Tricks for stopping the fretting hand thumb from pointing to the headstock?

[lonestarwings]

Hi,

I've been taking lessons from a great teacher, and he's been giving me some critiques on my left hand technique. First he told me I was applying way to much pressure on the strings as I fretted them. I seem to have overcome that problem to an extent, now my main issue is that the thumb on my fretting hand tends to point toward the headstock while I play. I don't start out like this, but I "drag" my thumb when I shift position up the neck and it never really slides back into its proper place unless I make a conscious effort.

My teacher says that it's not really harming my playing on basic passages, but that my dexterity will suffer on comlex passages if I allow my thumb to rest that way. Has anyone had similair problems, and if so, how did you overcome them? Thanks!

[LowDown Hal]

LOTS and LOTS of very slow and deliberate practicing. Up and down the neck. 1,2,4 fingers. 1,2,3,4,fingers. Pivoting etc.

[lonestarwings]

Thanks. I will Try doing some 2 octave scales and concentrate on thumb position while shifting.

[onlyclave]

Your thumb should be roughly directly opposite your second and third fingers, similar to the Texas "Hook 'em Horns" sign. Slow deliberate practice is the key.

[lonestarwings]

Thanks. I think the angle at which I tend to hold the bass might be part of the problem. I tend to hold the bass at a right angle to the front of my body, ie headstock pointed almost directly to my left. What I've discovered while practicing is that I think my thumb remains in place better if I angle the headstock forward more....this gives my arm more breathing room and loosens up my entire left hand.