How do you hold a Guitar

 

 

hold it correctly

If you are going to play guitar for any period of time it is best that you are holding it in the correct position. This will prevent fatigue, aches and pains. You will also get a better sound from your instrument. You will have to consider if you are playing in a casual manner or in the ‘classical’ style, or if you prefer, or want, to stand up. Are you playing an acoustic guitar, or an electric?



The two main things to consider when holding your guitar is your body position and the position of the guitar. Look at the picture of Jimmy Page above – This may be great for JP but, does this look like a comfortable position to you? So let’s consider what we need to do to get things right.

As the song said - My Body, Your Body, Everybody (move your body)

Make sure that if you are sitting down, and that the seat allows for you to play comfortably. Find a suitably firm seat with preferably no arms to interfere with the playing action of your arm. Hold your body/back straight so it is comfortable. The body of the guitar should feel comfortable placed against your chest. The guitar should sit on your leg and if you are playing an electric guitar it may be tilted slightly toward the player to get a better view of the fretboard. If you are right handed your left elbow should be at right angles (or near enough) as this causes less strain on your wrist when forming chords or playing solos.

   



Hand position

Left Hand (the fretting hand)

 

Hold your left hand with your palm facing upward. Yiour knuckles should be slightly bent with your thumb nearly touching your index or middle finger. Holding this position with your hand, you can see that a guitar could quite easily fit there in your hand. As you play, your fingers will stay bent and your thumb will be able to move easily along the neck of the guitar.

Now when it comes to fretting the note required, you simply press the tip of your finger onto the string. you should prevent the sides of your finger from touching any other strings as this creates a 'buzz' or will mute the string. The thumb will be pressed against the back of the neck to apply  the correct amount of pressure.

This may be quite hard to begin with, as your hand strength will need to improve but the strength in your hand will build over time by playing the guitar. you do not really have to purchase any online gadgets, strength will grow organically.
 

right  HAND (THE picking/strumming HAND)

Your right hand should be held in a position that feels comfortable to you. There is a chain of thought that says your wrist should be around the bridge area but sometimes this can affect the E and A strings with some players but causing muting of these particular strings. If you look at the contrast of the players below, Hendrix and Clapton are playing with their pinky on the guitar - although in a differing placement, and Bonnamassa is playing in the wrist against the body. The actual guitar itself may help you decide what position your strumming hand will take. A thinner bodied guitar may produce a different palcement than an acoustic, for example


head and shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

Ok so let's have a look at the position of your body when playing guitar. The most obvious thing to consider would be, how comfortable are you? If you are practicing and you are hunched over, this may feel comfortable but in the long run you are going to be in trouble


The death of a guitarist through bad posture

As most of us concentrate on our hands when we play guitar, it is easy to lose concentration on the rest of your body and find that we are slouching, either in a chair, or whilst standing. The best thing to do is to check yourself every now and then. Your hands should be relaxed, your body should also be relaxed and not tensing up, or as mentioned before - slouching, or leaning over. If you feel any pain, you should stop. If yo uare playing for long periods, stop and take a break every now and again. 


Good position for playing guitar whilst standing


Hopefully you may find something of use in this article so as usual, please subscribe, comment, .Cheers

We must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps
 












 










 

 

 

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