Are you really supposed to keep your left wrist straight when doing legato?

[miamiboomhower]

Hey guys, first post :eek:

I've been trying for the past year to move from a thumb-over-the-fretboard technique to a more versatile thumb-behind-the-fretboard style, and its definately given me some problems. While there have been some immediate benefits, such as being able to switch between melody lines and chords efficiently, there are also some challenges. I've often been advised to keep the fretting wrist straight under almost all conditions (the exception being some insane stretches for weird chords). Trouble is, I can't find a good way to get leverage needed for pulloffs without angling the wrist. If I decide to break the rule and angle the wrist, then it starts to hurt after a few minutes, and I know that's not a good sign. Anyone have any suggestions? I could take a picture of the situation if my verbal description is lacking.

Also, I have trouble getting good, warm vibrato without pulling on the string with my wrist (the pinky is pulled away from the neck), which sounds good but limits what can be played next. Ex: A Favor House Atlantic by Coheed and Cambria intro.
g----------4-6--------
d--6-6-6-6----4~----6
a--4-4-4-0------7-6-4

I can do it with an extremely bent wrist, but it's painful :(

Thanks guys

[mattyvegas43]

Sorry could you post a picture as I don't really understand what you mean- If anything hurts too much you should stop doing it- A bit of pain is natural but if it really hurts you could end up in trouble.

[leadfootdriver]

It's easier to get around with your thumb in the middle of the neck. I would describe it like that, instead of thinking of it as keeping your wrist strait.

And then for bending, it's easier when wraping your thumb around the top of neck like you described.

[miamiboomhower]

My thumb will still be placed on the middle of the back of the neck, but my wrist won't be straight - if i straighten it, then the angle of my fingers makes a clean pulloff impossible (at least where I am currently at, I'm not sure if it's a strength issue). So, you're basically saying the straight-wrist approach doesn't hold up for legato on EAD and G?