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Beginner • Lesson 2

Holding the Guitar

15 min read

Why Posture Matters

Good posture isn't just about looking professional - it prevents injury, reduces fatigue, and makes playing much easier. Bad habits formed early are hard to break, so let's start right!

Sitting Position

Classic Position

  1. Sit on a chair or stool without arms
  2. Keep your back straight (no slouching!)
  3. Place the guitar body on your right thigh (for right-handed players)
  4. The neck should angle slightly upward (about 45 degrees)
  5. Rest your strumming arm over the top of the guitar body

Pro Tip

Classical guitarists often rest the guitar on their left thigh and use a footstool. This is optional for beginners, but helps position the neck higher.

Fretting Hand (Left Hand)

Your left hand presses the strings to make chords and notes:

  • Thumb Position: Place your thumb behind the neck, roughly opposite your middle finger. Don't wrap it over the top (yet).
  • Curved Fingers: Keep your fingers curved like you're holding a tennis ball. Press with the tips, not the pads.
  • Wrist Position: Keep your wrist relatively straight. Avoid bending it too much.
  • Press Near the Fret: When pressing a string, position your finger just behind the fret (toward the headstock), not directly on it.

Strumming Hand (Right Hand)

Your right hand strums and picks the strings:

  • Arm Position: Rest your forearm on the top edge of the guitar body
  • Wrist Motion: Strum from your wrist, not your elbow
  • Relaxed Grip: Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger, loosely
  • Hover Zone: Your hand should hover over the sound hole (acoustic) or pickups (electric)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Death Grip

Don't squeeze the neck too hard. Use minimum pressure needed for a clean sound.

❌ Slouching

Sit up straight! Hunching over strains your back and limits your playing.

❌ Guitar Too Flat

Tilt the neck up. If you can see the fretboard easily, you're in good shape.

Practice Exercise

Set a timer for 5 minutes. Sit with your guitar in proper position and just hold it. Adjust until you're comfortable. This may feel awkward at first, but your body will adapt!

Lesson Complete!

You've learned proper guitar posture and hand positioning. Next up: tuning your guitar!

PreviousNext: Tuning Your Guitar