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Post by creolian on Apr 30, 2017 17:19:13 GMT
After a few weeks of trying to get my thumb over the neck to fret the top string I have a sore hand and it does not look like I'll ever be able to do it very well. I can do it okay on my other guitars but the 1.82 nut on this reso is a bit much for my small hands.
If anything, I'm rocking my hand to get that one note and it just sounds like a badly timed stop.
Does anyone have any advice in how I might overcome this ? alternate fingering like the full barre chord I'm more used to ? a capo? stick to other keys ? Stretching exercises ? Thumb transplant ?
It's a monsoon day here in NOLA, jazz fest plans on hold till next week and my hand hurts too bad to enjoy playing. I am fffrustrated... any wisdom much appreciated.
TiA and regards, Jeff
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 30, 2017 17:32:38 GMT
Hi Jeff,
You're not alone. I have been playing guitar for over 50 years since I was seven and I still can't get my thumb over the top of the neck to fret the low E string. Some folks thumbs do and some folks thumbs don't, is all I can say about that. The festival lineup looks great. Sorry about the monsoon. In the UK we are used to music festivals in the rain!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by Stevie on Apr 30, 2017 17:51:00 GMT
Having no self teaching ability, I started out with two years of classical tuition on a relatively wide and flat fretboard. Left hand thumb work was battered out of me before it got any chance. I genuinely do not regret that in the slightest because it forced me to focus on the full barre approach. I believe that left hand thumb work restricts what you can accomplish with the remaining four fingers. When the thumb is settled at the back of the neck, better control of notes without adjacent string muting soon follows. However, I well realise that the genres of music that we are interested in lend themselves well to such thumb work. I still won't entertain it but that's just me personally. Of course a chord is (in most circumstances) comprised of three notes, and carefull selection of three notes allows you to "wing it", but I also realise that you really do need that low note. Whatever you do just keep at it and it will get there. When I first got my MMB, like an addict I played right through my repertoire from the slide stuff we like (which I just blag my way through!) right up to Villa Lobos Prelude #1 on Newtone 15s! No way could (or can) I get away without full barre work on the latter! Moreover, the best way to hold a reso while seated is very similar to the classical stance...
It's just like getting used to steel strings (even the nylons killed me at first!) whatever approach you choose, stick with it and it'll become second nature.
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Post by Stevie on Apr 30, 2017 17:54:20 GMT
BTW, I'm going to N'Orleans on Friday so please turn the rain off for me!
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Post by creolian on Apr 30, 2017 18:23:00 GMT
Thank you guys ! I'm thinking that maybe I'm trying too hard to do something out of my range. I'm going to figure out some sort of comp even if it's a clinker. Michael, I've got no problem with the rain... It's the mud and what it's made of considering the Fairgrounds is a 150 year old horse racing venue  well that, and lightning. Big strike knocked out my power for about ten minutes seconds after I posted this. I worked as a stage manager at the fess for 30+ years so I'll let the more hardy youth have fun in the soup. I heard Billy Gibbons joined Derek Trucks band with Warren Haynes Friday... DOh! |
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Post by creolian on Apr 30, 2017 18:31:05 GMT
BTW, I'm going to N'Orleans on Friday so please turn the rain off for me! Forecast now is clear next weekend... I'm a Roamin' Catholic so I'll say a novena for good weather. Its rare, but the fest management delayed opening today till a vague sometime this afternoon. When this has happened in the past, there have been some incredible jam sessions in the clubs... A visit to the Maple Leaf during the fest should be part of the plan regardless. Have Fun and maybe I'll see you in line waiting for a softshell crab poboy, ymmm! Jeff |
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Post by slide496 on Apr 30, 2017 20:13:53 GMT
On the thumb issue, I'd probably just do it on the guitars I could do it on, and not develop material that needed it on the ones that I couldn't do it on. I can sort of push against the low E string against the fretboard but not wrap and I haven't tried it on a resonator, just my Gibson and I have a Paul Brett travel guitar.
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Post by snakehips on May 1, 2017 5:43:36 GMT
Hi there !
I have small hands and eventually learned my hand position to get my thumb around onto the 6th string.
However, this was mainly for the darker sounding Muddy Waters style B7 chord with the thumb on the 2nd fret, 6th string.
(Think of the standard B7 chord, take the pinky off the 1st string, 2nd fret (and play "Open"), and add the 2nd fret 6th string with the thumb).
The whole hand rotates more around the neck towards the bass side. Not having to fret the 1st string helps a lot and stops it sounding too "happy".
I can't manage to play an F-chord using the thumb though - too difficult.
Any note you can leave out on the treble side to help you bring you whole hand round a bit ??
(I haven't really tried).
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Post by robbie on May 1, 2017 9:28:51 GMT
my lord....I thought it was just me with the " short " thumb problem, or the fact that the thumb knuckle would not bend far enough. as a general rule I try to keep away from the thumb over technic and if that's a problem, then take my finger off the high e string and rotate the hand around to enable the thumb to do the bizz aka the snakehips method....it works
regards
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Post by twang1 on May 1, 2017 10:58:59 GMT
I do play the F chord with the wraparound method, but it took me some time. And I play a massive C-neck acoustic! I recommend this way that might help at the beginning: when thumbing your 6th string do not barre with your index but put your index on your second string (like a F maj7 position). If you need the F note on your first string move temporarily your index to your 1st string and then go back to the second string again.
In this way the thumb sits easier on your 6th string. After a while your thumb will feel much more comfy and you can try the half barre way with your index.
Frank
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Post by Michael Messer on May 1, 2017 11:08:46 GMT
NOTHING will make my thumb wrap around the neck and fret the sixth string. It just doesn't do that shape. Everyone's hands are different and that is often the reason it is so difficult to copy another player's style. There are things my hands can do that yours can't. That's just how it is!
Shine On
Michael
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Post by coach on May 1, 2017 11:51:14 GMT
So spot on, Michael.
I've struggled in the past trying to play versions of quite simple pieces, in some cases frustratingly simple, whether it be chord/note positions or changes/timing. Yet I have no problems with far more technical songs I've written or arranged myself. It's our brains as well as hands.
As for the F…I have massive hands and can get bottom E and A (occasionally D) with my thumb, however I never really play like that. Also hate barres for fingerstyle in standard. Either use another F or if it's a very dominant part of the piece perhaps you could transpose for a different key? I do this all the time because I'm impatient or because I need a better suited key for the vocals. As MM says, sometimes your fingers will never actually form that shape and it's probably counter-productive to keep trying. I suppose there's a knack in knowing when it's worth persevering and when it's not!
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Post by blueshome on May 1, 2017 11:55:17 GMT
I do as twang. Playing acoustic blues you rarely need the full F chord, and when you do, use the full barre.
Rich, I get that MW B7 by mashing both bottom strings with one finger a la Blind Blake (in C) or Lightnin (in E). Haven't got big fingers.
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