KillerTofu
Joined: Jan 04, 2008
Posts: 18
Los Vergas, NV
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 06:35 PM
I posted this on Harmony Central as well, so if it looks familiar that's why.
I'm curious about how many people use their thumb to fret barre chords and use their pinkie finger to play different embellishments, ala Hendrix. I learned it from a Purple Haze tab back when I first started playing, and it's the way I've been doing it since. It feels a lot more natural to me to play this way.
Sorry if this is convoluted, but for an F major chord I fret the 1st and 2nd strings with my index finger, 3rd string with my middle finger, 4th and 5th with my ring finger, and 6th with my thumb. I guess I've got sausage fingers
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BillAqua
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 06:41 PM
I do both ways and I think most guitarists do that. Why do it just one way? Sometimes it's easier to shift chords with the thumb and at times it's easier to do so with the whole finger.
Also the back of your neck profile might determine which way is more comfortable.
— "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there"
https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/
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KillerTofu
Joined: Jan 04, 2008
Posts: 18
Los Vergas, NV
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 06:56 PM
That's cool. I'm just curious about other people's playing habits since all I know is what I've taught myself in the 2 years I've been playing.
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benhagerty
Joined: Sep 12, 2008
Posts: 25
Boston MA.
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 07:11 PM
I don't. I know jack white uses his pinky for his power chords.
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 07:21 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 07:26 PM
I don't have huge hands and using the thumb is pretty hard for me. Also, I have a messed up index finger on my fretting hand from baseball days. It doesn't move to the side. I'm curious as to how that has had an effect on my guitar playing.
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verbaddict
Joined: Feb 14, 2007
Posts: 47
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 07:37 PM
I use my thumb to play a what i call a lazy G.
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3796
North Atlantic
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 07:47 PM
Both. It all depends on what motion is happening in the chord.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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WaimeaBay
Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 969
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 07:54 PM
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Mel
Joined: Feb 25, 2008
Posts: 321
Canada's Wet Coast
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 09:34 PM
I've seen it done, but it doesn't work for me. My guitar teacher would have probably had a fit if I'd have tried it at a lesson when I learned to play...:-)
— Mel
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estreet
Joined: Mar 17, 2007
Posts: 839
United Kingdom
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 09:44 PM
WaimeaBay
never
Ditto.
— http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns
Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.
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CaptainSensible
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 647
Leesburg, VA
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 10:01 PM
Nope. I have tried using a toe though.
— Sean
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LHR
Joined: Aug 23, 2006
Posts: 2123
The jungle
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 10:34 PM
I do not, though it might help sometimes.
— SSIV
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surfaca
Joined: Sep 01, 2008
Posts: 113
Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 10:34 PM
i do it sometimes (almost never) but yea.. just for fun.
— Guitar Player in Nahuelaizers
http://nahuelaizers.bandcamp.com
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KillerTofu
Joined: Jan 04, 2008
Posts: 18
Los Vergas, NV
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 10:43 PM
I guess the only advantage to playing it this way is that you can play embellishments over full major and minor barre chords with your pinkie. Not that big a deal but it comes in handy.
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Abe
Joined: Mar 12, 2008
Posts: 1237
Bay Area
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 11:02 PM
 I use the thumb for chords, sliding up or down the neck. What ever i can use it for actually. I do both things for the chord use, its just natural for me. I even use my thumb for playing bass which is kinda odd, but it happens naturally. And I'm self taught so that probably has something to do with the fact that i use it a lot, but whatever, it works for me and i don't struggle at all. 
— The Deadbeats
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Mr_Reverb63
Joined: Jul 10, 2007
Posts: 916
San Pablo, CA
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Posted on Sep 16 2008 11:38 PM
yeha i use my thumb to play barre chords when theres tons of chords that are pretty far apart , its easier for me to shift back and forth with those chords, but i'd rather play barre chords, it feels better to me. unless im playing some hendrix stuff haha then yeah
— -Zanti
Instagram:
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11046
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Sep 17 2008 12:29 AM
I have bigger than average hands and make good use of the thumb on the 6th string. Works really well for sliding the bass note from one fret below mimicking the typical surf bass.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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kilometers
Joined: Jul 14, 2006
Posts: 36
San Francisco
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Posted on Sep 17 2008 01:09 AM
Horrible technique. If you use your thumb to play a barre chord it means your guitar is too low. I was trained in classical guitar, but using your thumb all the time will mess up your wrist. The tendons get stretched in an unnatural way. Avoid using your thumb to notes at all costs. Cinch up your strap and leave your thumb on the back (of the neck).
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Sep 17 2008 01:15 AM
This post has been removed by the author.
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