• From: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
  • Registered: 2009-12-02
  • Posts: 15

Topic: Left hand Technique

Hi everyone

First time post and more of a technique question than a techie one.

Must say first that Joe is the man who has really inspired me (at the age of 54) to get back to guitar playing and is helping to push the performance envelope of my playing. My hat goes off to you, sir. Oh, and a HUGE THANK YOU for the most awesome night on 30th Nov at the Nottingham Concert Hall - boy, are you on a roll! I thought nothing could top the RAH performance but I was so wrong!

I am always noticing how Joe manages to play clean chords all up and down the fretboard with a thumb over technique. Is this a deliberate choice to gain mastery of which notes sound and which don't or just easier for the larger hand?

I stand to be corrected but that looks like a pretty full and aggressive right hand stroke when playing rhythm and I just wondered if, for instance, the thumb over is used as a damper on the A string to knock out unpleasant 4th intervals leaving the right hand to strike full chords. On the other hand, is it just accuracy of the right hand?

For instance, in 'I Know Where I Belong' which is played in the pesky key of Bb minor, unless I play those intro and verse chords with a barre, I tend to get a really ugly A ringing in the bass.

Thought anyone? Joe?

Michael Bott's Website

  • HRJ
  • Platinum
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2009-03-30
  • Posts: 178

Re: Left hand Technique

Im from stratford area too big_smile  Personally i've learnt that when playing chords sounding the right notes is rarely down to accuracy of the right hand. Its all in the left, so i would say yeah mute with the thumb.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Left hand Technique

the "meat" of your fingers touch the strings that shouldn't make noise on certain chords so those strings are muted. You'll learn to do this accidentally sometimes and remember how you did it for when you need to. Might take a year or two to master.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

4 Reply by fuzzy wuzzy (edited by fuzzy wuzzy 2009-12-02 23:28:50)

  • Registered: 2008-04-02
  • Posts: 671

Re: Left hand Technique

HRJ wrote:

Im from stratford area too big_smile  Personally i've learnt that when playing chords sounding the right notes is rarely down to accuracy of the right hand. Its all in the left, so i would say yeah mute with the thumb.

I wouldn't try to many arpeggios with that attitude. lol

Rock On and Keep the Faith

Jack Loves Patty Loves Joe
  • From: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
  • Registered: 2009-12-02
  • Posts: 15

Re: Left hand Technique

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

the "meat" of your fingers touch the strings that shouldn't make noise on certain chords so those strings are muted. You'll learn to do this accidentally sometimes and remember how you did it for when you need to. Might take a year or two to master.

Yeah - it all makes sense. So many jazz chords depend on damping to work - it's just that I'd never considered the thumb as part of that. We all tend to get stuck in our own habits and don't challenge them on a daily basis. Pay attention to what sounds good and adapt - even though it may mean doing some WORK!

That's the great thing about having JB to learn from - he's so open himself to sharing and his standards really raise the bar on what you see as possible.

Thanks.

Michael Bott's Website