Screwed up my left thumb...

Cygnusx2112 · #1 01-14-2008, 05:16 PM

Hey guys,

So I was taking advice that was given in a previous thread about improving my fretting hand, which was to put the thumb behind the board. I could do it, and it was a lot more comfortable, but I didn't really notice a difference between having my thumb behind the neck versus over it. Anyways, it was working out great, for some of my fretting anyways, and I thought that it would also look a lot better. I have been under the assumption that the thumb is parallel to the board, not perpendicular, so I was doing this and pulled a muscle in my thumb! doesn't hurt all the time, but it's quite annoying, and I have to refrain from positioning my thumb the way I was. Unfortunately this is obviously not really helping me improve my technique because it hurts to put it back in that position. It's been about a week and a half and isn't improving. Moving it all the time I would guess doesn't help much. So, I have three options:
1. Play the way I was before this epidemic
or
2. Play the comfier way and risk wrecking my thumb again, after it has healed, obviously.
3. Perpendicular to the board?

What do you guys think? I mean, it's still totally mobile, but it can get slightly annoying.

Thanks,
Your freindly neighborhood n00b,
Trav

Wootsticks · #2 01-14-2008, 06:06 PM

Your thumb isn't supposed to help press down the strings, it's supposed to at as a guide to help you know where your hand is. Play without your thumb on the neck at all for a while, you finger strength will VASTLY improve.

tjh · #3 01-14-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wootsticks

Your thumb isn't supposed to help press down the strings, it's supposed to at as a guide to help you know where your hand is. Play without your thumb on the neck at all for a while, you finger strength will VASTLY improve.

+100 ... this is your fourth option, and the one that will do the most to enhance your fretting hand skill, speed, and overall control of the board .. and finger strength and coordination as mentioned ... I learned this all the hard way too, broke my thumb many years ago and had no choice but to play without it ... give it a shot until your thumb heals ... it is a great practice technique for even a healthy hand too

Cygnusx2112 · #4 01-15-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wootsticks

Your thumb isn't supposed to help press down the strings, it's supposed to at as a guide to help you know where your hand is. Play without your thumb on the neck at all for a while, you finger strength will VASTLY improve.

How would I go about doing this? Am I not supposed to have my palm on the neck at all? Or just make sure that my thumb does not touch it? This makes a lot of sense though

Thanks,
Trav

Wootsticks · #5 01-16-2008, 05:59 AM

The only thing on your left hand touching the bass are your fingertips. No palm on the back, no thumb, nothing touch the back of your neck.

I would, however, keep your thumb perpendicular to the board to play like this. Not touching it, but when you recover, you'll be able to use your thumb again as a point of reference. And when your thumb is like that you can stretch your hands easier.

Nobs · #6 01-16-2008, 06:06 AM

How are you suposed to press your fingers against the frettboard if you dont use your thumb to achor them?

Yuspar · #7 01-16-2008, 07:05 AM

Sounds like a good idea to improve strength in the fretting hand, but without any contact of the thumb or edge of palm how do you keep the instrument stable?

Nobs · #8 01-16-2008, 11:08 AM

Jeah, I think someone should explain us in detail how one should do this, because two thirds dont know how to do this!!
How should you stabelise the instrument? Should one sit or stand with the bass?

tjh · #9 01-16-2008, 12:05 PM

I position the neck in finger 'fold' closest to the palm of my index finger ... so the the lower edge of the neck is actually 'resting' on the furthermost 'edge' of the palm closest to the start of the fingers ... this is very tough to describe, and I would assume that each persons finger/hand size would be the deciding factor as to placement that works for you ... also mentioned was to keep the thumb perpendicular to the neck, about an inch or two away from the back of the neck ... remember though, that my thumb was broke and pinned, so this is just the most comfortable for me ... playing this way will take you off of the 'pads' of the finger, and force you to use your fingertips more ... when I look down when playing this way, I can see the entire palm of my hand looking straight up at me, except where the edge of the neck is resting ... if you put your hand out in front of you, without the bass, palm up, fingers spread, then fold the fingers in slightly without flexing the palm (alternate wiggling each), this would give you the idea ... I do have LARGE hands, so like mentioned, you may need to adapt slightly to what works for you ... whatever you do it should feel very relaxed in the thumb and palm area, with your fingertips doing the work ... sitting or standing, does not matter, but obviously you need to sling your bass high enough ... it is probably easiest to do effortlessly when seated