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Thread: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

  1. #1

    Default Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    The arthritis in my thumb is making guitar playing (chords) too painful. Thinking of trying the mando again or a dobro. As I understand it the thumb in mando playing isnt used in the same way as proper guitar chording, ie thumb in the middle of the neck. Anyone have similar experience?

  2. #2
    Registered User Ken's Avatar
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    Default Re: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    Don't know if the mandolin would be easier than the guitar because of the smaller neck size but on mandolin there are a number of chords where your thumb is at the back of the neck. I'm a long time (30+ years) mandolin player and have been running into the same problem with pain while chording because of pain at the base of the left thumb. This has been going on for several years. I play a lot of swing and have always played chords using all four strings. At this point I am using more simplified partial chords, diads and triads, plus just playing less chords period. Now a lot of my playing is fill, leads, and tunes which don't seem to bother the thumb as much. I think it was John Harford who said that "style is based on limitations". At any rate, keep playing, whatever and however you can.
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    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    To add to what Ken said, it also depends on what genre of music you intend to play on the mandolin - for example if you were interested in playing irish traditional tunes, chord playing doesn't come into it really as the mandolin can play the melodies of the tunes and isn't commonly used for backing/chord playing in trad music, so the thumb tends to hang out along the side of the neck rather than braced against the back of the neck as in the playing of some chords.
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  4. #4

    Default Re: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    While true for classical guitar, thumb in the middle of the neck isn't "proper" position for chords on a typical steel string guitar. Not to discourage you from playing the mandolin, but you may be able to change your guitar position (or change your guitar).

  5. #5
    Registered User mbruno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    One thing I would add - it might be that you're gripping too tight. Your thumb is more or less a guide to help and provides a little grip but shouldn't really have a ton of pressure - you could technically play find without your thumb honestly. I usually play a tune without my left thumb to show my students what I mean - but the main point is more pressure on the thumb is not going make the chord sound better.

    If you're not sure if you're adding too much pressure, start by simply fingering a chord on the fretboard but NOT putting any pressure down. Just basically touching the strings. Start strumming and slowly add pressure to your fingers (not thumb) until you get a clean chord. Stop once you do.

    Remember "The lighter the touch, the sweeter the sound"
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  6. #6
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    Default Re: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    Quote Originally Posted by HighLonesomeF5 View Post
    The arthritis in my thumb is making guitar playing (chords) too painful. Thinking of trying the mando again or a dobro. As I understand it the thumb in mando playing isnt used in the same way as proper guitar chording, ie thumb in the middle of the neck. Anyone have similar experience?
    The thumb lands where it lands. The middle of a guitar neck is something altogether different from the middle of a mandolin neck. In my case the thumb will usually land on the ceiling side of the neck, and slide in under it on barre chords (which I use only rarely). Just don't force it anywhere.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Left Hand Thumb and Mando Playing

    Sorry to hear you’re dealing with thumb pain! I have dealt with it before for years and here is what worked for me. I started my musical career as a classical guitar player and ended up stopping after over 10 years of playing because of left thumb pain. I tried mandolin to avoid the pain but I still felt it playing mandolin. Then, a few years ago I saw a Physical Therapist that specializes in working with rock climbers with finger injuries. It cost a chuck of money to work with her but it was the best investment I have ever made in my playing. She was able to give me exercises that corrected my thumb and helped deal with the arthritis in my thumb joint. Now I can play both guitar and mandolin pain free. I would highly recommended seeing if you can work with a PT who can help you get your thumb healthy before doing what I did and spending a ton of money on instruments to try to work around the pain.

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