Playing E with your thumb

[sbomb]

Like Chris does, ive been avoiding it in certain situations, especially on higher frets because it hurts to make those chords

 

Question, does it get easier? Ive only really started trying the last few days. Or should i just use the workarounds ive been using, which dont sound as clean but are easier to maintain?

 

I ask this because i know my thumb wont grow anymore :laugh3:

[Tnspieler1012]

you mean holding the bass note like in the chorus of don't panic (10)(12)(12)(10)(10)0? or violet hill and a message?

 

I'm not sure how long you've been playing, but it does get easier. I remember when playing an open C chord was torture, but your hands adjust, and playing fifths the way Chris does is a lot easier on your hands then barring every chord. Over time it will become easier to hold and feel almost effortless.

[sbomb]

currently im working on shiver, all the other chords are fine but the one which is

 

9-----9

0-----0

11--12

9-----9

0-----0

0-----0

 

Is a killer, not impossible but it hurts the thumb so

 

The only reason i ask is, whereas its understandable with chords that it takes time, your thumb doesnt grow, at least not at my age, so im wondering whethere there is a "you can or you cant" factor to it

 

thanks for the reply

[Tnspieler1012]

Oh yes, that chord was annoying. If you want to, you can just pass up the bass note altogether and play the last four strings, the difference is marginal and a lot more comfortable.

[sbomb]

Oh yes, that chord was annoying. If you want to, you can just pass up the bass note altogether and play the last four strings, the difference is marginal and a lot more comfortable.

Too true, the higher up the frets the harder it gets i find, i can use my thumb most of the time lower down, bit painful because im not used to it but other than that its fine. I think if the G stayed on 11 id be fine but that it alternates with 12 really does me over

 

Oh and shiver is a great song to play :)

[sbomb]

sorry if the B stayed on 11, wont let me edit the post

[greta22]

oh i know all about this! yes trust me, it does get a lot easier. when i first started playing coldplay songs and using my thumb it definitely hurt -- even remember my thumb being sore for a few days...but after a while it's like second nature and won't even seem awkward. i use my thumb for my songs all the time now, cant imagine otherwise cause it definitely helps create interesting dynamics in creating different bass notes within progressions

[Mig-El]

don't worry, you'll get used to it, but one thing, HAVE YOU WATCHED GARY LIGHTBODY FROM SNOW PATROL???? is that posible or is he a freak or something cause he can play chords in ways that seem imposible for my fingers. he's got incredibly long fingers or what???

[sbomb]

oh i know all about this! yes trust me, it does get a lot easier. when i first started playing coldplay songs and using my thumb it definitely hurt -- even remember my thumb being sore for a few days...but after a while it's like second nature and won't even seem awkward. i use my thumb for my songs all the time now, cant imagine otherwise cause it definitely helps create interesting dynamics in creating different bass notes within progressions

 

Exactly what i wanted to hear, ill persists, cheers

[ColdplayBirdsFly]

^ It definitely does get easier. Practice... A LOT!

It'll hurt but just grit your teeth and keep playing! :cool:

Doing warm-up hand exercises and finger stretches help too.

 

I'm a female (i.e. smaller hands...grrrr.) and I can play the 6th string with thumb, so it's not impossible. It was difficult at first though.

 

P.S. to Mig-el : Gary Lightbody's hands are indeed MASSIVE!!! :shocked2:

Just try playing the chorus chords for "Chasing Cars".... ugh! My thumb would ache so much, still kind of does.

 

I envy men with their larger hands. Jonny and especially Chris have REALLY LONG fingers... perfect for piano or guitar :bomb:

[sbomb]

really got the hang of it now :D, thanks guys, didnt take nearly as long as i thought it would

[Mig-El]

yes!! I envy tham too, come on, wath Gary playing Run or Chocolate!!! I'll have a surgey on my hands to make my fingers longer

[Jordan37]

If you guys want to stretch those thumbs of yours, play some John Mayer songs! In fact, try the song Wheel. The second chord in the song is IMPOSSIBLE for me to play because his thumb is on the 13th fret while the rest of the fingers are on around the 10th fret...ridiculous. His hands are huge, mine are not.

But it's good exercise!

[Mig-El]

are you serious?? he can do that?

[Jordan37]

Yeah. I looked at the tab and thought it was some joke...like, the tabber didn't have a sense or reality or something lol. But THEN I saw a video and my mind was blown.

I hate it because I really like that song but I have to use my pinky to play the chord and it's harder...

[Pseudonym]

Yea, unless you have a John Myer-sized thumb, it'll be hard at first.

 

 

Just keep trying it, practice with a D/F# chord (an open D but with thumb playing 2nd fret E string). It's pretty easy and it will help you adjust to shaping your hand that way (plus it's a great sounding chord)