How should my thumb be positioned while playing any barre??
Right now I just press it against the neck (with a bit too much pressure), I don't think I'm doing it right
Barre chords
# 1
The same way with open chords or when fretting individual notes. Directly behind the fretboard, but not on or hovering over the upper edge (Low E). Instructors Lisa McCormick and Anders Mouridsen both have full tutorials on this. Also, instructor Christopher Schlegal has a great beginners tutorial called the axis of power, which explains proper thumb positioning.
Am I the only one who plays multiple instruments? Let's be inspirational and find our muses everyday!
# 2
Originally Posted by: onyebuchi_onukeHow should my thumb be positioned while playing any barre??
Right now I just press it against the neck (with a bit too much pressure), I don't think I'm doing it right
The function of your fretting hand thumb is to provide pressure opposing the force of your fingers fretting notes. So, depending on which strings & frets you are currently fretting your thumb needs to move around in order to maintain that opposing pressure. I call it an axis of power. It essentially means to move your thumb around to best oppose your fretting fingers for maximum efficiency.
So, the default, or starting position, for beginners is on the back of the neck. That's to teach beginners not to palm the neck & to learn to position their thumb for leverage & opposing force. From there you can move it around as necessary depending on which notes you are playing.
I explain in depth here.
https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=12188&s_id=605
But there a few other things that might help.
1. Reach more of your fingers around to the strings.
2. Stay a relaxed as possible in your posture & your entire body! Too much tension makes it harder to play. You only need a certain amount of pressure to fret the notes. Experiment until you find that point & work on not using more.
3. Tilt the neck up & away from you a little bit in order to make a more natural arc for your arm, wrist & hand to form.
I cover some of this in these lessons.
https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=13958&s_id=1141
I cover barre chords for beginners in this tutorial.
https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=450
Hope that helps!
# 3
