Thumb On Sixth String

[bobsguitars09]

What if any.. drawbacks are there on using your Thumb on the sixth string for chords?

[Stackabones]

You could end up sounding like Tal Farlow.

YouTube Video

[ksjazzguitar]

This has been discussed many times.

The main danger is that the awkward wrist position could lead to tendinitis problems. But if you're not doing it the majority of the time, then it shouldn't be a problem. And a lot of it has to do with personal physiology - how long your thumb is, the dimensions of your hand, how susceptible you are to tendinitis, etc. But I knew a guy for whom the thumb thing had caused health problems, so I wouldn't ignore it.

The other problem is that, unless you have humongous hands or really long thumbs, you'll have to change your wrist position from the standard "ideal" position, meaning a loss of time. All that switching back and forth may slow you down when you need it.

And ultimately, most chords are playable without the thumb. I'll confess that when playing solo, I grab a couple with my thumb. I say, if it is the only way to voice the chord, or is needed because of a difficult chord change - then go for it. But most of the time you you can do without it and your wrist and your technique will thank you.

Peace,
Kevin

[billkath]

Originally Posted by ksjazzguitar

This has been discussed many times.

The main danger is that the awkward wrist position could lead to tendinitis problems. But if you're not doing it the majority of the time, then it shouldn't be a problem. And a lot of it has to do with personal physiology - how long your thumb is, the dimensions of your hand, how susceptible you are to tendinitis, etc. But I knew a guy for whom the thumb thing had caused health problems, so I wouldn't ignore it.

The other problem is that, unless you have humongous hands or really long thumbs, you'll have to change your wrist position from the standard "ideal" position, meaning a loss of time. All that switching back and forth may slow you down when you need it.

And ultimately, most chords are playable without the thumb. I'll confess that when playing solo, I grab a couple with my thumb. I say, if it is the only way to voice the chord, or is needed because of a difficult chord change - then go for it. But most of the time you you can do without it and your wrist and your technique will thank you.

Peace,
Kevin

Of course, it's all about what you are used to. If you've been using your thumb all your life, and switch to not using it in favour of barre-ing, you may encounter the same health problems as going the other way- just occasionally using your thumb. There's absolutely no medical reason to favour one method over the other, as long as you are not over-straining yourself. As Kev is saying-a lot is down to your own personal physiology, and the actual angles of your wrist. Here's where a good teacher can help. If you're starting to get sore-STOP. It's not like stretching for notes with good wrist shape, where you can get used to it. It should feel natural to use your thumb if you get the shape right.

[jazzninja]

Originally Posted by Stackabones

You could end up sounding like Tal Farlow.

LOL