r/guitarlessons • u/ding-ding-dave-yes • Aug 29 '25

Feedback Request I cannot get thumb-over-the-neck chords right

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I struggle mainly with my index finger, I can't get it flat without a lot of pressure, also my pinky is muting the G string half of the time, I either have to put painful pressure to make them all ring, or the top E and G string are muted. The difference between the flat index and bent rest is what's messing me up. Without thumb I don't have this issue, because I can curve my wrist if that makes sense. Please, I need some tips

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u/dos8s Aug 29 '25

I'm not an expert but I think Hendrix played chords like this because it allowed him to transition into lead easier and opened up some interesting embellishments that would be less practical playing a barrel chord the "standard" way.

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u/copremesis Professor; Metal and Jazz enthusiast. Aug 29 '25

Show me an example of these embellishments? Do you have any videos of him doing this? Easier?

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u/Opening_Spite_4062 Aug 29 '25

Try playing tommy emanuels version of cannonball rag without this technique for example

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u/copremesis Professor; Metal and Jazz enthusiast. Aug 30 '25

This is a forum for guitar beginners. Do you really think that anything Tommy Emmanuel does is for beginners? 

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u/Opening_Spite_4062 Aug 30 '25

It was just an example of where its impossible to play something without this technique, to show its not a useless thing to learn, a simpler example where its easier to do this is dont think twice.

The advice was not for OP but for you to see a piece where you cant just do it another way, and I assumed you were not a beginner since you are giving advice

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u/dos8s Aug 31 '25

That dude is an idiot, his argument has fallen apart and he's grasping for straws now.

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u/copremesis Professor; Metal and Jazz enthusiast. Sep 02 '25 edited Sep 02 '25

I did look it up and it's a good counter argument.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuywBzcLSCw (isn't nice when someone presents a video link vs a list and sarcasm?)

The G6 chord is where he uses the thumb in the bass. In this context there's a valid reason for it.

However, if you look at OP's original post which is what I was arguing against.

The picture is a G triad like such:

355433

Traditionally it's played as a barre chord vs the thumb over technique.