Anybody got any tips on this? I found I like the potential for flourishes on barre chords with the freedom of the pinky that wrapping the thumb provides, but I also can't find a way to play them consistently without the four highest strings getting muted. Any tips on hand positioning or anything like that?
How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
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Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
Also what neck profile would best accommodate this style of playing? I find that the joint where my pointer finger meets my palm is put under quite a bit of pressure from just barely on the treble side of the skunk stripe on my MIM Strat.
I might look into that for my next guitar that's gonna get the BKP Riff Raff neck and Black Dog bridge that I won.
Also what neck profile would best accommodate this style of playing? I find that the joint where my pointer finger meets my palm is put under quite a bit of pressure from just barely on the treble side of the skunk stripe on my MIM Strat.
I might look into that for my next guitar that's gonna get the BKP Riff Raff neck and Black Dog bridge that I won.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
I have massive hands and yet I had trouble with them when I first started. I found I improved when I tried first wrapping my thumb around the low e and getting it to sound, then slowly adding each treble string one at a time until I could get each string to consistantly sound out when plucked one at a time.
As for neck profile, thinner necks help, but there are other tradeoffs that come along with that.
I have massive hands and yet I had trouble with them when I first started. I found I improved when I tried first wrapping my thumb around the low e and getting it to sound, then slowly adding each treble string one at a time until I could get each string to consistantly sound out when plucked one at a time.
As for neck profile, thinner necks help, but there are other tradeoffs that come along with that.
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
You have to rotate your hand.....
......but even then its not easy. Getting a guitar with a thinner width fretboard also helps.
I simply use the pinky to add flourishes. Its the same finger you need when thumbing the 6th anyhow as the pointer still frets the high strings
You have to rotate your hand.....
......but even then its not easy. Getting a guitar with a thinner width fretboard also helps.
I simply use the pinky to add flourishes. Its the same finger you need when thumbing the 6th anyhow as the pointer still frets the high strings
Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
This is how I play most of my barre chords...my advise is two-fold: Thumb requires less pressure than you think, and getting that high e to ring out can be tricky, but practice makes perfect
This is how I play most of my barre chords...my advise is two-fold: Thumb requires less pressure than you think, and getting that high e to ring out can be tricky, but practice makes perfect
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
This is me as well. Little hands and I don't like super thin necks, so it can be a bit of contortionism to get my thumb where it needs to be.
This is me as well. Little hands and I don't like super thin necks, so it can be a bit of contortionism to get my thumb where it needs to be.
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
I think it is more difficult on a wider neck, the Fender neck width is best (1 5/8"). And I think a round neck profile works better, as opposed to thin/flatter. I had the same problem, and am getting better. Of course, Jimi had very long fingers, I think someone said he could even do thumb chords with the thumb on the 5th string!.
Al
I think it is more difficult on a wider neck, the Fender neck width is best (1 5/8"). And I think a round neck profile works better, as opposed to thin/flatter. I had the same problem, and am getting better. Of course, Jimi had very long fingers, I think someone said he could even do thumb chords with the thumb on the 5th string!.
Al
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
Generally, it also takes my wrist and puts this strange up-bend in it, which has to change if I am going to play anything else afterwards (or before). I use essentially 1 wrist position for everything. I don't want to work that hard.
Generally, it also takes my wrist and puts this strange up-bend in it, which has to change if I am going to play anything else afterwards (or before). I use essentially 1 wrist position for everything. I don't want to work that hard.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
A thin and narrow neck, yes. But the back contour is more important than you might think. An asymmetric modified "V" works wonders. It's not easy to find, but thank goodness it's also not difficult to do the contouring yourself.
A thin and narrow neck, yes. But the back contour is more important than you might think. An asymmetric modified "V" works wonders. It's not easy to find, but thank goodness it's also not difficult to do the contouring yourself.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
Wait... normal people can't do that?
Wait... normal people can't do that?
STLMTLHD79
New member
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
I really don't want to sound like an a$$ here, but 2 things:
1. I have pretty small hands so this doesn't work for me and
2. I was taught a long time ago when i started taking lessons that this is "improper" technique, so i never even wanted to do it. I do see more players doing it and it makes me cringe based on how strict my guitar teacher was when i was a teen about proper technique.
I really don't want to sound like an a$$ here, but 2 things:
1. I have pretty small hands so this doesn't work for me and
2. I was taught a long time ago when i started taking lessons that this is "improper" technique, so i never even wanted to do it. I do see more players doing it and it makes me cringe based on how strict my guitar teacher was when i was a teen about proper technique.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
I completely disagree about the thin neck, thicker necks work far better for me. Having it fill my hand reduces the cramping, although I’m far from an expert at it. What that means is try a bunch of guitars out.
The best way to learn it is here:
https://texasbluesalley.com/woodshed/courses/the-grip
I bought that lesson and practiced it for about three months, adding what I taught myself about G form and C form barre chords.
I completely disagree about the thin neck, thicker necks work far better for me. Having it fill my hand reduces the cramping, although I’m far from an expert at it. What that means is try a bunch of guitars out.
The best way to learn it is here:
https://texasbluesalley.com/woodshed/courses/the-grip
I bought that lesson and practiced it for about three months, adding what I taught myself about G form and C form barre chords.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
Definitely agree, V or C is better than D.
Definitely agree, V or C is better than D.
gilt.suspect
New member
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
I find it easiest on a vintage fender neck. They are "tiny" compared to Gibsons. The nut width is narrow (1-5/8"-ish) The fretboard radius is small (7-1/4") and very comfortable for chording. I saw it mentioned above about the neck profile being a soft V profile might help, it depends on the shape and size of the players hand. Hendrix, Yngwie, Eric Johnson appear to have large hands and long fingers (It's not fair! I'm 5'7"). LOL! I have a 1980 Fender Lead II that has all these qualities. The Fender classic series 50's Stratocaster has this neck too (with a 1.65" nut width). G&L has a vintage neck profile (Slim C) that would probably be excellent for this but I've never played it because it's really hard to find. G&L frets are more usually more jumbo than Fenders so I'd love to try one someday.
Cheers!
I find it easiest on a vintage fender neck. They are "tiny" compared to Gibsons. The nut width is narrow (1-5/8"-ish) The fretboard radius is small (7-1/4") and very comfortable for chording. I saw it mentioned above about the neck profile being a soft V profile might help, it depends on the shape and size of the players hand. Hendrix, Yngwie, Eric Johnson appear to have large hands and long fingers (It's not fair! I'm 5'7"). LOL! I have a 1980 Fender Lead II that has all these qualities. The Fender classic series 50's Stratocaster has this neck too (with a 1.65" nut width). G&L has a vintage neck profile (Slim C) that would probably be excellent for this but I've never played it because it's really hard to find. G&L frets are more usually more jumbo than Fenders so I'd love to try one someday.
Cheers!
Seraphial
New member
Re: How to better play thumb barre chords a la Hendrix?
I agree with a lit of the above here. I too have smaller hands, and Hendrix chords, a LOT of Mayer stuff and even simple SRV rhythms cause me a lot of issues. Even simple stuff like the Cold Shot rhythm I couldn't do like the guy from Texas Blues Alley showed. I can only do it on very specific guitars with:
- narrow profile. 1 5/8 nut at the most, though I don't think anything makes anything smaller
- round fretboards. Small but important difference, and allows your thumb to wrap more easily.
- for me, asymmetrical necks works the best. I can do most stuff on my Peavey Wolfgang. My ideal neck would be the Musicman Axis because the scooped lower side allows for a tiny bit more grip
- in terms of profile, I prefer rounder vs V. There's somewhere to rest you fingers on a C, vs a V. If you have smaller than average palms a V may work better.
The one thing I found helped me a lot is 'pushing' my palm into the back of the neck. Sounds obvious but I was surprised at how much room I had because I would reach and bar with my fingers, rather than giving me that extension with a push. I think it was habitual because when you play classical or solo, you usually anchor with your thumb on the back and try to keep your fingers and palm as free as possible.
Hope that helps!
I agree with a lit of the above here. I too have smaller hands, and Hendrix chords, a LOT of Mayer stuff and even simple SRV rhythms cause me a lot of issues. Even simple stuff like the Cold Shot rhythm I couldn't do like the guy from Texas Blues Alley showed. I can only do it on very specific guitars with:
- narrow profile. 1 5/8 nut at the most, though I don't think anything makes anything smaller
- round fretboards. Small but important difference, and allows your thumb to wrap more easily.
- for me, asymmetrical necks works the best. I can do most stuff on my Peavey Wolfgang. My ideal neck would be the Musicman Axis because the scooped lower side allows for a tiny bit more grip
- in terms of profile, I prefer rounder vs V. There's somewhere to rest you fingers on a C, vs a V. If you have smaller than average palms a V may work better.
The one thing I found helped me a lot is 'pushing' my palm into the back of the neck. Sounds obvious but I was surprised at how much room I had because I would reach and bar with my fingers, rather than giving me that extension with a push. I think it was habitual because when you play classical or solo, you usually anchor with your thumb on the back and try to keep your fingers and palm as free as possible.
Hope that helps!
