Need help with hand position

[iommi]

I Have obtained reasonable strength with my pinky now>I just saw a video of Shawn playing "Crazy Train".I realized that he was moving back to Home Base position for playing with four fingers.I tend to play in Pentatonic position.I can reach Frets on the 6th string In Home Base position.I hae seen Ritchie Blackmore play using Four fingers in Pentatonic position.So is it imperative that i should try to play in Home Base position when using 4 fingers?

[cyberfret]

Most of the time when you are using all 4 fingers, and especially on the 5th and 6th strings you will need to lower your thumb on the neck of the guitar. The reason for keeping your thumb up is for bending notes. Bending notes is easier with your thumb up. Playing with your 4th finger is easier with your thumb down. Everyone's hands are different, so you may or may not be able to mimic the exact hand position of Ritchie Blackmore.

Again "pentatonic position" and "home base position" are my terms. If you want other people to understand what your are talking about, I would not use them. There is also not just 2 places that your thumb can be. It is not like 2 gears that you shift in and out of. There are a whole range of positions that your thumb can be in depending on the situation.

--Shawn

[Andrew]

I found that if I keep the inside edge of my index finger on the neck, it makes it more natural to change from thumb more up to thumb more down.

[iommi]

Thanks Shawn...But if i continue to play with my 4th finger with thumb up,is there are a possibility of me injuring my finger?I feel no discomfort if i play in that position.But is there a possibility of me injuring my finger?

[Tony_Iommi]

Cyberfret--do you plan on doing the other Crazy Train fill? (The ascending one)