MarauderNL

Yeah, same.
Especially when I need some more grip I go for #2.

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Rio38

It really depends on what is comfortable to you. The great thing about the guitar is that there is no set right and wrong way to do things in many situations.

If the way you hold the neck feels comfortable and you are able to play well that way, then it is right for you. I hold the neck like you do for much of the time, but it depends on what I am trying to play and whether I am sitting or standing.

As long as your thumb does not hurt or is not strained from holding it that way, go for it.

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Shuin_Zwei

this is what i'm waiting for... I feel wrong whenever I practice and slightly create my own style whenever any chords is complicated with my hands... thanks dude for enlighten us

KidCanary

I'd suggest slightly altering your thumb position, dNWaKE. Looks like you're really jamming it on the neck, and putting a lot of pressure on the knuckle.

Someone with more medical knowledge may correct me on this, but I don't think that would be good for the thumb, and you may run into problems later on.

Just try flattening it a little so there's more of the pad pushing against the neck rather than just the tip.

Yess

It doesn't really matter how you hold it, actually. Just try to find the most confortable way that fits your style

Zakk_Lp

If its comfortable to you and doesn't strain you at all its right.
I mean i hold it both of those ways depending on where i am on the neck and what type of thing im playing its not really a concious decision its just something i naturally do.

Julian2103

I have long fingers bt I hold the neck the same way as you do but I find the grip varies for different chords.

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Axe Murderer

Ouch! Your way looks painful and forced!!!

I smell carpal tunnel not too far off.... (just kidding)

I started like that too, cause, "your thumb should be at the back of the neck dead center". "Your fingers should be curved just so and on the very tips".

LOL

Just keep playing.

Eventually your hand will relax into a comfortable functional position thats right for you.

Freepower

To be honest, your hand should be somewhat like the second, but far more relaxed and with the wrist straight. Take a look at my posture vid and the stickies.

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Casualist

Mostly it's a bad thing to be gripping the neck with your palm,

but it severely depends on WHERE your hand is located on the neck, and which strings you are playing.

Where to hold the neck will come naturally as you practice and find the easiest/best way to position your hand for each position on the neck

dNWaKE

When I play the guitar with my way (especially standing up), my wrist feels strained. What should I do? I feel that if i switch to the "rocker" style, i would have to relearn how to play alot of things using that style. playing the "classical" style just comes natural to me but my wrist feels strained

Ikonoklast

Both are good depending on the situation. It's almost impossible to do big stretches with your hand in the 'blues' position (thumb over), but bending strings properly will be tougher with your thumb at the back of the neck.

dNWaKE

Here's a video i made (sorry for the bad playing) to show you guys my technique. how can i improve the way i hold the neck? is it wrong? sometimes my wrist feels strained.

tenfold

Your wrist is bent an awful lot. Try sticking the guitar on your left leg, putting your left leg up more, lifting that guitar up more in the air, and getting your wrist straighter.
Put your thumb behind the neck when you vibrato or bend, that will hurt your wrist a lot, it's probably why you feel strained.
Don't bend the thin strings down either, it's a little harder at first but once mastered, it's easier to put the thumb behind the neck and bend it up.
Use your pinky too! The pinky can some in super handy and if trained correctly, can take a lot of tension off your fretting hand in some licks.

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dNWaKE

Shouldn't I practice with the guitar not so high up like that so it would be easier for me to play when I stand up?

tenfold

Yeah but you can always angle it up a bit up when you stand up too.

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How Music Works.

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dNWaKE

You mean by raising the strap?

Into The Unknow

Too me its looks like your holding it the correct way (as i do the same), as for the standing up part, i usually only play standing up albeit with my legs spread very wide ("big ass power stance" as the drummer put it) and tilt the guitar up a bit And when I'm at the higher end of the fretboard i have my thumb over the top of the neck.

On another note, liking the ibanez (just guessing from the fretboard as i have the same guitar)

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dNWaKE

Haha thanks, I recently upgraded from a crappy cheap guitar to this Ibanez RG4. Its a world of a difference.