Subject: RE: Re-learning left hand technique
From: M.Ted - PM
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 04:14 PM

'Even so, Piers Plowman wasn't disparaging the use of the thumb--he said this " I never fret with my thumb and have medium-sized hands. I don't think there's anything wrong with this technique, if one is happy with it. I avoid playing anything that feels uncomfortable. There's no reason ever to do so."'

Yes, what I meant was that there's never any reason to play anything that feels uncomfortable. I don't think there's anything whatsoever wrong with using the thumb to fret. However, I think a person who finds it painful or difficult would be well advised to find some other way of playing what he or she is trying to play. Especially in folk and popular music, there is no one single right way to play anything.

I often use a capo to play in "flat" keys. I agree that there's nothing wrong with it unless it's being used as a crutch, and then only if a person really wants to learn to play the guitar better and finds its holding him or her back.