How to Use Good Guitar Posture

When you learn to play an instrument, maintaining good posture is crucial to playing both well and comfortably. The steps described will teach you how to maintain good posture while playing the classical guitar, both in a seated and standing position.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Sit straight on the edge of your chair with your left foot slightly elevated on a guitarist's footstool. Rest your guitar on your left thigh. With the upper frets located further away from your body, your left hand can reach the strings, while your left arm rests comfortably away from your side.

2. Angle the neck of the guitar up so that the headstock is level with your eyes. Keep your left thumb in the center of the neck and curl the fingers of your left hand around the neck so that they hover above the strings.

3. Relax your right arm at your side and bend it at the elbow. Keep your wrist straight and relaxed so that your right hand hovers just above the sound hole.

4. Maintain proper guitar posture as you stand. While you sit, attach a guitar strap to your guitar. Assume the correct posture and then slowly stand up. Be sure to keep your guitar in the same position as when you were sitting down.

Tips & Warnings

• While it may be popular for an electric guitar player to keep his guitar slung low in front of him while he is playing, this is neither good for his posture or for producing proper tone. To prevent injury to your back and wrists, always assume the correct posture when playing the guitar.
• Be sure to take a break from playing your guitar every so often, especially if you begin to feel tense or strained.