How does the thumb 'anchor' a guitar picking pattern?

Question

Lead guitar is the flair and flourish of a harmony or jazz-extension of a melody. The basic picking pattern is the anchor of a song, and the thumb pattern anchors that. How does that work and what is the relation to the melody?

Answer 1

Thanks for that important question:

The thumb provides the steady bass component that can really drive and support the song.

For instance, in the song Jambalya:

in playing in the key of D, the open strings - 4th string D and 5th string are your go to bass notes. With your thumb, ,pick the open D string (the root) initially and alternate with the lower A string. As the chord changes to the A chord, your bass notes become the open low A string with the open lower E.

The rhythm is constant on this 2 chord (D and A7) song with a "1 and 2 "count beat. (hit those bass notes on the 1 and 2 ) Let your picking hit immediately in between these driving bass notes.

Lastly ,listen to the song to hear and feel that driving bass.

"pick guitar-fill fruit jar!"

Have fun with it and i hope this helps.

Andy

Answer 2

What a great question!

The picking pattern sets up the meter - or stress/beat pattern of the melody. In other words, if you would tap your foot 4 times, with an emphasis on the 1st and 3rd beat, then FOUR is the meter. If you would tap your foot three times - THREE is the meter. This skill is foundational to playing together, of course, and core to your understanding of the tonal pattern of the song.

The thumb plays along with this picking pattern and emphasizes the root or fifth of the chord. Any off-beat motion of the thumb will give more "motion" to the picking pattern, and will often connect or anticipate the next chord's root or fifth note.

You are providing the rhythm section, harmony AND bass part for a melody with your thumb and fingers.