Let’s start off by highlighting something important for every new guitar player out there: holding a guitar correctly is the first basic technique a beginner should learn. It sounds simple, but it’s a foundation you’ll build on for the rest of your guitar-playing life.
It’s not just about comfort; it’s about making every chord and note easier to play. Ensuring that your guitar posture and hand positioning are on point is critical for your development as a musician.
Now, it doesn’t matter if you’re right or left-handed, the concept will remain the same, and it’s applicable to everyone. Your fretting hand, which is the hand you use to press down the strings on the fretboard, should rest in a way that feels natural to you.
It should be slightly angled from your wrist, giving you the freedom to comfortably spread your fingers over the strings. This position will allow you to reach for notes and chords with precision and, most importantly, without strain.
As for your strumming or picking hand, the key is to keep it relaxed. This is where I like to employ the ‘loosy goosy’ approach. Allow your hand to move fluidly, whether you’re using a guitar pick or your thumb.
Please don’t worry too much about getting it perfect from the start, it’s about developing a feel for the movement. Let go of any stiffness, and over time these motions will become second nature, leaving you to focus on your music.
In my experience, I’ve seen countless learners trying too hard to force their hands into what they believe is the ‘right’ position. I’m here to help you understand that while there is a ‘right’ way, it’s also about what feels right for you.
By choosing a posture that’s comfortable to you, the ‘right’ way will naturally follow as you practice and adjust.
And as we move on, I’ll share some practical tips to help ingrain these basic techniques into your muscle memory. It’s all about consistent practice, and before you know it, these techniques will serve as the backbone for everything else you’ll learn.
I’ve been playing guitar 40 years now; writing, recording, and rocking in bands. Randy Rhoads, Warren DiMartini, and of course, Jimi Hendrix all lit the fire for me, and I’ve been chasing that passion ever since.
