Jimi Hendrix chords and playing technique
Can anyone learn the Jimi Hendrix “thumb-over” chord technique?
Q: “You can learn the typical chord technique of Jimi Hendrix (with the thumb at the top), i.e. is it purely technical or also anatomically determined or can someone with small hands and ditto talent learn that with practice or keep it best with ordinary barre chords?”
First of all: perseverance is key. You have to keep searching for the correct positioning of your fingers, hand, wrist and arm. Many guitarists give up too soon and assume that better or more expensive gear is the solution. While upgrading gear can be nice for the economy and second-hand websites, the real solution is often anatomical and technical rather than financial.
Everyone is different. Some guitarists have shorter fingers, crooked fingers, or simply hands that are not built for the classic Hendrix grip. I have students who just can’t play comfortably with the thumb over the top of the neck. So what?
There’s no shame in that. Don’t lose heart and don’t get stuck on what doesn’t work. This is just one way to play chords on the guitar. You can’t excel at everything, and most likely you’ll find your own niche. Top guitarists usually have one (sometimes two or three) specialties – their “trademarks”. Guitarists who can do everything equally well simply don’t exist.
How to make Hendrix-style chords easier to play
There are several ways to make Hendrix-style chords and big stretches easier:
Thinner and/or narrower neck
A guitar with a thinner neck profile or smaller radius can make the thumb-over technique much more comfortable.Lighter strings with less tension
Using a set with lower tension (for example a 009–042 set) makes bends and stretches easier. I personally use a practice or “study” guitar with a thin neck – usually my Ibanez JS1000 (Joe Satriani model) or JEM (Steve Vai) – with a D’Addario 009–042 set.Lower action
Reducing the action (string height) also helps. You don’t have to fight the guitar to make Hendrix chords ring cleanly.
An 008 set exists too, but I find those strings break too easily. With 009’s I can play a long time, including big bends up to five semitones and a fully pulled-up Floyd Rose, without breaking strings all the time. Contrary to popular belief, you can still get a convincing Stratocaster-like sound from these Ibanez guitars.
If an even thinner neck feels better for you, a luthier can build a custom neck that fits your hand size. Keep in mind that a thinner neck can result in a slightly “thinner” tone – every solution has a trade-off.
Final advice: your sound is more important than the Hendrix grip
In the end, good sound always starts with the source: the guitarist. A skilled player will still sound great even on a broomstick with washing wire.
So if the full Jimi Hendrix thumb-over chord technique doesn’t work for your hands, don’t panic. Focus on clean chord changes, solid rhythm, good tone and musical ideas. That will take you much further than forcing your hand into a position that simply isn’t built for you.
Take Your Guitar Playing To The Next Level!
Wouter Baustein
Music Producer, Music & Mindset Coach
If you like clear, practical guitar and music coaching instead of random YouTube tips, you need structure. My guitar books and coaching programs give you that structure, so you can finally make real progress and level up your playing.
