Turns out Jake prefers this method b/c it keeps your wrist aligned.
Ok... So this appears to be a big case of do as I say, not as I do. And it's very misleading and I'm extremely disappointed that this is how Jake/Masterclass chose to present this.
Have a gander at this:
Now this (so much delay - jeez):
I don't know about you guys, but I see a masterful player with impeccable technique who isn't putting his thumb over the neck nearly as much as I'd expect from someone who made a big deal about it on his Masterclass. Both videos are from the last year, about when I'd expect him to be implementing this new version of holding the neck.
Does he put his thumb over? Yes. We all do. But he doesn't do it very often. Because
from a technique standpoint, thumb behind the neck facilitates much more complexity in fingering.
If you're only playing three chord songs, you could probably get away with playing only with your thumb over. Lots of people do. It's fine - not a "bad" thing. But as soon as you move on to more complex chords or any kind of picking, the mobility penalty that thumb-over imposes will get you into lots of trouble, really fast.
Everyone I've ever taught alongside has always touted the behind-the-neck thumb position as a good starting point. Maybe it's not easy, but it's an ideal to work towards because it gives you options as you progress.
To put all his eggs (and his students eggs) in the thumb-over basket in the most visible uke lesson in the history of the world is a damn shame, in my opinion. I love Jake, but this is going to make for a lot of undoing as uke teachers like me try to set their students up for long-term success.
There. I said it. Let the games begin.