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-   -   If only I didn’t have this physical limitation... (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545866)

Slothead56 05-03-2019 01:39 PM

If only I didn’t have this physical limitation...
 
I will never be the player I could be because I lack the physical ability to wrap my thumb over the top of the fretboard.

It feels good tho say it in public but it makes me sad nonetheless...

Nyghthawk 05-03-2019 01:42 PM

When I was in my teens I had an acquaintance who played classical guitar. Bach, Mozart kind of classical. He had fingers that would not only handle a 2" wide fret board but could span 5 frets. It looked like a tarantula crawling around as he played.

My physical limitation is short stubby fingers. At least that's what I tell myself. David practiced more in one session than I practice in a week but I tell myself it was his fingers. :)

Rodger Knox 05-03-2019 01:44 PM

I will never be the player I once was because my hands no longer work as good as they did when I was younger.

beatcomber 05-03-2019 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyghthawk (Post 6053230)
He had fingers that would not only handle a 2" wide fret board but could span 5 frets. It looked like a tarantula crawling around as he played.

Look at Mister Johnson's fingers!!!

https://media1.fdncms.com/sacurrent/...23/1232931.jpg

jaymarsch 05-03-2019 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slothead56 (Post 6053225)
I will never be the player I could be because I lack the physical ability to wrap my thumb over the top of the fretboard.

It feels good tho say it in public but it makes me sad nonetheless...

There have probably been some amazing players who have not been able to wrap their thumb. I can no longer do it due to a hand injury so I hear where you are coming from. People find ways to adjust to their limitations. Joe Montana had a weak arm and next to no ability to throw deep. He did pretty well for himself in spite of it. ;)

Best,
Jayne

Silly Moustache 05-03-2019 02:03 PM

I have short stubby fingers too, (although they are getting scrawny now, and fat/flat fingertips - so I play guitars with wider fretboards and although its not very long (my thumb!) I can curl it over enough to fret the 6th string - you don't actually need to press that hard.

I put this video up recently, I am playing a Harmony with a 2" nut width, and you'll see that I'm not actually folding my thumb "right over" - just "peering over the top like Chad.

I'm saying this because I hope it might just help.


Silly Moustache 05-03-2019 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatcomber (Post 6053237)
Look at Mister Johnson's fingers!!!

https://media1.fdncms.com/sacurrent/...23/1232931.jpg

It is thought by some that he (and Jimi Hendrix, and Paganini) that they might have had Marfan's syndrome.

Slothead56 05-03-2019 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache (Post 6053247)
It is thought by some that he (and Jimi Hendrix, and Paganini) that they might have had Marfan's syndrome.

And suddenly Google is overwhelmed with inquiries about Marfan’s Syndrome....

Bluemonk 05-03-2019 03:09 PM

I will never be the player Django Reinhardt was even though I have use of all ten fingers.

Perspective.

vintageom 05-03-2019 03:21 PM

Take a look at world-class Classical guitar players and see how many wrap their thumbs over the top of the neck to play. Virtually none, that I know of.

When I was taking Classical lessons, my teacher forbid it. I had been wrapping my thumb over the top for years to play full chords, so had to unlearn it to conform. I learned how to stretch and strengthen my fingers to play full chords in different positions. Some chord changes became harder, but I adapted.

You can also choose a narrow and shallow neck profile and a narrow nut width to accommodate your hand size. Electric guitars have some very shallow and narrow necks and players routinely go over the top with their thumb, up and down the neck. Acoustic players can do the same with the right neck profile and width.

Low action also helps, so you can play cleanly and without strain when reaching the outer limits of your physical ability to stretch and fret cleanly.

tomiv9 05-03-2019 03:25 PM

Someone beat me to the django Reinhardt comment. He was one of the greatest. Only had full use of his index and middle fingers.

Mandobart 05-03-2019 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slothead56 (Post 6053225)
I will never be the player I could be because I lack the physical ability to wrap my thumb over the top of the fretboard.

It feels good tho say it in public but it makes me sad nonetheless...

I have large hands and can easily do a thumb wrap. I've been playing over 40 years and never did a thumb wrap until maybe 2 years ago - I never needed to. I still don't need to. I just figured I'd try it.

D'jango had his left hand horribly disfigured in a fire and became one of the greatest players ever. Tony Iommi and Jerry Garcia were missing digits and whole fingers. I used to play with a woman who was missing her entire right arm below the elbow. I used to duct tape a pick to her stump.

The only thing most people are missing that limits them is guts and attitude.

drplayer 05-03-2019 03:50 PM

I've never wrapped my thumb, and don't know why one would need to (other than personal preference)? Not sure what I'm missing by not doing this, but what I don't know can't (and hasn't) hurt me.

Slothead56 05-03-2019 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandobart (Post 6053302)
I have large hands and can easily do a thumb wrap. I've been playing over 40 years and never did a thumb wrap until maybe 2 years ago - I never needed to. I still don't need to. I just figured I'd try it.

D'jango had his left hand horribly disfigured in a fire and became one of the greatest players ever. Tony Iommi and Jerry Garcia were missing digits and whole fingers. I used to play with a woman who was missing her entire right arm below the elbow. I used to duct tape a pick to her stump.

The only thing most people are missing that limits them is guts and attitude.

It’s a joke.

Bluemonk 05-03-2019 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slothead56 (Post 6053357)
It’s a joke.

Sarcasm does not translate well in written emails.


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