question on left hand position

[yiigggg]

I've noticed while playing that sometimes it becomes easier to play certain licks and sequences if I sort of shift my thumb downwards and make my knuckles parallel with the fretboard. Doing this allows me to stretch my fingers more and get a better grip on the string when doing some legato licks. I find myself shifting between this left hand orientation and what is natural to me, which is a left hand position where the knuckles aren't completely parallel with the fretboard and my fingers go diagonal from my knuckles to where the fingertips contact the fretboard (if that makes any sense). This shifting becomes a task in itself makes the sequence that much more difficult.While doing this has it's advantages, it doesnt always feel natural. I want to know if this is proper or if there is a certain left-hand position that should be maintained. If this has already been asked I apologize for being a lazy person who didn't look for the thread. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Friday]

In classical guitar and progressive rock styles, you'll find most players keep their thumb below the middle line of the back of the neck. By that I mean, just imagine a line down the back of neck of the guitar with the thumb roughly on or right below it. This allows for maximum reach and economization. On the other hand, most jazz and blues players cradle the neck with their palm during much of their playing. Even if they're not always cradling the neck, their left hand position is always "imperfect" by the classical standard. All of that to say that you can be an extremely fast and accomplished player either way...no matter what anyone tells you. If you take 30 of the greatest guitarists,from varrying styles you'll find 30 fundamentally different techniques. I wouldn't waste too much time choosing a particular technique or hand position(as I've done in the past), rather just practice a bunch and certain techniques will emerge that you prefer and become most comfortable on.

For a shorter, safer answer: Keep your palm away from the neck, your fingertips parralel to the neck, and your thumb on/below the middle-line and roughly in between your middle and ring fingers.

[JonR]

For a shorter, safer answer: Keep your palm away from the neck, your fingertips parralel to the neckI agree with all your post, except this - don't you mean fingers parallel to the frets?

IMO, the position yiigggg describes moving into to play those legato licks is actually the "correct" one - precisely for the reasons described (playing complex lines more easily).

If the fingers are diagonal to the frets, they have less range and freedom of movement.
Sure, as we know, many things can be played that way (as they can with thumb over the top too).
(As I say, I agree with every point you make, I'm just a bit confused about the above quote.)


In response to yiigggg, if you keep the neck relatively high, so that your elbow is at right angles or less, and your foream is at right angles to the neck, you'll find your hand falls pretty easily into a good position. Wrist straight, thumb behind, plenty of space between the neck and your palm; knuckles parallel to the neck (more or less).
Barre the 5th fret with your index finger, parallel to the frets, it should point at your eye, about 9-10 inches away. (Stretch your right hand thumb and pinky as far apart as they will go; you should be able to touch your nose with your thumb and top edge of the neck with your pinky....)

IMO, that position (basically the classical one) is the ideal starting position to get used to (perfect for barre chords, as well as fast legato scale playing, anywhere on the neck). You can then diverge from that as necessary for various other techniques, such as rock/blues vibrato or bending, where you often need thumb over the top as a brace.
(The guitar can sit on either right or left leg, or it can be quite low on a strap. The left arm/wrist/hand angle needn't change - only the angle of the guitar neck.)

[Blutwulf]

Learn the little opening bit from Yes' "Roundabout" without paying attention to your left hand. After you've learned it and can play it effortlessly, look at your left hand and notice how your thumb rides the centerline of the neck's back to facilitate the harmonics and wide movement of your hand along the neck.

Then learn Sabbath's "Mob Rules," again, without thought to your hand. Afterwards note how your hand cups the neck slightly to facilitate hammering ring fingers and power chording.

My point in all this is that your hand will figure it out without your help.

However... If you do not practice many different styles/genres of music, after a decade or so you will discover that your hand becomes a one-trick pony. So train your grip by practicing different styles, frequently. If your favorite genre is thrash, for instance, play thrash all you want, but onece a week make a game out of learning a song from a different genre. The other side of that coin is that I can play any style now, but excel at none. So you may want to ignore me after all and focus only on what you like.

[Friday]

Yeah. Sorry about that, I think it's pretty much the same but anyway I meant "frets",hah.