How to Practice Body and Hand Position on Guitar

Correct body and hand position will allow you to play guitar over an extended period of time without getting tired or cramped.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Capo
• Guitar Amplifiers
• Guitar Cables
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitar Strings
• Guitars
• Sheet Music For Guitar
• Electronic Tuner For Guitars
• Chairs
• Footstools

Beginning Playing Position

1. Practice sitting down. It's more comfortable than standing and far easier to assume correct positioning when sitting. And your arms and body won't cramp as quickly.
2. Rest the guitar on your right leg.
3. Try crossing your legs and see if that's more comfortable for you. This will elevate the position of the instrument.
4. Be careful not to have the neck of your guitar point downward.
5. Sit up straight. To avoid back pain, try not to lean over your guitar.

Classic Playing Position

6. Rest your instrument on your left leg.
7. Let your elbow hang naturally; this will give your left hand more flexibility. Your right hand should now fit comfortably on the strings.
8. Place your left foot on a small stool for the "classic" playing position.

Hand Position

9. Keep your left elbow and wrist relaxed.
10. Avoid positioning that strains your left wrist and elbow.
11. Place your left hand so that the hand is arched and the fingers can fall straight down on the strings.
12. Press down with the tips of your fingers instead of the fleshy part. This will help your technique.
13. Make sure that, like your left hand, your right elbow and wrist are loose.
14. Have your right arm pivot at the widest point on the guitar; make certain the arm feels comfortable.
15. Relax your right hand.
16. Notice that the tone varies depending on where you pluck the strings. The closer you get to the fingerboard, the mellower the tone. The sound is sharper when you play closer to the bridge.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are left-handed, use the same position, in reverse. Reversing the strings to accommodate left-handed guitarists usually causes more problems than it solves; it's not recommended.
• Placing the guitar on your left leg might be uncomfortable in the beginning, but this position is best for playing classic and flamenco styles - it makes fingering easier by bringing the guitar neck closer to your body.
• With some larger guitars, your right arm will pivot further back and will be at a sharper angle to the strings. Make certain that your right arm feels comfortable to you.