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How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:36 am
by Jingo2013
Being a novice to thumbstyle guitar, I recently noticed that both Chet and Merle Travis used to fret notes on two strings with only one finger. I’ve tried this several times, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me. I have pretty normal sized hands with rather slim fingers. So, on a first position C-chord, for example, in order not to have to rock the third finger back and forth between the 5th and the 6th strings for the alternating bass, I wrap my thumb over the neck and catch both strings. While this has the advantage of freeing up the 3rd and 4th fingers for playing the melody, it’s not the easiest way of fingering a first position C-chord, to tell you the truth.

Is there some kind of technique of learning how to hold down two strings with one finger or do you just have to have fat fingers?

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:43 am
by ajbremer
I didn't know Chet and Merle fretted to strings with one finger, is there a video example of that? That would never happen on a classical would it?

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:38 am
by Norm
That thumb application you describe is what some people call the "Rager Thumb" because Mose is attributed to be its creator and it is indeed a difficult thing to apply in the beginning but like all athletic moves (and it is just that) it gets to be second nature with practice. You just have to deliberately focus on it and beat it into submission.

Never forget your first struggles with the F chord and just holding down the first and second string, or even doing barre chords. They seem easy now but at first they seemed like medeivial torture.

Improvise, adapt, overcome

UuRah!

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 9:49 am
by RonBloor
I think it is a fairly common practice on steel string guitars that have narrower necks. Some of the Marcel Dadi videos show him holding down the 4th and 5th string with his ring finger for an F chord.. thumb over on the 6th string. I'm pretty sure that Merle made his E chord holding down the 4th and 5th string with his index finger and of course his thumb-overs.
As for Chet, I think his left hand technique changed considerably when he started playing more nylon string guitar. Certainly his thumb-overs almost stopped. Eddie Pennington and John Knowles would probably be the best authorities on Merle and Chet respectively. Ron

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 10:31 am
by Norm
I get the impression Merle and others could hold three strings with the thumb-over at times.

I personally have no problem holding two strings with my middle or ring finger alone on my Gent. Whether I could do this on a 6122-59 with its wider fingerboard I can't say since I've never been close to one.

Like Jackie Chan says "Just do it!"

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:03 am
by craigdobbins
As far as the "how to" aspect, if you're fingering an E chord:

1. Fret the 3rd string, 1st fret with your 1st finger.

2. Fret the 4th and 5th strings at the 2nd fret with your 2nd finger. Place your finger between the 4th and 5th strings, and flatten your position slightly, rather than pressing straight down on the tip of your finger. With practice, you'll be able to fret both strings. And, it is easier on a narrower neck.

With this fingering, your 3rd and 4th fingers are free to fret the melody notes. It comes in especially handy when reaching up to the 1st string, 4th fret.

Thanks,

Craig

P.S. My fingers are long, but not fat.

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:04 pm
by Richard Hudson
Nice explanation, Craig, except I think you meant to say fret the 4th and 5th strings with the second finger. Your next sentence clarified it, but just in case...

Another 2 string - one finger chord I use a lot is a C6 chord, by fretting the 3rd and 4th strings with the second finger. Craig's explanation is great. It just takes a little practice to flatten the tip of your finger a little bit.

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 12:34 pm
by craigdobbins
Thanks Richard. Correction made.

The Am works great with your 2nd finger on the 3rd and 4th strings. Another is the F position, with your 3rd finger fretting the 4th and 5th strings, and your thumb on the 6th. Frees your 4th finger to fret melody notes.

Paul Yandell used these fingerings a lot. My Dad did too, but he had huge fingers. It was almost impossible for him to do it any other way.

Craig

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 1:05 pm
by Tom Workman
I concur with all the above. You just have to keep at it and it will come. I'll never forget the first time I tried cascading harmonics which I found to be extremely awkward but, now I can do it with ease. Same with some of those knuckle-buster chord shapes. Just recently I stumbled onto one I saw on Youtube that I really liked and when I went to try it I thought it a good way to dislocate my left hand! Now I can play it with ease. So, Jingo, just persevere. -Tom W.

Re: How to hold down two strings at once?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 1:42 pm
by Jingo2013
Thanks for all the good recommendations, folks. I guess I'll just have to take Chet's advice to heart: "I haven't found any shortcuts ... and I've been looking for a long time. It just takes practice, practice, practice." (quoted from John McClellan)