Wrist and thumb positioning


Andrei_Sheremet
Registered User
Joined: 12/13/22
Posts: 3
Andrei_Sheremet
Registered User
Joined: 12/13/22
Posts: 3
05/25/2023 4:48 pm

Good day,


I  am a bit worried for my basics and in particular left hand positioning. People say that my wrist looks weird and unnatural when I try to play a chord.  I have added a few pictures where I try to play C Major and D major. I have googled through several videos about ''neutral wrist positioning'', but I don't see how to put it in practice. Is it a big issue or I can just ignore it and keep practicing ? Thanks in advance



# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,366
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,366
05/26/2023 5:51 pm

Hey, there!  These are good questions.  


First, does it feel natural & comfortable to you?  Can you play the chords smoothly & change between them?  If so, then you doing fine.  The C major chord looks good, but it looks like you thumb might be awkward on the D major chord.  You might find it more effective to move your thumb a little more to the bass side of the neck to oppose the pressure of your fingers on the treble side.


If you haven't yet, I encourage you to work through the Guitar Fundamentals course.  In particular this tutorial covers basic open chords with the proper mechanics.  This lesson is the D major chord & the next is the C major chord.


https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/31266


And I cover general fretting hand mechanics here.


https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson/10654


In lesson 2 in particular I discuss what I call the axis of power that is effectively keeping opposing pressure between your fretting fingers & thumb.


Hope that helps!


 


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
Andrei_Sheremet
Registered User
Joined: 12/13/22
Posts: 3
Andrei_Sheremet
Registered User
Joined: 12/13/22
Posts: 3
05/27/2023 7:45 pm

Ok, good to know that I do something right. I am cuurently on the fundamental course part 2, so I had been through D Major lesson, but probably I should relearn it. Thanks for help!


# 3
ChristopherSchlegel
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Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,366
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,366
05/28/2023 1:43 pm

You're welcome!  Keep learning & practicing!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 4

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