I use the fret-hand thumb for fingering moving bass lines if I am playing my Strat or similarly smaller-necked guitars. Super-useful appendage!
But on a funny note...when I started studying music in college, I was originally a classical guitar major. But within the first 4 months it was very very clear to both me and my main classical guitar teacher that the traditional restrictions and I were going to butt heads too often, so I changed my major to jazz guitar studies. Best decision of my musical life! Jazz musicians learn the same theory, techniques, etc but also are encouraged to develop the ear and improvisational skills. Many great jazz musicians can transition easily and beautifully into a classical realm, but many classical players panic when asked to sit in with a band, read a basic chord chart, and improvise a solo.....
So that's my long way of saying "use the thumb!!"
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The Sounds of the Hear and Now.
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