into my playing as I find that the hardest thing is knowing when it feels right and how to switch but with the amazing advice it should be easy.
    Thanks again.
     

    Dan Shipway

    Slim Shady
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    726
    158
    9
  • #5
    Cheers guys, I have been experimenting round a fair bit and it does seem to be easier when doing speed runs, I think I will try to focus on incorporating both styles into my playing as I find that the hardest thing is knowing when it feels right and how to switch but with the amazing advice it should be easy.
    Thanks again.
     
    J

    Jak Angelescu

    Guest
  • #6
    I can’t play with my thumb around the neck much because I have small hands. But I’d like to say that it’s best to look at what the “pros” do. Like for me, I noticed that players like Slash and Joe Perry usually have their thumbs around the neck almost 90% of the time. But they are very groove-based lead players with a lot of bluesy chops that require licks that use a LOT of bends, in which I’ve understood can help anchor for better bends. If you look at someone like Yngwie, they keep it ALMOST hooked over the top, but mostly just sitting there just in case if they need to. But I think it also has to do with WHAT you’re playing. Like if you take Syn for example here at around 1:14, he’s doing a three-notes per-string kind of deal on the lower frets which require a wider finger span, and in this execution he’s having his thumb completely behind the neck which probably enables that reach a lot better.
    In conclusion, I think it’s based heavily on WHAT and WHERE you’re playing I hope it helps!
     

    Ed Seith

    Supreme Galactic Overlord
    Staff member
    Legend+
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    • Nov 11, 2019
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    Marana, AZ USA
    soundcloud.com
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  • #10
    I did an artist session with Mark Tremonti, and he was constantly getting on me about proper thumb position for legato and scale playing, but felt it was cool to wrap around for bluesier, bendier stuff. All of his speed is thumb on the back. I’ve been working on it. It’s uncomfortable at first, for sure, until your bones and muscles get used to it.
     

    Dan Shipway

    Slim Shady
  •
    • Nov 11, 2019
    726
    158
    9
  • #11
    I hate to be one to bring up an old thread but I have been sticking it out for a while now and have been playing eith my thumb wrapped and I can say that transitions are a hell of a lot easier, I can just choose if I want to wrap it or not and there is little to no hinderence if I choose not to (still feels wierd at times). So I just want to take the time to thank everyone who took the time to help out because I have progressed so much!
     

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