32 replies to this topic

[Laura]

frusciante06, on Oct 17 2008, 08:30 PM, said:

Laura, on Oct 15 2008, 10:13 PM, said:

I have small hands, so I cannot do the thumb over the top of the neck thing that John does. For instance, I'm learning 'Can't Stop' and I just don't have enough 'thumb' to play it the correct way. Does anyone else have problems with this? I know that a lot of songs I like would be much easier to play using this method, but my hands are just too small Don't get me wrong, I love my guitar as it otherwise fits my hands very well, but I just can't do that thumb-over technique like a lot of guitarists can...

Sorry you're having trouble with this very useful technique. But I don't have any trouble whatsoever but when I use it too much my thumb starts to cramp up. When I found out that Frusciante uses it, I started to and haven't stopped using it since. What other songs do you play?

Well, it seems that based on other posts that if I keep practicing the technique, it'll get easier so I'm going to keep on trying. As far as RHCP songs, I can play Californication (very easy to play), Under The Bridge (I can play this song just fine without doing the thumb-over...and it sounds pretty darned accurate...one my proudest accomplishments), the main riffs in My Lovely Man, Can't Stop (in my own fashion...but I'm going to diligently practice playing it with my thumb), the solos in I Could Have Lied (not really interested in learning the main chord progressions). Those are the songs I'm working on now...I'm sure I'll pick up more later.

As for other stuff, I really enjoy playing Hendrix (though, again, I don't use the thumb technique that much) and blues-type stuff in general. I just learn songs that sound good to me (and I make up some of my own stuff). I'm more a lead kind of player....but I'm working on becoming more well-rounded (heck, John has to be both the rhythm and lead guitarist in RHCP). That's generally in a nutshell what I like to play. How about you?

[Mad Alchemist]

Laura, on Oct 18 2008, 07:39 AM, said:

I'm glad the technique is working for you

Well, it doesn't really work for me. Some things I can do and do them, some are doable, but uncomfortable. People have so different hands and habits, so some things that are second nature for John will always be something not so useful for me just because my hand is different. I'm totally okay with that and I just try to use thumb-over in cases when I really feel like doing this.

[horriblemashup]

i think you people should be aware that doing this technique if it hurts, is one of the worst things you can possibly do on a guitar. and i mean if you have really small hands and you really gotta stretch out. just dont play with your thumb. theres always a second way around things. with enough practise you could easily play cant stop the same percussive way as john without using your thumb, but using your index finger to get the bass notes, whilst blocking the other strings. really just because john does this doesnt mean you HAVE to, it could really injure your hand and it could become a perma thing. if it hurts because of the stretch, just stop

as for me though, i use my thumb for many things. the most useful thing for me though is to be able to mute all the unwanted strings and play percussively a lot. i often can play entire lead parts whilst muting all the other strings. i guess i have big hands because its really easy for me to mute 5 strings with my thumb. i also use it for the standard things like chords which it is very useful for me because my hands are uncomfortable when playing the "normal" way a lot of the time (i use my thumb for much more chords than just "barre chords")

i have done this as soon as i started playing... it just seemed natural to me. i also never really had a problem learning barre chords, and i always hear people say its a hard technique to get down. i didnt even know people like hendrix and john played like that at first... though, i wasnt really suprised when i found out, it only seemed logical

in conclusion: dont strain your hands because you will really regret having bad hands in the future

[horriblemashup]

another guitar player to pretty much strictly use the thumb-over technique: PRINCE

he even does solos whilst muting all the unwanted strings (if you can find videos, check them out)

[openparachute]

when hendrix did the thumb over, he left out the low fifth. like if you're playing an A major bar chord on the fifth, just use your thumb for the root, your ring finger for its octave, your middle finger for the third, and your index for the high fifth. it relieves stress on your hands and frees you up for fills.

[openparachute]

hell yeah. prince is a beast on guitar. he wants to be hendrix so bad. watch his mouth during his solos.

[Laura]

Hi openparachute -- Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try...I think I have enough 'thumb' to do it that way. It is funny, I didn't know Prince was a good guitar player I learn something new every day!

[1956FrusciantePepper]

Laura, on Oct 26 2008, 04:56 PM, said:

Hi openparachute -- Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try...I think I have enough 'thumb' to do it that way. It is funny, I didn't know Prince was a good guitar player I learn something new every day!

I think John must have very long, agile fingers, as well. My hands are a bit too small to use thumb to fret for most chords, but I could for a few. It takes retraining. But if you watch him play (e.g. Under the Bridge video lesson) and see his left hand covers the neck of his guitar quite easily and he has such great coverage and grace with his fingers when he plays the chords and arpeggios. He's just a master and has good human equipment.

I imagine most guitar teachers would frown upon the thumb fretting thing but oh well.

He is amazing.

[openparachute]

Laura, on Oct 26 2008, 02:56 PM, said:

Hi openparachute -- Thanks for the tip! I'll give that a try...I think I have enough 'thumb' to do it that way. It is funny, I didn't know Prince was a good guitar player I learn something new every day!

glad i could be of assistance

[Laura]

1956FrusciantePepper, on Oct 26 2008, 06:45 PM, said:

I think John must have very long, agile fingers, as well. My hands are a bit too small to use thumb to fret for most chords, but I could for a few. It takes retraining. But if you watch him play (e.g. Under the Bridge video lesson) and see his left hand covers the neck of his guitar quite easily and he has such great coverage and grace with his fingers when he plays the chords and arpeggios. He's just a master and has good human equipment.

I imagine most guitar teachers would frown upon the thumb fretting thing but oh well.

He is amazing.

Yeah, I have seen him play on that video lesson (it is where I learned some better ways to play the song) and he does have long fingers (just like Jimi Hendrix did). He is very agile....I envy his fast-picking skills (just watch some of his solos on youtube....amazing).

[Frumeister]

Laura, on Oct 27 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

It is funny, I didn't know Prince was a good guitar player I learn something new every day!

Prince is way underated as a guitarplayer. Purple Rain is my fave album by the little wonder, hands down!!

[Laura]

Laura, on Oct 26 2008, 08:51 PM, said:

1956FrusciantePepper, on Oct 26 2008, 06:45 PM, said:

I think John must have very long, agile fingers, as well. My hands are a bit too small to use thumb to fret for most chords, but I could for a few. It takes retraining. But if you watch him play (e.g. Under the Bridge video lesson) and see his left hand covers the neck of his guitar quite easily and he has such great coverage and grace with his fingers when he plays the chords and arpeggios. He's just a master and has good human equipment.

I imagine most guitar teachers would frown upon the thumb fretting thing but oh well.

He is amazing.

Yeah, I have seen him play on that video lesson (it is where I learned some better ways to play the song) and he does have long fingers (just like Jimi Hendrix did). He is very agile....I envy his fast-picking skills (just watch some of his solos on youtube....amazing).

Also - I think you're right...most guitar instructors do frown upon the thumb-over technique. When my Dad took lessons when he was in his teens, he had this really stern, almost mean teacher who was so anti-thumb! haha...he said he often dreaded going to lessons. Needless to say, he quit going to that instructor after a short while. I say, use whatever technique is most comfortable to the player and that sounds good!

[Laura]

Frumeister, on Oct 26 2008, 09:21 PM, said:

Laura, on Oct 27 2008, 10:56 AM, said:

It is funny, I didn't know Prince was a good guitar player I learn something new every day!

Prince is way underated as a guitarplayer. Purple Rain is my fave album by the little wonder, hands down!!

I definitely like some of his stuff, but I don't really follow him. I'll have to take a closer look and listen to more of this stuff now that I've learned that he is quite the guitarist!