Bar hold/technique question

[Pete Martin]

Hi all, beginner back with more questions. Thanks so much for the help on the blocking thread. I now have what feels like a workable solution going forward.

My next difficulty is the bar. I'm using the Dunlop 919 which I got after reading recommendations. My trouble is when playing single notes, it is comfortable if my thumb gets out near the tip. And playing multiple notes, it is comfortable with my thumb near the square end of the bar, so the bar lies flat on the strings. I'm getting pretty decent sound with both of those.

My trouble is going from single notes to chords and back again to single notes. My thumb seems to have a LONG way to travel plus the bar often slips out when making the thumb move. I can envision this being something that will be a problem at higher tempos. It seems like a big movement and I know from playing other instruments that I want to train small precise movements. Anybody care to comment about what solution they've found? I'm sure everyone finds their way, but if y'all have an efficient way I can train faster than trial and error (more error than trial), I'd like to know.

Thanks so much!
Pete

[Nathan Laudenbach]

“Proper” technique would be keeping your thumb back by the flat end of the bar all the time

[Stanislav Paskalev]

Pete, if I am understanding you correctly - you don't need to move the thumb back. Keep it on the bar so that its relaxed, index finger on the bar, and just lift the thumb a tiny tiny bit, so that it clears the strings to the bar and they can sound. By the same virtue, just let it lie down on the strings to mute the bass part of a chord or all of it.