Quote:
Originally Posted by Bern
Don't look at your favorite players.
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Good advice, at least regarding thumb position.
Good players don't always play in what is the best way for a beginner to play. They don't choose a position because it's the best, but because it's comfortable
for them, for that particular moment. Their hands are flexible, and many things are
easy enough for them in "lazy" positions.
But it is good to study many different players, and look at how and when they vary their positions, and what kind of things they're playing when they do. Maybe they have their thumb over because it's comfortable and doesn't inhibit what they're playing? Or maybe they're doing it to give themselves an anchor/pivot for vibrato or bending?
IOW - as said above - thumb position is only one aspect, dependent on other stuff. Study everything.
I always liked this position Slash used to adopt:
Notice his left hand is perfect, even in classical convention: thumb behind in order to give his fingers maximum reach and stretch, no doubt for some fast high solo playing.
Other times, of course, he'd wear it low slung - and the left hand position would reflect the simpler kinds of things he'd be playing then, where thumb over (or bent wrist) wouldn't inhibit him too much.
And of course showmanship plays a big part in any rock player's style. Many positions are adopted because they look cool, as long as what they have to play is still playable there, even if a different position might make it a little easier.
Eg, we wouldn't advise beginners to pick with their teeth, just because that genius Hendrix did! He didn't do that because it was easier, but because it looked cool, and because he
could.