Pain in fretting hand thumb?

[majamojablast]

I've been watching a lot of technique videos and I think I'm doing exactly what the instructors are saying but no matter what I always feel pain in my thumb after playing. Is there anything I can do about it? I don't want to just keep playing and end up injuring my thumb.

 

[chris_b]

Lower the action, play with a lighter touch and that should take some of the pressure off your thumb.

Don't anchor your thumb and stretch to reach the notes. Move your thumb/hand around as you move to different frets.

Do you play with your thumb on the back of the neck? You might be able to ease the pain by hooking your thumb over the edge of the fretboard.

 

[fearceol]

You are probably using too much pressure to fret. Every now and then try fretting without the thumb on the neck. This will be a constant reminder of just how little pressure is required to get a clean sounding note.

 

[mambo4]

You are probably using too much pressure to fret.

My fist guess. Gary Willis has an exercise for finding the ideal fretting pressure


I'm surprised almost no one mentions it in all the material out there.

You don't fret by grip
You fret by using your back/shoulder/arm to pull your hand against the string
fingers are for dexterity and accuracy
leave the strength for the big muscles