abinigia - Posted - 12/28/2013:  10:52:25

This forum seems awfully sleepy.

Anyway, I don't know how common it is to use one's thumb in chording but I don't see other players doing it much. Here's a closed 7th chord position (doesn't have 5 interval) that I use a whole lot. For A7: G string thumb on the 2nd fret, D string 2nd finger 5th fret, A string 1st finger 4th fret, E string 3rd finger 5th fret. It's very comfortable.

For a ninth chord I leave the fingers where they are and add my pinky at the 7th fret on the E string.

For a minor 7th chord move the 2nd finger down to 3rd fret on A string.

Anybody else have a thumb chord or other unusual chord trick?

ricomando - Posted - 12/29/2013:  21:13:57

I use my thumb with my 5-string electric occasionally . most often for muting if I feel the song needs a open strings sound .  

I do use palm muting which might count as a unusual trick for mandolin playing 

Victoria - Posted - 04/15/2014:  14:35:23

What is a thumb chord?  Never heard of it..... please somebody tell me! 

phiddlepicker - Posted - 04/17/2014:  15:00:29

if using your thumb works for you then ...it works. I don't use it as often as on the guitar, but it's a good technique when you want to use it.

Jim Yates - Posted - 04/17/2014:  21:19:58

I have never used my left thumb on the mandolin, but use it quite often on guitar and occasionally on the fifth string of the banjo.

TSSN - Posted - 04/18/2014:  06:02:19

quote:

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Originally posted by Smokeythemandolin

 

What is a thumb chord?  Never heard of it..... please somebody tell me! 

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Using your thumb to help depress the strings, usually when making a chord. 

It isn't something I do, but I wouldn't look down on another for doing it.  I count myself lucky that I can still make that finger-buster closed G---I'm pushing 50, and I suspect those days are numbered... 

phiddlepicker - Posted - 04/18/2014:  10:55:41

I don't just use it to made a static chord......I also use it to alternate a note higher up ( or open ) with a string fretted by the thumb for a walking or alternating bass effect.

Try it with a four finger G or a 3 finger C chunkin between 7-2-0 and 5-2-0 respectively.

Victoria - Posted - 06/24/2014:  09:47:32

thx!  

SteveZ - Posted - 06/24/2014:  10:20:50

Have trued to do thumb chords, but never could get it to work cleanly.  Always sounds like I'm wearing a baseball glove on my left hand.