When you're learning to play the guitar, one of the first questions you may ask yourself is, "how do I hold the guitar?" In this beginner guitar lesson, we'll be going over four common methods for holding your guitar.
Having an idea of the proper way to hold your guitar is important for staving off injuries and avoiding bad playing habits. Each of these methods works equally well, and it's totally up to you which one you decide you want to use in your practice time. Two things you may want to have to try out these methods are a strap and a foot stool.
The Casual Method
The first and most common method for holding the guitar is called the casual method. This method just requires you to place the body of the guitar on your right leg. This position tends to be the most comfortable for most people, but it doesn't give you quite the same fretboard access as the other methods. You may find it helpful to place a foot stool under the foot of the leg you're resting the guitar on.
The Classical Method
The classical method is similar to the casual method, except you move the body of the guitar to your left leg. This tilts the fretboard towards your head and makes it easier to access the fretboard. This method can sometimes be tiring over long periods of time, so be careful not to slouch. Placing a foot stool beneath your left foot will make this position much more comfortable.
Standing With A Strap
Standing with a strap is the main way you would be playing if you were playing at a gig. If you plan on playing in front of people, it's a good idea to get used to it in your practice time. A good tip is to adjust the strap so the guitar is at the same height as when you sit down with your guitar.
Sitting With A Strap
The last method we'll look at is sitting with a strap. This can be a handy way to keep your guitar in place when you're sitting. You can use it with both the casual method and the classical method.
Experiment with these methods to find which one works best for you. It's important to focus on proper posture and listen to your body so you don't do anything to hurt yourself long term.
This lesson is just a small excerpt from the GuitarLessons.com Academy. There, you can fast track your progress on the guitar with step-by-step video lessons, fun play-along songs, and all the community support you need. If you want to watch the rest of the series that this lesson was taken from and continue to build on your momentum, you can head over to www.guitarlessons.com/academy and try it risk-free for 90 days.
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