Thoughts on Left Hand Positioning

[@ToshikiShibata]

I love how you are keep evolving Rick!!

[@bestboy897]

The note separation in Rick's playing is so fucking sexy, even the legato is so unique

[@guismth]

Thank you for the lead to Chris Poland. Im recovering from a recent loss of part of my right thumb. (Picking hand). Looking to keep playing. Haha new evolution as you say. Keep inspiring, its working. Thank you Rick! Joe Pirroni "guismth"

[@NinoHelfrich]

That's exactly what I've been going trough the last couple of months. Ended up using a very classical position and switch positions only for bends und vibrato. You get the best of both worlds that way I think. Great to hear that you do the same thing Rick!

[@ConnecttoSoul]

Thank you for your entire recurring knowledge, dedication also study to encourage my quest to turning out to be more consciously awake combined with spiritually connected.

[@jonborrmann3124]

My classical violin teacher taught me to hold it as if you can also hold an egg in your palm.. of course that's the violin, but it translates to guitar brilliantly.

[@joshhawkinsguitar]

Hope you’re well Rick, I find myself rarely in the first position you talked about because I use my thumb a lot for chords and fingerstyle stuff, but there’s definitely another similar position that I have to switch to to achieve various chords and lines

[@SteveGilson]

I teach the same thing, there are two distinct positions, both have their strengths. I can be even more pronounced in the second position, which you use for bending, because the fingers are flatter so naturally mute adjacent strings. It tends to be a little more stable too, so if you're the type of player that jumps around a lot when performing, you still keep a good hold of the neck.

[@BlackinMind]

I always nicknamed the 2nd position you describe “violin style” since that index finger anchor is part of violin left hand technique. Borislav Mitic (shrapnel artist) says he maintains this position 90% of the time. Although as you said, it depends on what you’re playing.

[@kyunderhill9771]

awesome lesson, Please please do a lesson on those two arpeggio sequence you played at the beginning! that was killer

[@banchyy09]

This is the kind of content i subbed for. Good stuff

[@TIGERGUTS]

My awesome guitar teacher back in the day made sure my thumb never poked over the top of the neck. I have great technique HOWEVER , My bends on EADG are all downward ( towards the floor ) and B and E are up. To get that purchase and accuracy with the bends i found i get a great amount of feel and never let go of the string. For your health.

[@JariSatta]

Nice! Sometimes I practice without thumb support from behind the neck. (Playing what I already know, and when I come back to playing normal, the normal feels easier.)

[@RudyAyoub]

Jari Satta interesting, I do that by speeding up solos and then going back to normal speed

[@brihd374]

Jari Satta love your channel \m/ please do more neoclassical exercises

[@irishRocker1]

Cool that you mentioned Chris Poland! He does have insane vibrato, bending and overall feel. The bit about the anchor point for vibrato.... That seems like a subconscious thing. I can't say for sure if I do that or not. I think possibly not but need to pick up a guitar and see for sure. Guess it is thought provoking!

[@steveozone4910]

My favorite position is between fret 6 and 9

[@bestboy897]

Steve Ozone hahahaha

[@danielelliot251]

Thank you for going this. I this question has been on my mind for a while now.

[@edwardv4546]

same!

[@rxdoctordaddy1795]

I was taught by my Berklee teacher to always keep my thumb behind the neck. I was 10. I had a shitty ovation with a plastic neck, so he felt comfortable putting tape where my thumb should be for every position. I hated guitar so much and wanted to quit, but I'm glad i stick with it.

[@patrikvonporat9383]

I really like your videos Rick, interesting thoughts in the world of the wonderful guitar.

[@juancarlosgranados4425]

Thanks for the tips. Would you tell me what kind of pickups are using in that guitar? The sound is really good.

[@ayadea6795]

it's not about the gears. it's the hand.

[@pierpaolobuzzi]

I've tried for Long time To imitate Paul Gilbert's left Hand position that I'd define "oblique". Then I realized that simply it doesn't work for me, probably cause his hands are so incredibly huge. He can place The Hand as the hell He wants. Since I've realized that, now I use a "C shape" position, that is more natural for me, quite similar to yours, or if I'm not wrong is strictly alike to those of Tom Quayle or Richie Kotzen (I'm talking about The legato position not The index anchoring) Thanks for the lesson Rick. You rule😎

[@petresilegov2581]

I have two vibratos which I do. One is similar to yours (nowhere near as good because I haven’t practiced it much because I don’t use it very open), and the other is similar to steve vai and is uses no thumb

[@The1stMrJohn]

Super excellent guitarists' youtube channel, Rick, what are your thoughts on the most important things to consider, or concentrate/target on when practising, or trying to perfect true descending legato? Cheers

[@emiliopoison]

I miss you rick

[@alancosens]

I always though of myself as disadvantaged due to my relatively short, thick fingers, as opposed to 8-in long Paul Gilbert fingers. Clearly, I am at no innate disadvantage after looking at Rick's fingers here. lol

[@emrearslan6572]

Does anybody know which gauge strings he is using ?

[@SamBellGuitar]

Lovely stuff!

[@joshuamichael4312]

Hey just wondering if you keep a high or low action on your guitars?

[@marcosalvarenga6855]

Fantastic

[@TheWhitmore]

I wish I lived in an alternate universe where Rick and I were mates...

[@mikedixon8830]

Best on YT

[@guitarplayersongsx]

Fantastic tecnic

[@brainynbrawny9562]

Rick - Would love to see you on a stage with Guthrie trading off and showing your genius musicality!

[@rdb9936]

Rick, what string gauge do you use?

[@aaronbergAPB]

Sweet

[@chumbo]

Great! And for part 2...a focus on controlling the ' goddam f**cking' pinky? (when playing with thumb behind the neck). You're a master at it! :-)

[@joepp379]

chumbo I'd like to hear that also!

[@guitarplayersongsx]

Top show mano, congratulations...

[@711-v3k]

shook the shit outta that intro!

[@ibrahim-jw8he]

Amazing!!

[@invaderchriss]

Baroque tuning?

[@udayanmustafi3963]

🎸

[@jdimeleegoku2971]

I was missing you dude

[@RudyAyoub]

Jdime lee goku same here lol

[@washingtonlima8017]

The Best.

[@velakhusoh7902]

you Rock.... \m/

[@DanDelVecchio]

I hate how good he is

[@deldia]

I hope you’re doing extremely well out there...ahem...I know I am. Ahem?! That’s not in the script.

[@TaarLps]

When you make this vibrato just a bit faster, it will become a chord.

[@Kiks1234]

7 dislikes are right handed

[@magicalthinkingcommu]

Bruce Lee of guitar. 44 years old you are. 17 years old when you started guitar + 27 years playing guitar.

[@Chris.1812]

LEVERAGE

[@danilotail]

I cant stand when they show off in the beginning of their videos.