[Guitar Lesson] Correct Fretting Hand Position To Play Fast

[@mikephilippov8735]

Interesting how the one finger you don't even use for playing makes all the difference in your technique. Great video!

[@shaunjacci9457]

Tom hess single handedly saved my playing, I recommend his courses 1000%, I've been playing for 10 years on and off and never noticed I was good at bad habits now any technique is a blessing and not a challenge

[@Randy-lb6sn]

I nearly wanted to cry when I realized my thumb position has been straight GARBAGE since the beginning of my 3 year guitar journey. This helped a lot, Tom. Thank you, and thank you as well to your T.A (Teacher's Assistant)

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

You are welcome. :) Also check out this video for more on fretting hand thumb position: tomhess.net/HowToPlayGuitarFastAndClean

[@jorgewilliam2833]

Tom Hess : You are the best teacher i ever had , by only watching your videos i progress!!!!!

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

Thanks Jorge! :) And awesome about your progress.

[@kwote]

Excellent video Tom Hess! 2 hand sync is super important for playing clean and playing fast and clean. This affects all musicians, which is why I’ve adapted it to scratching and it has helped me master my djing and helped my students. Thank you!

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

You are welcome. Check out this article for more on 2-hand synchronization: tomhess.net/Increase-Your-Guitar-Speed-The-Easy-Way

[@kwote]

TomHessMusicCorp Thanks!!

[@Mr27Fit]

Simple yet effective advice. You continue to inspire me and help my guitar playing improve! Thanks Tom Hess

[@DiegoDellaV]

On point! Especially the idea of combining shapes.

[@tbryant1115]

I didn't get that part... Like A major then B dorian ???

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

This is talking about scale shapes in the key of A major. The major scale has 7 shapes (because it has 7 notes). And the 2nd shape is called "Dorian". Since, we are in the key of A major, the first shape starts on A and the 2nd shape starts on B. All it means is: play the A major scale, starting from the 2nd note (B).

[@jacebastian7192]

It's such a common mistake to wrap your fretting hand thumb around the top of the neck when you play 'anything' on guitar. Of course that position has its place, but when you want to play fast, "shred" stuff like this, you absolutely need to have your thumb 'behind' the neck. Great video, Tom Hess! Thanks for sharing!

[@kenofeldmann733]

You are amazing !!! Just started guitar 2 months ago and started now learning a song and had pain in my hands. And this helps soooo much Thanks for having you

[@andrewb3096]

Thanks for the video Tom Hess. Excellent tuition yet again.

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

My pleasure, Andrew! Glad you like it!

[@lucienrobidoux3692]

Again, Tom, this is very useful...thanks.

[@danweiler4293]

Having your thumb in the right place on the guitar neck makes a world of difference.

[@BuckyBadger513]

I've been looking for a video to explain this for years! Thank you so much!

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

My pleasure, Ryan! Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelseidl1562]

you are an amazing teacher! respekt and thank u!

[@raymondmarboh7699]

yes 100prcent i like your lesson sir i need more thank you sir for this lesson

[@thisxgreatxdecay]

When I place my thumb opposite the index instead of having it curled over the fretboard, I find it harder to use my fingertips to fret the notes, and instead have to use my fingerpads, which are less precise. How do I fix that?

[@joaquinestebandbm7630]

Love your videos!

[@luisfgd100]

Great video. Congrats. Any exercise for development the pinky finger? Regards from Chile

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video :) About the pinkie, focus on excess tension control first and foremost. This is the most important thing to "develop" in all your fingers (second only to general positioning of the hand). Check this out: tomhess.net/Make-Your-Guitar-Playing-Feel-Easy

[@yudipitre5720]

I have a problem holding the guitar correctly and it makes my fretting hand to be incorrectly as well. My chest is full , let's say it like that. The guitar can't be place close to my body. Please advice how, can you do a video for mainly females with that issue. Thank you

[@gabrielavalos9733]

Ok i Will charge batery of phone to watch this video!! I am sure it will be great!! I will wacth it soon!!!

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

:)

[@aidab7258]

thumb placement for playing standing up

[@topindianguitars1061]

Sir. Please make a video on right hand movement (struming) and also want to know how to strum faster, I need to move only 2 fingure I.e. thumb and index fingure or I move hand with arm

[@williamdenton6332]

Great video Sir, as soon as I tried the thumb new position (after getting used to it) I could really feel the difference. The question I have is how to get mt thumb over top of the neck eg, deadening the low E or using your thumb over the top to help with chords. I have tried it and I just can't seem to get it and I just stop. Is there any way to practice using the thumb? Any suggestions would be beyond helpful. Thank you very much and Happy New. William

[@slg9095]

I'm getting mixed messages about thumb position, advise seems to be to have it behind the neck but then I see pros playing with it over the neck. For me, mine goes over the neck as that's what feels natural. I also have problems with stretch, thumb over the neck allows my fingers to be placed at a slight angle which helps stretch further (5 frets max) whereas with thumb behind the neck my fingers come together and can't stretch as far. I think this is my biggest issue, neither way seems to work for me.

[@eugeniustheodidactus8890]

Tom, do you suggest that absolute beginners learn scales *3NPS* ?

[@udayanmustafi3963]

🎸

[@sidpablo]

Something about wearing a suit and playing a yellow Ibanez looks kinda cool

[@giovannyherrera5582]

Seria posible que estas lecciones se le puedan añadir aunque sea con subtítulos al español para poder aprenderlas? Saludos desde Colombia

[@freedomlovingamerican6567]

I might’ve missed it, what change are you really supposed to make with your left thumb on the guitar?

[@A20Y11]

That's right, wrapping thumb around fretboard limits movements of all other fingers.

[@benmoran6642]

Yeah but it doesn't limit you from being an amazing player I personally use a hybrid between the two positions

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

Wrapping the thumb around the fretboard is useful for string bending and vibrato. So yes, this position is also useful (so is the one where your thumb is behind the neck, when you want to play fast, clean and accurate).

[@JesusChrist-ss4pz]

Soo what about the hendrix technique that he uses and a lot of great guitarist with thumb over the neck to play rythm, fill and stuff ..shouldn't we be doing that ?? Or we switch while playing fast ? Or dont put the thumb over the neck at all ?

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

The best way to look at technique is based on the music you want to play (not based on how so and so played). Meaning: take any lick you want to (but currently can't) play and ask: what is the best, easiest and most efficient way to play this lick? Then practice it that way. Not every famous player has or had technique that should be imitated.

[@JonathanJimenez_metalriff6]

I like this hand position but I really dislike it when I'm at the 15 fret is this common? or do I just need to learn to love and practice it a bit more

[@TheOneAndOnlyKurtNobrain]

The only thing that this is basically impossible to apply to is the higher frets of a typical set neck guitar.

[@denismanuelroagarcia5007]

Good video, I would like that video have subs in Spanish

[@laufonseca4444]

I understand this concept and logic... But how about great players like Malmsteen, Doug Rappoport, Steve Lukather and others, that play fast but you can see the tip (and more) of the thumb behind the neck? Maybe I'm answering myself and the "what makes you more confortable" applys also here, no? Thank you for the great education.

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

Some people have larger than average hand/finger size and can get away with certain things like having the thumb over the neck (or in some cases, it's simply unavoidable due to how large their hands are). Also: the important thing is to be able to play in the way I show in the video as a foundation of your technique. Once you have the foundation, you can break away from it every once in awhile once you know what you are doing (and depending on the licks you play).

[@Fretboardmastermind]

Ryhthem techniques for metal guitar

[@matadjawa2534]

Help me guys, i've been practicing guitar for 15 years and also using metronome for my whole life, but I can't even play as fast as his demonstration at 1:19

[@Raptorialand]

If i put my thumb behind the neck my wrist starts to hurt ... if i place the thumb along the neck its much more comfortable

[@Pit_Lord]

When that happens it’s a result of too much pressure. Fortunately, all you need to do is relax your grip and the problem will be resolved

[@johns1159]

Tom, your video lessons are excellent, but I think I'm too far gone for your help. Do you think you can correct a myriad of poor techniques, developed over 50 years of guitar playing?

[@jeffreymckeown]

I really want to know how to play guitar while we are standing. It's feel easy to play it when we are sitting, but in other way, it feel totally awkward to play guitar when we are standing.

[@tomhessmusiccorp]

1. Practice more while standing. 2. Raise the guitar strap. 3. Sit with the guitar on your left leg (assuming you are right handed), so your sitting position mimics your standing position. 4. When you stand, put your left foot up on a box or a chair to balance the guitar. Do these 4 things, and you'll quickly learn to play standing.