As a Guitar Beginner, Does It Matter How You Hold Your Guitar?
Surely there's nothing to it, grabbing your guitar, and starting to play. It's easy, obviously. Well, actually, yes it is. But it's still important to learn to hold your instrument and set yourself up to play properly. When you're just beginning guitar, it's easy to get into bad habits, then wonder why your neck aches, your arms are hurting, your fingers burning - and you're only a few minutes into your first song. Just taking a short time to learn how to hold your guitar properly will make the rest of your guitar playing much more enjoyable, and easier. There are 3 main methods.
The first method is called the 'casual' method. If you are playing some beginner guitar songs on an acoustic guitar, find yourself a comfortable chair (that you can sit up in). Now, rest the guitar in your lap. The body of the guitar should be held in close to you. The neck of the guitar will be pointing outward to your left. With your left hand you will be able to to easily hold down some of the strings on the fretboard. With your right hand, you will hold a pick (or plectrum) and be in position to play the strings. You should grip the plectrum firmly between your thumb and first finger.
The next method is referred to as the 'classical' method. In this case, you will need a foot stool (which can be obtained in most music stores for between $10-20). Your left foot should be placed on the stool, with the guitar sitting upon your left leg. Your right arm goes over the guitar, to keep it in place. You will observe that as you bring your left hand up to the neck of the guitar, it sticks out further than the previous method. This is an advantage, as you have much better access to all of the frets. This helps, as classical pieces found throughout a series of guitar tutorials are by their nature more difficult to play.
Finally, you may choose to hold your guitar while standing up. If you progress from guitar beginner all the way to playing in front of audiences, you will, of course, need to perform this way. Firstly, you'll require a guitar strap. These can cost anything from a few dollars to more than $30. Your guitar will need to have strap buttons unless you use a strap that ties to the head stock of your instrument. An adjustable strap allows you to choose whether you wear the guitar high or low on your body. Having it high gives you good access to the neck, and is probably best if you are still relatively inexperienced.
The first method is called the 'casual' method. If you are playing some beginner guitar songs on an acoustic guitar, find yourself a comfortable chair (that you can sit up in). Now, rest the guitar in your lap. The body of the guitar should be held in close to you. The neck of the guitar will be pointing outward to your left. With your left hand you will be able to to easily hold down some of the strings on the fretboard. With your right hand, you will hold a pick (or plectrum) and be in position to play the strings. You should grip the plectrum firmly between your thumb and first finger.
The next method is referred to as the 'classical' method. In this case, you will need a foot stool (which can be obtained in most music stores for between $10-20). Your left foot should be placed on the stool, with the guitar sitting upon your left leg. Your right arm goes over the guitar, to keep it in place. You will observe that as you bring your left hand up to the neck of the guitar, it sticks out further than the previous method. This is an advantage, as you have much better access to all of the frets. This helps, as classical pieces found throughout a series of guitar tutorials are by their nature more difficult to play.
Finally, you may choose to hold your guitar while standing up. If you progress from guitar beginner all the way to playing in front of audiences, you will, of course, need to perform this way. Firstly, you'll require a guitar strap. These can cost anything from a few dollars to more than $30. Your guitar will need to have strap buttons unless you use a strap that ties to the head stock of your instrument. An adjustable strap allows you to choose whether you wear the guitar high or low on your body. Having it high gives you good access to the neck, and is probably best if you are still relatively inexperienced.
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