Originally Posted by: Igcuimhne81

Hi

Im practising power chords in F2 and Im having some difficulty with the correct positioning of my ring finger on the frets. It keeps getting a dull or buzz sound.

So I have noticed that the positioning of my thumb is generally in a relaxed, near vertical position at the back of the fret board. So I am trying to position the thumb in a more horizontal position at the back to perhaps give fret fingers a more rigid positon for the power chords.

It hasnt yielded any sigificant improvement so I'm curious as to what position the thumb is for other players for 6th and 5th string power chords. If it is generally relaxed vertical then I can stop trying the rigid horizontal.

Hope that makes sense and thanks in advance for any tips and advice.

Ig81

This is a great question. I had to grab my guitar and actually check this because I've never analyzed it.

Answer: it actually varies. When playing low on the neck, my thumb is generally opposite my index finger. If I were to slide waaaay up the neck, my thumb extends far out.

This crazy shift in thumb position has to do with the angle of your palm when that close to your body, since your hand is actually in front of your body by that point. BUT if you happen to sit with your guitar on your left leg instead (like a classical guitarist) you can get a flatter hand angle and more room when up high on the neck. You might notice a lot of lead guitarists (when playing up high on the neck) will boost their guitar up way higher almost to their chest, and point the neck UP, to get a better angle / access to the high frets.

Also: some people do this (Mike Olekshy), and I'm also one of them: I almost always play power chords with my index and pinky. I find it less awkward and get a more solid grip.

Thanks for posting the very interesting question that was worth exploring! Hope it somehow helps.

-Carl.