Teaching fat one!

notanon

Playing an E formation bar chord with the thumb covering the 6th string low E (muting the 5th string A) a la Hendrix style. That releases the pinky to perform frills - you know what I mean. How many people could not reach the thumb over the fretboard to play like that but managed to do that with training / practice? How long did it take? Does it just depend on congenital disposition?

As usual - thanks in advance for any advice ;-)

Veganic

I can do it with unremarkable anatomy.
Use as little a bar as possible with the the first finger on e and b.  The part of my thumb that makes contact with the string is quite far up the first joint away from the tip.

Not really a fan of it though.

notanon

@Veganic ;

I can do it but almost all the way back to the end joint on my thumb - really doesn't feel comfortable at all in any way. I agree not a big fan either just curious. When I do it I feel in a seized position rather than fluid. Hendrix and others seem to do it and they are using the tips of their thumb like a finger on an F chord - strange.

stratman3142

I've never found it comfortable either so, for that reason, I've always just done a barre with my first finger as an alternative. So far I've always managed to be able to do Hendrix type stuff using that approach.

notanon

^^ Yep this - I think you have a 'normal thumb' similar to mine. Hendrix did apparently have unusual appendages!

Maynehead

It's one of those techniques that's actually easier to play standing up, as your arm angle helps you to get over the top easier.

I never found it comfortable either until I learnt to play Little Wing. Now feels a lot more intuitive, and I've started to do all of my F barre chords with my thumb over the top.

mburekenge

It took me forever.