thumb positioning

[wiechfreak]

I'm currently working on keeping my fingers closer to the fretboard to break my bad habit and I'm just wondering where you guys keep your thumb because I think my positioning may be off.

[Guitarperson88]

Behind the neck is where i keep mine, it helps you do stretches and keep your fingers close to the fretboard. I hold the neck in classical position.

[wild_child]

i think it realy depends on what you're playing. For wide stretches or fast runs i tend to adopt the "classical position" with my thumb, its also imperitive for sweep picking. However for things like bends and vibrato, it is often helpful to get a bit of grip over the neck with the thumb, chording may also benefit from this (sometimes it may even require the thumb to fret a note)

[wiechfreak]

well my situation is i wanna learn to shred and I noticed I dont keep my fingers close to the fretboard, so I have a few other questions

1)what is the best position for my thumb to learn to solo fast

2)when i keep my fingers close to the fretboard, on my pointer finger I always use the side of my finger rather than the tip, is this normal if not how can i correct it?

3)should i keep all my fingers close to the fretboard al lthe time or only the fingers im using.

Also if anyone wouldnt mind mayb some examples with powertabs would help. The sweet child o mine intro the stairway to heaven and the you shook me all night long solos are the ones i know so far so if anyone wouldnt mind it'd be GREATLY appreciated.

[Bizarro]

Put your thumb wherever it is comfortable with whatever reach or stretch you're trying to make. Behind the neck is a good "resting" position and works for most situations, but sometimes it needs to move around quite a bit depending on what you are playing! :)

Comfort is key, don't put your hands in awkward and potentially harmful positions!

For Sweet child intro, my thumb is over the top. Stairway intro, behind the neck. Shook Me, all over the place depending on what I'm doing.

[wiechfreak]

thanks. I just learned the classical position which helps me keep my fingers closer so i think il lstick with that for a while. BTW what fingers do you use for the sweet child o mine intro? Specifically on the last 4 notes?