Hendrix Style: How to Use Your Thumb to Play Chord Bass Notes on Guitar

[@marfg12345]

I finally got it after days of trying to get all the notes to ring out. Here are some tips I think will help if you're struggling #1 - If you're playing on a Les Paul type instrument (or really any Gibson or Epiphone guitar), it's going to be a bit more difficult than it is on Fender guitars (Gibsons have a wider neck, flatter fingerboard.) You can make it easier by lowering your action as much as possible without fret buzz. This helped me a lot, especially with the higher strings. #2 - Try playing standing up (with a strap of course.) For some reason this made it much easier for me. Adjust your strap correctly, you don't really want it too high and if anything having your guitar a little bit lower helps with hand/wrist positioning for thumb over chords. Have it at the same height as when you're sitting down or maybe slightly lower. #3 - While standing up, try to have the neck of your guitar sticking out in front of you a little. Obviously not all the way, but don't have it completely in line with your body/belly, but instead have the body of your guitar almost resting on your right hip (or left if you're a lefty.) This will also help with wrist/hand positioning. #4 - If you're struggling with barring the two thinnest strings like me, try barring another extra string (g string) so instead of your index finger barring the e and a, you're now also barring the g (third thinnest string.) This helps me a lot for some reason, it gives me a better grip somehow.

[@gabegomez12]

Awesome advice. Will keep in mind

[@bungyjacques]

Thanks Man. Great tips 👍🏼

[@liamnorlander6200]

dude tip 4 helped so much goddamn, thanks

[@kevinbass617]

I finally got it after using the tips in your comment and from Justin’s tips in the video. Thank you! And thanks Justin for this super helpful video. Standing with the guitar strap low definitely helps. The other thing that allowed me to finally get the high e string to ring out was using my index finger to bar the g, b, and e strings instead of just the b and e strings. Once I made that small change (as recommended from other comments I’ve come across on KZbin), I had the whole chord ringing out in minutes. Barring all three strings somehow changes the alignment of my hand to where I can get enough pressure on the b and e strings to get them to ring out. And for anyone struggling with this, don’t give up. It’s totally doable. I have normal size hands, struggled with this forever, and was starting to think I’ll never get it. But I finally did. Thanks again!

[@kevinbass617]

Actually, I just realized barring the g, b, and e strings was one of your suggestions :)

[@TomTremayne]

I like Justin here, at the end of the video, pretending he can't do the thumb thing. In actual fact he can do it in his sleep; he's a sensational guitarist & the best teacher on youtube. I've always thought that!

[@cpfink1242]

This is very humbling for me. Been playing 15 years and never needed to use this. Learning now takes me back to learning bar chords and the frustration that came with that. Feel like a beginner again.

[@marnel7787]

This was really helpful! I've been trying to get this down for a long time. Having the palm flat against the neck makes a big difference. And it really helps to have someone actually say that it took him a long time to get it down. It keep's you from getting discouraged. Wish other guys would do that! Thanks Justin! I'll have to check out more lessons.

[@xTitan1]

I don't have an old Fender guitar so I can't see for myself, but if I remember correctly, the old Fenders had a neck radius on the shorter side and perhaps the shape of the neck was such that if turned upside-down (which Hendrix did because he was a lefty with a righty guitar) it enabled the thumb technique. Of course, he did supposedly have massive hands, too.

[@dougsensei]

Thanks Justin. I have a classical guitar and it hurts because it is such a large grip. But this video has at least made me realise that it hurts for everyone to start.

[@TheSchmadz]

I actually find it more comfortable to play like this, so I searched to see if there were any videos and found this! I don’t have the longest fingers, but do have a pretty deep double joint in my left thumb that makes it easier to play like this.

[@NewMetallica]

I remember when I started learning Little Wing and Wind Cries Mary a whole new world of possibilities opened for me. This stuff is essential when you start playing Hendrix ;-) Nice tutorial Justin!

[@howard19]

+JJ King ooooh I came here from trying to attempt Little Wing!

[@malcolmboyd3467]

yeah its good to learn this for red hot chili peppers aswell their guitarist was heavily influenced by hendrix

[@jonsimmons4150]

where did you get a good lesson for those songs? they all seem shit on you tube! too much blathering, over explaining and bad filming.

[@NytronX]

There are different ways of achieving thumb pressure on the low E string. I know of at least 3 different ways, it's basically changing up any combination of the following: grip & finger position, elbow position, arm position, guitar position. For example, this is the Jimmy Page style: With a low slung guitar, curl/hook your thumb, raise your elbow towards the sky a bit (even lifting palm off the neck at times), it will cause your thumb to hook the low E string.

[@markstephenson9280]

After torturing myself for a week on my Les Paul i tried it on a strat and did it first time, the neck width really does make the difference.

[@bobaldo2339]

I have always (for half a century) used my thumb to help form barr chords. That only became a problem in recent years (with the onset of arthritis) because the newer guitar neck profiles were designed strictly for people who took lessons, and were taught to keep their thumb on the back of the neck, classical music style. The old "V" shape neck profiles were much easier for us thumb over the board players. The "modified low oval", for instance is a painful experience! And even the modern "C" can be nearly as bad. It isn't easy to find a "hard V" neck on any guitar anymore, and even the "soft V" necks are hard to find.

[@theelderskatesman4417]

I learnt this technique a long time ago, because I love Hendrix and Frusciante. The thumb came fairly easily, but I still can't hammer on with my pinky while holding a c-shape d chord like Frusciante does in Under the Bridge.

[@Smokinhaze]

I SAW MAYER DO THIS IN A LIVE VIDEO AND YOU SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED HIM AT THE 3 MIN MARK - NICE

[@MarcBrewer]

A fun practice song for this is "Good Rockin' Tonight" by Montrose. The intro is played with the thumb on the 7th fret & playing quarter notes while he plays B, A, and E chords.

[@mindcontro]

great lesson. these type of chords are really just becoming comfortable for me. its finally starting to feel more natural

[@3ggshe11s]

I'm new to guitar, teaching myself, and started thumbing the low strings without even thinking about it. A teacher would probably try to break my habit. But I figure if it works, it works.

[@howardtyler7]

Justin! Thanks so much for sharing the Tommy Emanuel, third finger two string trick. It helped me no end cram my massive hands together and get the thumb to work it's thing without dead strings or buzzing. I was close to giving up until you sorted me out!! Cheers Justin!!!🤘

[@hgostos]

If you use 10-38 gauge strings like Hendrix the whole thing is easier. .... the icing on the cake. Rotosound manufactured in England the Cosmic Light set along those lines for Hendrix in the 60s but the original set was made by Fender AFAIK. I have seen a 1966 Fender string catalogue and the 150 set was already featured in it as part of the regular string set. I think the 150 set was introduced around the mid 60s just as more and more people started playing guitar. To my ears, the 10-38 set sounds jangly, trippy, clean and very, very cool.

[@danspitalnik]

Hurts me so much to do this. :'(

[@alexandersmurr-ferrer7713]

Same, I was thinking maybe after practicing it a lot it would get easier? Any progress for you??

[@briancraig1684]

I found on the web to soak your whole left hand especial the thumb into apple cider Vinegar for about 30 seconds before you pick up the guitar and after playing it This will take some the oil out of your hand and start to dry it out this has help me to start to get Lord Willing

[@danielearbia6331]

So guys did it get Easier for you After practicing?

[@danspitalnik]

@@danielearbia6331 Yes. A bit. I can play certain chords that require the thumb now but most of it is still not doable. I havent really practised enough to be honest.

[@MrSpaenk]

@@danielearbia6331 for me it also was really uncomfortable in the beginning. however your fingers will get more comfortable over time and you will learn to hold your hand more compact and thereby give more room to your thumb.

[@giantessmaria]

this is so freaking awkward! i'm convinced you have to be blessed with humungus hands to master this technique. i can barely do it on the basic d chord w/ f# bass but not much more. 10 times harder on my acoustic guitar. i may just shine the idea of practicing this and use alternate fingerings... thanks again for the fabulous lesson as always Justin!

[@naztubes]

Got stuck learning a song with f chord and thumb over top. Almost gave up but you've inspired me to continue. Thanks Justin 👌

[@urbanobstacles]

Don't cry by guns n roses?

[@naztubes]

@@urbanobstacles Thanks for suggestion, great song, going to try it out 👍

[@marting4941]

Bro, john mayer is also a pretty large dude, bigger hands are always going to attribute to wider finger stretch, the thing thats helped me alot is finger stretching techniques and check out satriani on his techniques, next level playing. As for the thumb your lesson is brilliant advice and very helpful, thanks jay

[@gregorydickman940]

I think people are misled by the whole "Hendrix thumb chord" thing. Hendrix didn't use the thumb wrap in order to avoid barre chords, rather, he simply played the chords around his natural grip, which is the classic blues position. Example: Hendrix absolutely played barre chords. Bm7 with root on the 5th string, 2nd position. He is barring all 5 strings with his index finger. It's just that instead of the thumb behind the neck, his thumb is up over the top of the neck doing absolutely nothing. This is very doable for lots of people. But if you try it, you will notice your pinky is not in position to hammer/pull off on the 5th fret of the high E and B. At 5'10", his hands were not freakishly large. He had some kind of anatomical anomaly where he could use his pinky. Even Neal Schon has to have his thumb behind the neck for this to facilitate use of the pinky.

[@ryuenterprises]

Thanks Justin! Speaking of John Mayer, when are you gonna do another lesson on one of his songs?

[@KsanterX]

Funny how I did this from the beginning of my guitar journey and was thinking that I have a terrible habit.

[@Saskahh]

lol same

[@profd65]

It IS a terrible habit on an acoustic guitar unless you need to play a note on the low "e" string, but even if you do there's probably an alternative to using your thumb that's better. The "thumb over the neck" thing is acceptable on an electric guitar as a way to control string noise, or to play stuff like "Little Wing" or "Under the Bridge."

[@TheBertomunus]

profd65 ... it isn't.

[@AshokSingh-bc1zl]

Do you recommend me doing it, I'm just starting out

[@prasathviswanathan267]

@@AshokSingh-bc1zl Bruh how is it going... Got all the open chords?

[@RandyBakkelund]

I can't believe I didn't think about doing thumb chords before. I'm really interested now! Cool lesson!

[@dallassurfersclub8872]

Thanks dude. This helps. It's gonna take a while, but I know it will be so useful. Also, wicked hat too bro!

[@abhijeetk.c.80]

The stuff you take couple of yrs I learned it in 2 minutes thanks😄

[@zangardak]

thumbs up for jimi everyone ;D

[@sheldon6307]

Lmao fuck you 😂

[@wailnshred]

More like thumbs on the low E string, LOL.

[@stabbysean4895]

When I try it it mutes out the treble strings/makes it unclear

[@banjohumphrey]

I literally started doing this about 2 weeks ago!! Mega helpful :)

[@misterodfox]

This is how I taught myself to play, didn’t know Hendrix and Mayer did it. Never seen a video that describes it so well!

[@misterodfox]

@Alex cooler than yours

[@chrisluthermusic]

Thanks Justin these thumb chords are a beast!

[@michaeltritter2743]

Great lesson! I agree there are no shortcuts on this, having tried off and on for years to make this happen without much success ... yet your tips upped my thumb wrap a good bit right away! By combining the effort I'd tried on my own and mixing in your technique of using the side of the thumb more than the flat, I saw a small but noticeable immediate improvement. Great lesson!

[@JDStone20]

great video! nice tip about muting the E string when playing a D chord!!

[@fenrir7969]

As a beginner, using my thumb for the D chord is easy and is how I've always played D (and D minor). I haven't tried using it for barres though, looks interesting. My fret hand thumb is double jointed and I can move it around much faster and more easily than my right hand thumb so this sort of stuff should be great for me.

[@BigSmoke-bu6ib]

My index finger cannot lay flat across the neck to make a bar chord, but I'm lucky to have long, double jointed thumbs. I didn't realize this was a technique, I've just been doing it since I was a kid

[@CopperChief]

Thousands of tries and I got it. Now I can play yellow Ledbetter. Don’t give up guys. I noticed if my index is directly in between e and b and works for me

[@garybean12]

Thank you so much! Best video on how to do this. I was having a lot of trouble with a 1st string pull off.

[@michelthibodeau8550]

Thanks Justin for that lesson, it helped me a lot with my thumb work !!!

[@studmuffin1212]

You've got some of the best instructional videos out there - thanks Justin! I like the honesty about how long it takes to get some things down. Helps to remember those words when I have a particularly frustrating practice. :-)

[@MAKKISMOo]

Actually I want to learn this technique just to play neon by John Mayer I just love that song 😍

[@iwantanewhead2976]

John mayer sucks..he sing 🤮🤮🤮

[@supaman321123]

@@iwantanewhead2976 You suck

[@lebichonaucitron6044]

Un des rares à avoir une intention authentique...

[@bijoy_26]

Thanks for the tips!Really appreciate that. :)

[@shiggityshaw7912]

Thanks for this lesson. This is something that I have struggled with for a while. Keep up the good work Justin!

[@arthurAzx]

The size of the neck also plays a big role, the thinner the better.

[@eduliborio8]

Another great guitar player that uses this technique a lot is John Frusciante, former Red Hot Chili Peppers. I learned this watching him play. Under the Bridge is a nice example. Good lesson as always, Justin =)

[@thetrump9974]

I came here because of John as well. The guys a literal god at guitar

[@rodrigocortez6099]

These tips make a lot of sense. Thanks for doing this

[@jeanallard7764]

Thank you Justin, I've been looking for that for a while , great video

[@grimjowjaggerjak]

Just started learning guitar 2 days ago and my hands are really big so I instinctively started playing the upper E with my thumbs didn't know it was jimmy Hendrix's style😂.

[@Nancy-wj7mi]

I find it super difficult to keep my little bar nice and clear on my index finger while having my thumb fret the top string....

[@bluebus15]

You're not alone Nancy! I guess we just need to keep trying

[@Bulgariarox]

Great tutorial! I wish it was out when I started off learning playing with my thumb, my hand kind of figured it out itself while playing. For some reason I get faster chord changes and more accurate finger positioning when playing with my thumb up instead of it being on the back of the neck. (I can barely play open chords with my thumb on the back of the neck now lol) I'm still having problems with my high E ringing out well tho for some reason, still can't figure out what's the problem.

[@homeontherange733]

Never heard it explained this way. Thanks!

[@melodyofdestiny]

I always wanted to learn that technique, I think I'll start to practice now, merci!

[@KeBroR]

I found this whole thumb think by my self, and i think it's way better to found out and learn by yourself, because if someone would have show me that, i don't think i would understand thumb think so good as i do now.

[@garryames1824]

Thanks for your help

[@machinianfpro]

unfortunately, i got accident with big stationary saw, my left thumb is stiff, but i`m still playing guitar

[@rcoveyduc]

chilum eversmoking Good friend of mine almost lost her index finger on the left hand same way. It's permanently hooked. Makes a lot of chord shapes hard for her. She still plugs away though. :)

[@jaranadlf]

one of the most amazing guitar player of the history used just two fingers and rest of palm for play.. look up for Django Reinhardt style

[@machinianfpro]

thx, it last bout 20 years, tumb is stiff, but i can play, thx once more, peace

[@fsflip3111]

than stinks, glad you can continue playing!

[@nodealbrexitnow7376]

Wow sounds bad but lucky in a way . I had a friend who was a banjo player , finally he came to retirement and was making his on banjo when he chopped his finger off with the saw, he could not find the finger so lost it. Years later when moving house he found his finger , tragic for him , really.

[@kyledueckmusic7276]

I actually found this easier than traditional bar chords.

[@sph33_]

You're the man Justin.

[@tpaine1968]

I appreciate this lesson...Thanks...very helpful

[@TheWallProductions17]

my issue is with the flattening of the high e and b string while maintaining the thumb..when i flatten those two strings and wrap my thumb around i end up muting the third string notes by accident. does it matter if you hit both the high e and b? its still a major chord even if you dont hit the high e. anyone have thoughts for me?

[@littalwabbit]

cant get my thumb over the neck without my other fingers pretty much lying on the strings... is my thumb weird or what? :/ Squeezing so it hurts

[@x534n01]

I'm having the same problem, it feels awkward and hurts my wrist and thumb when i try and it mutes the strings and sounds like shit. Any luck since you posted this?

[@MisterShine1912]

'phoihunteroööööööö99o9öö9öö9ööoö99ööoöoö9o9öö9öööööööoööööööö

[@Twinky946]

Littalwabbit I have the same problem mane. My thumb just won’t bend like that

[@minye05]

Hi guys any update? Im still rubbish when using my thumb

[@KPosssa]

@@minye05 At 3:36 where he talks about the fingers being at an angle. That's very important for not muting other strings.

[@arlonrando]

Just what i needed, perfect to the point. Thanks, dude!

[@boti2305]

Grat video Justin, I love playing Hendrix thumb fretting style, nonetheless I just suffered a bit of pain on the joint of my thumb for pressing down wrapping the 6th string. Would you recommend to do some thumb strengthening exercises? Because my finger felt really sore and had to ice it for a couple of days. Thanks.

[@elcaminodelbusker]

great tips, really helpful

[@adawofford2732]

how long do you have to do this until your thumb stops cramping up?

[@TheFlyingMonkey200]

whats the advantage to using ur thumb as a base note instead of just doing the good old bar chord?

[@RyusukePrudence]

It makes it easier to add some embellishments after or while playing the chords

[@TheFlyingMonkey200]

Andrew V thanks!

[@RyusukePrudence]

@@TheFlyingMonkey200 Happy to help

[@bmjames]

@@RyusukePrudence People keep saying this... but it's only true if it works for you! I find it much easier to add embellishments when playing a normal barre chord. With the thumb over the neck, my fingers don't have the reach to move around as much.

[@scottfishkind5335]

Extremely helpful!! Thank you for such great content!!

[@benlangbein924]

I could never do bar chords bc my bony fingers but I've always been able to reach my thumb around, it really depends on the shape and size of your fingers for doing this

[@kenz2756]

Nonsense, you could probably do barre chords now after 5 years.

[@benlangbein924]

@@kenz2756 lmfao can’t believe someone replied to this but yeah I actually can do most bare chords but I’m some sense this is still true. I can’t do one finger across 6 strings no matter what, even if I press down with my other hand, It’s like the shape of my finger or something WILD

[@joeortiz181]

Great Report On Hendrex Style

[@mandrelltwitty2205]

It took me years to learn how to use my thumb & I am heavily influence by Jimi Hendrix

[@ray3mondo]

Excellent as always.

[@mutantbaby1672]

I'm having a hard time fretting with my thumb. Is there a preferred neck shape and nut width for thumb fretting?

[@trevorhanson2071]

i feel like my hand is too small. in order to really reach that top string with the thumb, i end up muting the notes that the rest of my fingers are playing. anyone else have this problem?

[@martianhutagalung3177]

Awesome...❤

[@blockerryan]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

[@cezarsantana]

I've been a professional guitar player for all my life and am able to play some bad ass stuff but the thumb thing doesn't seem to happen for me...oh well, just putting it out there that not every technique suits every player : )

[@Twinky946]

Cezar Santana glad I read this. I can really play, but I have never been able to bend my thumb like that. I tried and tried and I just don’t have the joint or it. My right thumb bends all the way but my left just won’t. It was discouraging for a long time when all my idols do all their chords with thumb (John Mayer, Jimi, and Stevie). I wanted to just give up guitar for a while but I’m glad I didn’t as I’m gigging now! Moral of the story.... Not all great guitars players can do this, and you can still play pretty much everything without it. Don’t get discouraged!

[@ariqrestyawan23]

Yo I relate to this so much

[@boeandthelizards]

SUPER HELPFUL thank you J!

[@Innuband]

Great lesson, thanks!

[@Shredberry]

I've seen some classical players calling the thumb-over-neck technique "improper". For the life of me I can't fathom where they get the audacity to call a widely used technique, specifically a technique that is widely used by loads of guitar legends, "improper". Like imagine telling Hendrix doing something "improper" 🤣

[@scolpitts]

Very encouraging lesson. Probably a silly question but wondering if the distance between thumb tip and index finger tip (fully extended) makes a difference.

[@lic.eliseogarza2862]

Excelente lección, gracias

[@zaherfaraj4936]

Thanks!

[@justinguitar]

Thanks for the thanks 😊

[@ramv1564]

is there an advantage of using one's thumb? If one is confortable playing a bar chord, is it still advisable to play the 6th string with the thumb?

[@justinguitar]

It is purely a choice. The Hendrix style thumb over frees up your 4th finger to add embellishment notes and drop into lead lines and fills more easily. Not everyone has hands that can do this. Cheers 😊 | Richard_close2u | JustinGuitar Official Guide & Approved Teacher www.justinguitar.com/donate

[@hdschoedel]

I've tried this time and time again but my thumb literally does not bend that way. I can fret the F# on an open D fine but it is at the angle that your thumb is on the F chord (E shape). For the Hendrix form my thumb is literally parallel with the neck and the last segment of my thumb flops around uselessly in mid air. If I'm really careful I can fret it with the back of my knuckle but it's very awkward. Ironically fretting F/G is effortless. Some songs can be faked with bar chords but others like "Pinball Wizard" or "Rhiannon" can't and it makes me sad that I'll never be able to play them correctly. :(

[@James57AOL]

Justin my left thumb is joint frozen can not place my thumb across bass strings like yall it's about one inch shorter than everybody's else's or than the other thumb. so I ll wait for another lesson to make up for that situation. thanks for the videos they re great

[@azdarksonal]

Justin I love you thank you so much

[@neilzyaus]

Thanks Justin 😁👍🏼

[@Daetok]

This is killing my thumb and I still can't do it. Do I just have tense hands? Any tips?

[@shawncamp333]

Do you still play Guitar? How is your progress? Have you mastered it?

[@LumpiaNiShirogane]

I'm doing this to learn how to play neon :)

[@gingercotterell3430]

gonna practice this

[@I_Am_The_Pataphysicist]

so how did it go? and are your hands/thumbs small?

[@1972Muttley]

I can do this but my finger placement for the 'easy' F shape is horrendous; index finger barre is ok, but my middle finger is equally touching the 3rd and 4th strings and the tip ofmy ring finger is way past the centre of the fourth string, but that's the only way I can get it sounding clean. I'm on acoustic too which I think makes it harder. My fingers are quite long, but quite sausagey; if you have sausagey fingers too, give this a try.

[@ephangaming8082]

i can barre my index and thumb but when i have other fingers on they flatten out and mute some strings any idea if that can be like fixed or if its the shape of my hand

[@JeanPaulAussel-illustrateur]

fine ! very precise !

[@michaelwizouski7317]

I have big hands and have never had the finger strength or dexterity to play full bar cords. But what I do, and have seen other blues guiltarist do, is reach all the way around the other side of the neck with my thumb to hit the low e string. It also makes for quicker easier transitions in certain songs.

[@badrnaji1327]

guys i keep trying to do this but the high E is muted by my ring finger how can i fix this??

[@bedroomguitarist2988]

Practicing and getting your Hand relaxed

[@nielgheysen4576]

is it normal that i feel it in my thumb? its like when you run that feeling in your leggs but then in your thumb?

[@ladyofthelake3382]

My issue is that the second I chuck my thumb over the top my fingers flatten out and I kill all the top notes. But I can do full barres easy as breathing. Any tips for not letting your fingers flatten out? Or do I just have flashier fingers than most?

[@hgostos]

I'm having a similar problem. my 3rd finger (playing the D string) mutes the G string below. I have decided to practice for 40 days straight. 10 minutes everyday. I'm hoping this will help.....

[@alexiac4681]

@@hgostos how did it go?

[@hgostos]

@@alexiac4681 It has helped! It is true indeed that practice makes perfect, or at least better.

[@Prabhath_the_Dawn]

Thanks so much for such wonderful tutorial 😃👍

[@toemass202]

amazing thanks bro