crsb - Posted - 05/28/2018:  04:48:00

Hi All,

I’ve been playing for about a month and my left hand gets a cramp. Should my thumb be behind the neck, on the side of the neck or should the neck be all the in the V between the thumb and index finger? It seems if I keep my thumb parallel it helps.

Joe

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/30/2018:  04:45:54

It's difficult to say where the thumb should be without knowing the size of your hands. It is not the same for everyone.

If you're new at picking, part of the problem could be tension..... you're trying so hard to do everything right that you're not relaxing, you're wound up tighter than a drum. Try relaxing (easier said that done, I know) and see if that doesn't take care of the cramping problem.

crsb - Posted - 05/30/2018:  05:06:45

I play banjo and upright bass, it’s when i play the chords my hand gets tight. Playing tunes and scales I’m fine. Mostly the chop chords.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/31/2018:  04:55:15

I find mandolin chords more difficult to make than banjo or guitar chords. I have small hands/fingers and just can't get those 4 finger chords that stretch over several frets. I've learned to make 3 finger chords, even for chops, although it's probably not kosher. I can understand if you're stretching to reach strings for 4 finger chords that your hand would definitely be tense. You might try 3 finger chords until you get more familiar with the chords and try to slowly incorporate 4 finger ones. Just a thought.

crsb - Posted - 05/31/2018:  05:05:42

I had an instructor that used his right hand to mute the strings. Probably not cool either. He wasn’t a bluegrasser. I’ve gone to singing and using 2 and 3 finger chords. Seems to help.

Tyson24 - Posted - 07/12/2018:  23:28:56

Realy nice thanks for sharing here.

Dadsaster - Posted - 10/02/2018:  12:55:35

Your thumb should not be behind the neck. It should make contact with the top side of the neck. You should also strive to maintain a space between the crotch of your thumb/index finger and the neck. It isn't always possible with different chord shapes and chords will cause cramps but shouldn't cause a sharp pain.

Mike Marshall goes over this here: youtube.com/watch?v=NmagoBQunZI

crsb - Posted - 11/03/2018:  05:07:57

I bought Steve Kaufman’s video and he explains the same technique of thumb on side and some space between the crotch of the hand and neck.