The Hendrix Thumb Trick

[@willcurran439]

great vid, don't worry if you aren't able to bar the high e and b strings at first with these chords they take a while to get use to, same goes for the low e, in the beginning just make sure you can have the low e muted and overtime you can work towards adding the note in.

[@willcurran439]

just trying to help people out if they struggled like it did

[@lambisstratoudakis]

@@willcurran439 thanks! My problem is the high e, especially if you bar 3 notes. Was wondering if a different shape off a neck can help. I have big hands and 9.5 radius

[@Rideandlively]

The first instructor I had told me I would never be able to play well if I didn’t tuck my thumb behind the neck at a perfect 90. I’m glad I completely ignored him on that part..

[@parkerbiskup8458]

Talk about "the rake" technique. It's another SRV, Mayer, Hendrix technique that is imperative to master this style. When you strum all the strings just to have one note played by muting 5 strings

[@DoctorColg8]

At 60, with lots of (retired) DDS miles on my hands, my thumb at best bends at 45°... not the apparently 'easy for jimi' 90°... and thats without my guitar in hand. I've studied the Extensor Pollicis Ligament... the tendon on the dorsal (top or back) of the thumb, which is the limiting factor. As a HS driving champ... I used to gain flexibility by 5x daily stretching. I'm going to do a series of videos that I will put together, from day 1 - 30, showing my exercises and stretching...start to finish. If successful, I will share the finished product/results... look for "a study in thumb flexibility" in Feb. (Hopefully sooner, right? I mean left!) Cheerio mates Dr Bob

[@santiagocoradeghini238]

I like how you take your time to explain everything up rather than just show what to play

[@Iondeen]

There's also the fretting 2 strings at once with your ring finger vertically (not muting with thumb) version which Hendrix did seemingly with ease. "He had very big hands!" - Noel Redding. That it really tricky to nail. Cool vid

[@vaughngallacher6454]

Love your video, your playing, and your TONE! KEEP ROCK'N!

[@cpost1558]

Love that your Strat is inspiring more Hendrix. You have helped me with guitar a lot! I am in the middle of Bullet Proof Guitar Player, I'm procrastinating a bit. Would like to see more of your take on Little Wing in regards to thumb over playing and Hendrix. I am also a huge fan of John Frusciante.

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Cool man, thank you for your support!

[@thefirstdude]

Brilliant lesson! I have a hand injury preventing me from that full barre. Your lesson here gives me hope that I can learn the chord(s). Thanks so much!

[@hesch-tag]

Spot on. Great channel, great playing and you are a great teacher! Hendrix is the best, right or wrong technique.

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Thank you!

[@seanvieux5814]

Can I just add Hendrix, SRV, Mayer and Frusciante not only have their thumb fully wrapped around the neck when playing chords (rhythm) but almost 100% of the time they play lead as well. Also their style is essentially the combination of rhythm and lead played at the same time, using the thumb enables them to play like this. Lastly there is no way to achieve the percussive (muting) technique without using the thumb which is another core element to this style.

[@iluvdaguitar]

I started learning guitar when I was 8 years old. One of the first things I was taught was never, under any circumstances, drape your thumb over the top of the neck. I immediately commenced to teaching myself how to play with my thumb draped over the top of the neck. In over 40 years I've never played without my thumb draped over the top of the neck. 🤷

[@declanosullivan8770]

I feel that rule is just a test, if you call it out on bullshit and proceed with sanity intact, you have achieved the next level.

[@iluvdaguitar]

@@declanosullivan8770 There are some things I play that I have to back my thumb off the top or I just don't have the flexibility to play it. For some reason it alway felt uncomfortable and awkward for me to press my thumb against the back of the neck like we're all taught to do. I guess its just the way my hand is built. IDK. I only bring my thumb to the back if I absolutely have to. Just about everything I've playing that requires me to do that is in the 80s hair metal, thrash metal, or some other newer genre of metal. I'm 60 years old now and don't play much of that stuff anymore. I still love the music, but I'm not about to writhe in agony after ripping ligament in my hand or deveoping permanent tendinitis to play it. 🤣Today I like to play stuff like Larry Carlton (Steely Dan guitarist) or Mark Knopfler. Although some of Knopflers stuff is a workout, too.✌🤘

[@mmmaaaaattttt100]

Any tips on getting the high e to ring out while doing this technique? I can do it if I abandon the high e, but that kind of defeats the purpose since I want to play the embellishments on that string and need the high e and b fretted by my index finger, which I can't seem to do without muting those high strings.

[@EasyAcoustic]

Same here, no matter how much I practice I can’t get that high e in the note. If I put my pinky down up 2 frets I can get all the notes to ring out though.

[@jmillanoff]

Same here. I'd really love some help on that one, Ross. I can never make the high and low E ring at the same time with that technique. Is it the hand size, thumb type, any ideas?

[@bmjames]

I can just about do it if I try really hard but at that point my hand is so tight on the neck there's no freedom of movement to move around or play any embellishments. Watched quite a few videos like this in the hope of getting tips, but they are all essentially the same: someone who can do the technique easily, pointing out how it's done as if the problem were simply understanding the goal.

[@MrDevy99]

@@bmjames me as well. I think the problem (for me) is that I can’t get the pinky to flatten out to bar the b and e strings.

[@CopperChief]

Same here high e is killing me

[@stevelogan1699]

Hi Ross, great stuff as usual: elegant, exact and concise. Best of all impassioned. Could you maybe do something about Hendrix’s fluency of movement between lead and rhythm playing? Best wishes. 😊

[@kafedziski]

I don't know if there's a name for the technique he uses, but the bending of one string and instead of releasing it he bends one above (or something like that). Sorry if I wasn't clear enough, but that would be a good topic. Really enjoy your videos! Cheers Ross ;D

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Pavle Kafedziski I know exactly what you mean

[@stijn4771]

Pavle Kafedziski is that not a gilmour bend

[@kafedziski]

Stijn Lavooij no no, Gilmour bends to one point and continues (1 tone + 1/2 +...)

[@stijn4771]

Pavle Kafedziski What did you mean then with your description? Sounds interesting.

[@paigeguitarplayer]

I agree my guitar teacher told me to keep my thumb near the center of the neck my hands are large so my thumb always overshadows the top of the neck and its comfy for me i heard your risk of carpal tunnel may go up. But ive done it for years but my thumb movement varies depending on the chord or riff/position etc.

[@dennissherry9561]

Thanks Ross!

[@kevincuthbert3058]

Thanks Ross, great lesson. Unlocks lots of possibilities.

[@youngolder57]

finally a complete tutorial of thumb use!

[@johnnyspuggy]

Great video again man could you do a lesson on some fast hendrix licks to gain a bit of speed as im really struggling to play fast

[@TKnuckles333]

Great stuff, thank you! Love Hendrix! The guy was freeken amazing!

[@boomersdelightvv7201]

Thanks for the REAL technique lesson

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Rooster7six]

You have some great Vids! Keep the Hendrix coming!

[@5uperDud3]

Great video, love Hendrix.

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Thank you!

[@tr3ndkiller]

Great lesson!

[@fitz715]

how about the bending up of the B string and catching the note on the bent G string same fret (the flatted fifth?) behind it and then releasing. i've seen other guys demonstrate this but i think maybe you'd show it better and i also have seen it as catching the note one fret below on the g string it sounds cool either way i'm going thru your course one right now it's great i'm thankful i had some teaching in harmony prior keep up the good work

[@ooDriveoo]

“Welcome to today’s vehdio” ;-)

[@Swingman]

Thumbs up, subscribed. Good stuff.

[@lucbraga]

I have been playing this wrong, didnt knew the lower 5th is not played, arigato mrs

[@paulhamrick9092]

Very nice Ross, thx for the lesson. Do you have any vids of you just jamming?

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Thanks Paul! I do - have a look for my 'Instagram Improv' videos on my channel.

[@Supperconductor]

I learned first on classical guitar. Now I’m learning rock/blues/country, etc. on electric guitar. Due to the styles of music and size of necks and biomechanics, there is no “wrong” per se but inappropriate or suboptimal. Wrapping your thumb on a classical neck in a classical position would really limit your ability to play that repertoire. I’ve been practicing the thumb over the neck because it’s the appropriate way for rock but man it really takes effort to get accustomed to.

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Supperconductor Yes I was gonna mention the classical side of things in the video but ended up cutting that out.

[@_drizzle2237]

Great video

[@EarthWorms77]

Summarized: 6:26

[@adriansoul7223]

Beautiful tone on the Ab Bb and Cm riff. I totally thought they were your old "peck ops" haha. Keep it up. You'll grow eventually! I'd love to see you do a cover (even if it's just to gain a bit more of a following).

[@marekwisior6401]

Thanks! You helped me a lot :)

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Glad to hear it :)

[@wilsonfisk6156]

Like I have really long fingers and I have my thumb almost always on 6. String. I am really comfortable with this tehnique without practicing it now

[@mattjohn4731]

I don't think guitars can be strung backwards, with the nuts my guitars have. Because the notches are sized from thick to thin. So the fat strings would not fit in the notch for the skinny strings. So the nut was different?

[@5150show]

If only I had a long thumb ! 😂

[@rogersylvester6127]

Superb

[@Scottydontno]

I can't help but mute the G string with my ring finger while reaching to mute a with my thumb, or even just having my thumb fretting low e. I've even tried moving my ring finger in place to mute A to no avail.

[@Twizzlemenizzle1]

Ross, would you consider doing some general Hendrix tutorials maybe just long intros note by note?

[@eddieramirez8038]

A lesson on if 6 was 9 would be great

[@tricko2286]

Excellent excellent explanation - very clear and understandable. Would love a discussion/lesson on how consistent Hendrix was with his playing - did he play same every time or improv frequently? Trying to learn Hendrix can lead one to be too literal ?

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Thanks! That could make for an interesting video, good suggestion!

[@colink4823]

Fab tutorial yet again

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Thanks Colin!

[@petewills2390]

Great video, but not quite sure why it's referred to as the "Hendrix thumb trick" as Merle Travis was famous for this in the 1930's.

[@andreamartinelli8185]

Ross, my hands are too small to play the high E and the Low E at the same time with this technique! With exercise I will be able to play these chords or I have to give up?

[@00deathboy]

Don’t know if you gave up by now, but smaller hands mean smaller guitar/neck. Find a guitar with a slimmer neck or a smaller guitar like a mustang

[@charlieg7388]

Ross why don't you write some killer songs with this guitar technique and theory you have down. I know I would

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Thanks man. Writing and recording original music of my own is a goal for later in the year.

[@davidhaolai]

man i hope to be able to play with my thumb though my fingers are a lil short..

[@BROWNMANJEF]

God damn I wish this video existed when I was learning hendrix

[@foolishsamurai]

My ring finger always ends up muting the B when I do this. Any tips?

[@derekkemp1155]

Great vid Ross! I've been struggling to learn this technique only due to having small hands. Feels as though my thumb isn't quite long enough, and I find it hard not to choke out fretted notes. As a Mayer, Frusciante fan nailing this would be so sweet. Any suggestions or is this not doable with smaller hands?

[@jadeboyd6206]

if you can, just don't barr with your index, letting your index play on the fingertip. it'll let you move your thumb up a little more, allowing you to get a slightly better angle. Hope this helps. my hands are on the smaller side, just barely big enough to do that on my strat. the high e string isn't to important when you get the bass of the same note in a lower octave.

[@jadeboyd6206]

you might not be able to do what he does in this video, but you can apply it in other songs

[@derekkemp1155]

Thanks Jarek, I Don't bar with my index finger but still struggle. Still trying to learn this technique, good to know others with small hands can do this, so will persist with it. Thanks

[@jadeboyd6206]

You're welcome, also make sure to keep stretching your hands and warming them up, and just playing consistently. Increasing the elasticity over time. I use to not be able to do it one bit. working with the technique to purely mute for a while such as in pride and joy i believe has helped thus far. So who knows within x amount of time even might be able to get the barr and hammer with pulls. Just don't give up, and always persist with learning and trying new things.

[@romeltalukder]

Teach Wait until tomorrow

[@frankzappa951]

Hi Ross. I really struggle to nail this technique and it’s stressing me out !! Think my hands are just too small to pull it off without everything sounding off. Currently using a godin Core p90s and the neck isn’t a thick one.

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Ah it's not for everyone I guess. If you've got smaller hands it could be a struggle, but persevere with it and see how to get on with time!

[@frankzappa951]

Ross Campbell - Thanks man, I’ll keep trying or modifying lol

[@ChrisFranklyn]

HENDRIX NEVER USED RAILS! (joke). I'll tell you what I like about this video, it's not too long and we don't have to watch you playing too much with too little explanation :) Hmm. I wonder how this technique would work with the Little Thunder pickup dropping the bass notes.

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Chris Franklyn 😂😂😂 Glad you liked the video :)

[@ivancara]

My little hand dont give me this power

[@AllanRinnegan]

For small hands what neck profile would be helpful tor this technique?

[@mcfluffy5007]

did you find out?

[@ludipas3285]

Give us some cool backing tracks

[@brucelk19]

I think My pinky will break if I pull off like that:( but pinky has came a long way in 5 months so I’ll try working on it more lol

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

Did you injure it or do you just struggle with using it in general?

[@brucelk19]

Ross Campbell I struggle using it but much better with it then when I started 5 Months ago.. honestly my problem is it probably not as much force as I think I’m so use to playing unplugged that I’m trying to hear it acoustically which does take force because I have neighbors in an apartment building .. but it my fault I need to start using headphones but I never where them cuz I’m always trying to hear the lesson videos so I want my ears free.. but I’ll have to just do the headphone thing before I get way to use to playing harder than necessary then plug in and probably sound more terrible.. if that makes any sense.. basically I play not plugged in way more than I do plugged in sounds quite silly because I have zero interest In acoustic guitar lol

[@devfagundes]

Help me pls, my hands are small :( I can't play the high E corectly :(

[@jadeboyd6206]

mine are too, it's not a big deal, i don't even try to play it with my index. i just mute it out. It's just mirroring the root note in a different octave. The important thing is the free pinkie you now have to add embellishments. Which might leave you handicapped like in this video, but you can apply it in other places. Or maybe try different necks on guitars next time you go to a guitar shop etc.

[@elvissorna8861]

Who knew Mike Patton gave free guitar lessons

[@YohAquino2]

is this the tune where Snow came from?

[@RossCampbellGuitarist]

I can't remember if Frusciante uses his thumb to play Snow. I'll have to watch a video later on :)

[@jleverette666]

Better have long skinny fingers

[@sahilkulkarniful]

Don't watch this video if you have small hands. Lol

[@SnoMan1818]

How the fuck do u do this. I liked the theory explanation but u glossed over the actual technique. I can't bar the three bottom strings and use my ring finger on the 4th when using my thumb. Shit hurts and I buzz the 4th and 6th strings. I can get the thumb to get the bass note but can't combine it all like my hand is not meant to bend this way unless there's a certain technique to help with this that I'm missing

[@SnoMan1818]

Maybe it's cus im on acoustic?

[@angelloza1084]

Mexicans play their barre chords with the thumb over like all the time

[@YourMomsSideDude]

Thank you