My first question may be difficult for some to answer without personal experience (cannot be learned). Basically, i have a hitchhikers thumb, meaning my thumb bends almost 90 degree's backwards. When i finger a chord requiring my thumb to be behind the fretboard it bends unnaturally. I have been playing guitar for 7 years and didn't even realize it (i had to do a bunch of research online, only to learn i have a wierd thumb) until recently. I did figure out, though, that it was causing some extra tension in the muscle between my thumb and forefinger because my thumb has to extend further (and at a different angle) than those without a hitchhikers thumb. Some might also argue that this hand position could also lead to more serious injury. This makes it kind of hard to play long acoustic sets (I use med. strings).
SOOO, my first question is if anyone has a similar problem with their playing and if so, if (and how) did you fix this? Is there anyway to actually fix this (it's not like fixing a guitar, its my finger!)? The
My second question is partially related to the first. Some of the songs that i play have difficult stretches, for example one chord stretches 5 frets, uses all 4 fingers, start on the 2nd fret, and includes notes on 6th through 3rd string. These chords, in combination with a hitchhikers thumb and medium strings on an acoustic guitar really tweak my wrist and create a very unnatural thumb position. My question here is, do most people have these seemingly unnatural positions for large chord stretches? My thumb is pressing near the lower part of the guitar neck. Is this where it should be pressing?
Im sort of answering my own question right here -> but i want see if you guys feel the same way. There probably isn't a whole lot that i can do about my thumb bending the way it does, but i'm thinking that i might be able to get by if i start a more disciplined muscle workout (for prob. 1) and stretching workout (for prob. 2). This is kind of important for me to find out, because i've already had to get a cortizone shot and physical therapy for injury from playing guitar (I had over use syndrome and minor tendonidis). Im only 21! I'm hoping that i don't screw up my future with music too early in life. I Just...can't...stop...playing! Hope to hear from you guys soon. Thanks!
SIDE NOTE: After writing this set of questions, I realized that a better way to describe how my thumb presses against the back of the guitar is that it pushes towards the fretboard using the ball of the thumb.
JazzMick
04-29-2008, 12:17 PM
Interesting situation. I'm pretty sure I know what your talking about but I have not met anyone who played guitar who also had this 'abnormality'. So having said that I cant really help much.
Firstly, I would speak with a doctor about the possible risks involved in putting certain stresses on your hand. I'm sure if they are half competent they will give you an objective response and not just say 'stop playing guitar' unless it was a real problem.
Beyond that. There have been countless musicians around the world who have had to overcome more difficult than yours, and they all came through fine.
My first question may be difficult for some to answer without personal experience (cannot be learned). Basically, i have a hitchhikers thumb, meaning my thumb bends almost 90 degree's backwards. When i finger a chord requiring my thumb to be behind the fretboard it bends unnaturally. I have been playing guitar for 7 years and didn't even realize it (i had to do a bunch of research online, only to learn i have a wierd thumb) until recently. I did figure out, though, that it was causing some extra tension in the muscle between my thumb and forefinger because my thumb has to extend further (and at a different angle) than those without a hitchhikers thumb. Some might also argue that this hand position could also lead to more serious injury. This makes it kind of hard to play long acoustic sets (I use med. strings).
SOOO, my first question is if anyone has a similar problem with their playing and if so, if (and how) did you fix this? Is there anyway to actually fix this (it's not like fixing a guitar, its my finger!)?
I also have hitchhiker's thumb. I never knew it was unusual, and it's never been a problem playing guitar (not as far as I remember - I started 40 years ago, and my memory isn't what it was... ;) )
Let's be clear for anyone reading this and mystified. The joint in question is the last joint of the thumb nearest the nail (not the joint where it joins the palm).
This image shows the thumb when pulled back (the thumb isn't fixed in this position!):
http://www.ncrtec.org/tl/camp/gene/thumb1.jpg
When playing guitar, the pad of thumb presses on the back of the neck, pointing upwards and perhaps slightly towards the nut. It opposes the pressure of the fingers, and generally sits opposite where middle finger is on the front of the neck (the fretboard).
It shouldn't point along the neck (parallel to the neck).
It may project above the neck, or wrap around to fret or mute the 6th string, for certain rock/blues techniques. (It should never do this on classical, of course.)
The angle of the joint in question actually varies between straight and bent back - never bent foward. (In a way, I think hitchhiker's thumb could be an advantage...)
I do find sometimes that the other joint of my thumb bends in, towards the palm, while the end joint bends back, so the whole thumb (from the wrist) makes a zigzag. Not always, just sometimes. I can get better pressure (or a different kind of pressure) this way.
I don't think - therefore- your problem is caused by the nature of your thumb. It may be your general hand position/angle, or simply using too pressure in general.
My second question is partially related to the first. Some of the songs that i play have difficult stretches, for example one chord stretches 5 frets, uses all 4 fingers, start on the 2nd fret, and includes notes on 6th through 3rd string. These chords, in combination with a hitchhikers thumb and medium strings on an acoustic guitar really tweak my wrist and create a very unnatural thumb position.Tip: don't play such chords! :D
I can't recall any occasion where I've needed a chord with a 5-fret stretch, where some alternative shape couldn't be found. (Some chord-based riffs require an occasional 5-fret stretch, which is undeniably tricky on low frets - with or without hitchhiker's thumb. But I can't think of any chord which requires a 5-fret stretch to be held.) Of course, if you're inventing your own chords, you only have yourself to blame! :) )
My question here is, do most people have these seemingly unnatural positions for large chord stretches? My thumb is pressing near the lower part of the guitar neck. Is this where it should be pressing? If you mean the lower edge, I think this is probably wrong - at least as a general position. It should rarely need to go below the centre line of the neck. I find mine is mostly in the centre or towards the top of the neck (if not actually over the top... :o )
Im sort of answering my own question right here -> but i want see if you guys feel the same way. There probably isn't a whole lot that i can do about my thumb bending the way it does, but i'm thinking that i might be able to get by if i start a more disciplined muscle workout (for prob. 1) and stretching workout (for prob. 2). This is kind of important for me to find out, because i've already had to get a cortizone shot and physical therapy for injury from playing guitar (I had over use syndrome and minor tendonidis). Im only 21! I'm hoping that i don't screw up my future with music too early in life. I Just...can't...stop...playing! Hope to hear from you guys soon. Thanks!OK, I think this is significant - sounds like you are simply playing too much!
Either playing too much - or using too much pressure - or stiffening up when you play. Or any combination of those 3!
Are you having lessons? If not I suggest you get some (or one at least) with a good teacher who can address your position and technique. Not just the left hand, but the whole arm/wrist/shoulder combination, and the position and angle of the guitar too. Essentially, your whole body should feel relaxed when you play. The only sensation of pressure (of muscle use) comes from the fingertips. (I know this is partly illusory, because there are no muscles as such in the fingers themselves.)
OTOH, it may be that your position is good, but you are holding it too rigidly (perhaps unconsciously).
Don't practice any one thing (scale pattern, lick, chord change, etc) for too long. Vary what you practice, move around, take frequent breaks. Guitar practice is not athletics. You gain nothing by "going for the burn". Once your fingertips have started to toughen, that should be the end of pain and discomfort while playing. At any hint of pain anywhere, stop and take a rest. (If you're too obsessed with music to go off and do anything else ;) - try some ear-training by listening to music and trying to guess the changes. (I-IV-V, etc) Write them down and check them later.)
SIDE NOTE: After writing this set of questions, I realized that a better way to describe how my thumb presses against the back of the guitar is that it pushes towards the fretboard using the ball of the thumb.That's correct. As long as the thumb is not parallel to the neck, and is simply opposing fingertip pressure -as if you are pinching the neck between ball of thumb and fingertips.
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