One obscure feature of plucking which has always fascinated but eluded me is the technique of using also the thumb to play on the lower strings. Supposedly mainly feasible on 6 course instruments and a narrow neck, it has apparently been in vogue and an open "secret" for the initiated since the days of Francesco at least (see famous painting by Giulio Campi on the cover of Doug's History of the Lute if it indeed depicts such a practice). I know that it is very common in Rock, (where its so widespread, that it has to be meaningful somehow). To me, (classically trained), it looks bizarre, and more like someone has learned to play the wrong way. But it has to have at least some advantages, as it seems to be so popular (at least among the rock music pluckers). Not only for barrA", particularly chords where the index presses on a fret in front of the fret that the thumb is stopping look bewildering. Might there be an ergonomic/finger mechanical reason? (Concert playing for hours so thereby avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome?) Is there someone here who could explain the inner workings and/or advantages of this technique in a simple way or point to a website, are there any uses for it in lute-playing (skewed barrA"?), and does the practice have a consensus name? Best regards G
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