This next exercise helps us progress in that direction.Īll you need to do now is alternate between the fourth string and the first string on the &s.
This is another E note.Īgain, the goal of the dead thumb technique is to be able to keep a steady beat no matter what’s happening on the higher strings, so you’ll need to learn how to do that. Now we’re going to add a fretted note on the fourth string, namely the second fret. So far, you’ve been working with the sixth string and the first string. Add Another NoteĪre you ready to throw another string into the mix? No big deal, right?Įither way, I’ll keep this simple. We’re definitely not there yet, but we’ve just taken a significant step forward. Only then can you truly say you’ve mastered it. The idea with the dead thumb technique is to keep your thumb steady and consistent, no matter what’s happening with the higher notes. You’re still going to be using your thumb and your ring finger for this exercise, but instead of picking at the same time, you’ll be picking the notes individually or sequentially – the sixth string on the numbered beats, and the first string on the &s. So you would still count like this:īut the numbered beats would all be long, and the in between &s would all be short. When you’re swinging the beat (like you do with the blues), you’re basically just counting eighth notes, except that they alternate between long and short. The idea here is to pick on the &s and not just the beats. Here’s a little variation on the same exercise. Again, we’re just picking on beats one, two, three, and four, letting the notes ring out as they are picked. But it is a crucial stepping stone onto cooler patterns and sequences.
We’ll be picking two notes (the sixth string and the first string) at the same time, so this isn’t very difficult either.
In this exercise, in addition to your thumb, you’re also going to use your ring finger. You’ll be better prepared to try harder examples and exercises having gone through the process of adding just one layer of complexity at a time. But we’re breaking down a bigger goal into smaller, achievable steps. I’m sure exercise #1 wasn’t much of a problem, and #2 won’t be terribly difficult either. But without getting a handle on this, you’ll never be able to master the dead thumb. Here’s how it looks:Īgain, I know, this is basically child’s play, even for beginner guitarists. For now, we won’t worry too much about the meter and just pick the sixth string on the first, second, third, and fourth beats (the long ones). Blues songs are typically in 12/8 time, and all that really means is that you’re playing a repetitive long-short-long-short pattern. All you need to do is keep a steady beat. So, to get started, we’re just going to play the sixth string with our thumb (on the picking hand).
It’s the same way with the dead thumb – you have to get the basics down before you can add in other elements. You have to practice the parts separately, and then gradually bring them together. Learning the dead thumb technique is a lot like learning to play your instrument and sing at the same time. The exercise I’m about to show you isn’t hard to do, but the moment you add in new elements, it suddenly becomes much more complex.