When you start playing guitar, holding technique may be the last thing on your mind. However, if you learn the correct technique to hold a guitar, it will serve you in the long run by gaining a better foundation.
Most Guitarists focus on fingerwork but it is necessary to focus on your back, shoulders, feet and arms as well. If any of your body parts are cramped, you will not enjoy playing. You may not be able to play the notes properly and the songs may sound weird.
Correct guitar holding position may seem a bit awkward at first. However, your back, shoulders, feet and arms will thank you later. You should learn the correct way to prevent injuries.
If you move from acoustic guitar to classical one, you may notice that the playing style is very different. The fretboard size is different, the type of strings are different and you hold the guitar differently as well. So your learning technique will be different.
Casual Position
Casual Position: Most of the electric and acoustic guitar players choose the casual position. The position has fewer rules to follow:
Keep your back straight.
Tuck the guitar under your elbow. Don’t hug your guitar.
If sitting, you can rest the guitar on your dominant side. That means if you are right-handed, rest the guitar on your right leg.
Hold the body of the guitar in a slightly horizontal position.
Keep your feet flat on the floor.
The thumb often reaches over the fretboard for fingerstyle guitar players.
Classical Position: For classical position, standing is not an option. Moreover, there are some strict guidelines on how you sit while playing a classical guitar.
Classical PositionKeep your back straight and sit on the edge of the chair.
Relax your shoulders and keep them straight.
Use a footstool or guitar foot support to raise your left foot.
If you are right handed, rest the guitar body on your left leg.
Sitting Position: As you already saw the sitting position of classical and casual guitar players are very different. But, in either position, your goal is to keep your muscles comfortable and relaxed. Many acoustic guitarists use a footstool to rest the guitar and do not use guitar strap. However, the most important thing you have to focus on while you are playing is whether you are comfortable or not.
Standing Position: Many rock stars hold their guitar too low or too high. Most of them do it to draw attention. But there is a very high possibility, they will cramp their muscles easily. It will definitely shorten their
Standing Position
musical career.
You don’t want your guitar to be up in your armpit or around your knees when you stand up. You need to fix your guitar holding height by adjusting the guitar strap while you are sitting. There are no rules about the position but to me it is comfortable when I hold my guitar in the middle of my abdomen and waist.
When you play the guitar, your right hand and left hand have very different jobs. The left hand is preparing the notes on the fretboard while your right hand is responsible for picking or strumming the strings to make the music. You can already guess that the proper posture for each hand also differs greatly.
Right-hand position on the guitar: Rest your right arm on the guitar body. You want your forearm close to the elbow to make contact with the guitar body. This relaxes your arm to get ready to Right Hand Positionplay the guitar. Half of your hand should cover the sound hole. Then, the tips of your fingers are ready to strum the strings. Don’t bend the wrist when you play the guitar strings in an up-and-down motion, instead, allow your forearm to move the hand. This technique eliminates wrist strain and lets you play the guitar fluidly.
Left-hand position on the guitar: On the left hand, you want to keep the wrist relatively straight, and you need to curve your fingers continuously. This position keeps you from hitting other strings and gives you a clear sound. The fingers shouldLeft Hand Positionpress the guitar strings near the fret toward the sound hole (not in the middle of the Frey). The placement of the thumb is vital. Keep the thumb perpendicular to the guitar neck instead of in line. This position reduces strain on your thumb and keeps your guitar stable. Generally, you want your thumb to line up with the pointer finger on the opposite side of the neck. As you play the guitar, your left-hand position may change as you stretch to reach chords. However, the above position should be your “home base.”
When you start playing guitar it may be disgusting to maintain all the rules. But when all the rules become your habit, you will start enjoying it. So it is necessary to learn how to hold a guitar before you start playing the diatonic scale. Once you have the right position down, you are ready to rock out on the guitar.
When you learn how to hold a guitar, check your posture before you play. The “right way” to position a guitar can vary depending on if you choose the classical or acoustic style. However, some ways to hold a guitar are wrong for either position. Here are some beginning guitarist mistakes to avoid:
Slumping over the guitar: As a beginning guitarist, you may tend to slouch over the guitar to see where your fingers are landing. Instead of leaning toward your guitar, pull your guitar closer to your body. This tip helps you keep your back straight and makes your practice sessions more comfortable.
Standing up to play before you are ready: Most expert guitarists recommend starting your guitar journey in a sitting position to get more control over the guitar. Also, a correct sitting guitar posture is easier for many to master. For a classical guitar, you never need to stand up!
Adjusting a guitar strap too low or too high: Most guitarists use guitar strap only when standing. However, some beginners feel more secure with a strap to the right length so the guitar is at waist level.
Choosing an uncomfortable chair: When you start to play, you want to choose a chair conducive to guitar playing. Find a chair without arms that allows you to keep both feet on the floor. Your knee bend should make a right angle when you sit down. If you choose a classical position, you can use a guitar footrest or even a stack of books to keep your leg elevated. Playing the guitar on a sofa (although comfortable) can create bad posture habits.
