Left hand thumb position

[norseman]

I just started playing mandolin a few weeks ago. I have played guitar and banjo for years, and in the last few years, fiddle. I have a Kentucky KM250 that's setup well with GHS A250 light gauge strings and a fairly low action.

When I first started playing, I tried using basically the same left hand position as with fiddle, but quickly switched to a position more like I use with guitar. My thumb naturally contacts the neck near the pad of the thumb almost right on the hump of the tip joint, and that's causing the tip of my thumb to get numb after a while. It works OK to put my thumb all the way under the neck with it parallel to the neck like a hitchhiker. I don't get the numbness that way, but it doesn't feel as natural.

Has anyone else experienced this, and what did you do about it?

Thanks,
Bob Olson

[MandoBen]

Niether of those positions are very good for mandolin, it's hard to explain but the top of your thumb should practically be pointing straight over the top of the neck. Your thumb and forefinger make a v shape but you don't exactly cradle the neck like a violin, there should still be space between the back of the neck and the inside of your v. Gently, very gently and relaxed, squeeze your thumb and finger together, then curl your fingers down onto the fingerboard. Somebody standing in front of you should always see the top of your thumb no matter which position you move to on the neck. It is hard to explain without demonstrating, and other people might have some other ideas about proper technique, but this method works great for me.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jasona]

Watch this video and learn from Mike Marshall. (http://www.tothestage.com/MediaDetail.PAGE?ActiveID=1142&query=mike%20marshall&MediaId=352)

[MandoBen]

Great video, that's exactly what I was trying to say http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[norseman]

Thanks for the info and the helpful video link. I tried doing this, and I can do it without any numbness if I keep the tip joint of my thumb flexed a little forward instead of locked all the way back.

Bob