How to hold a guitar while sitting and standing. Recommendations for proper seating and guitar stand

How to hold a guitar correctly. general information

One of the main advantages of having a guitar lesson with a teacher is that you will immediately be shown the correct hand placement and position with the instrument. This is quite an important factor, since how you sit directly affects the comfort of the game. If the setting is uncomfortable, then it will greatly interfere with long performances, as well as practicing the instrument. This article was created specifically so that you can instill in yourself the correct body position while playing the guitar.

Guitarist seating options

Leg to leg

This option simulates the setting with a stand, but without the stand itself. You place the notch in the guitar deck on your hip so that guitar neck was higher than the body itself, and thus you play. In this position, a large number of guitarists perform their songs – simply because it is the most convenient.

Regular Fit

The normal seating is when you put the guitar on the thigh of your left or right foot – depending on which hand you strike the strings with – and play it that way. This is an even more common way to hold the instrument and is used by many musicians.

Classic fit

This is how children are taught to play in a music school. The guitar was originally played with this seat, and many still play music with it today. The bottom line is that you put the guitar between your legs, resting the cutout in the deck on your left – if you are right-handed, or on your right – if left-handed – foot. Thus, the position of the guitar begins to resemble a double bass a bit. The bar sits over your shoulder, making it much easier to play.

Classic fit with footrest

The same, but now there is a special stand under the foot, which helps to stabilize the tool and make it more stable.

How to hold a guitar while sitting (analysis of a classic landing)

Use a comfortable chair

The most important thing is that the chair you are sitting in is comfortable for you. If possible, choose the most comfortable option for you and play on it. This will not only allow you to exercise and play longer, but also eliminate possible physiological problems.

Sit at the front of a chair to avoid slouching

You can rephrase this rule a little – just do not slouch during the game. This negatively affects not only comfort, but also greatly overloads the muscles, which threatens problems with the spine.

Put your feet in a full foot

This is also necessary for greater comfort and stabilization of the position of the guitar in your hands. It is very uncomfortable to play with dangling legs, so try not to do it.

Put the guitar on your right or left thigh

Keeping it on weight is also not worth it if you play sitting. It’s pretty obvious and most people don’t do it anyway.

Balance the guitar by holding it with your right forearm and wrist.

The guitar should not slide down, and its neck should always be slightly higher than the soundboard. This is very important because it directly affects positioning of the left hand.In addition, if you fail the guitar, you will not be able to play solo parts well, and even more so – fast passages.

How to hold a guitar while standing

Buy a guitar strap

When playing while standing, the guitar hangs on a belt. No need to try to hold it in your hands – this is not only terribly inconvenient, but also significantly interferes with playing. Therefore, buy yourself a strap to hang the tool on your shoulder.

Make sure there are straplocks on the guitar and straps on the strap

Streplocks –an optional item, but which will greatly simplify the game process for you. Unlike conventional mounts, they attach the strap to the guitar so it doesn’t come off while you play. They should definitely be acquired as early as possible, just for the sake of your personal comfort.

Adjust the strap to suit your playing style

Hang your guitar the way you want. Some guitarists lower it literally to the level of the hips, some lift it under the chin. Strive not to look cool with a guitar, but to personally feel comfortable playing it.

Neck angle should be 45 degrees.

Or a little less – the main thing is that it is higher than the body of the guitar. This will make it more convenient to play it with your left hand, and always see what exactly you are clamping at the moment.

Try to keep your feet hip-width apart

This will make your position more stable, and you will not fall if you suddenly trip on a cord or something else.

Before playing the electric guitar, pass the wire through the strap on the right side

Another way to protect yourself from tripping or accidentally pulling the cord with your foot. If you throw it over the belt, then it will always be behind you, and you will not step on it during the performance.

We are working on the setting of the right and left hands

How to keep your hands on the guitar

Your hands should be relaxed, especially the one with which you hit the strings. It should hang freely against the socket or pickup. Make sure that she does not overexert herself, because the clarity of the execution of your parts depends on this, as well as their speed.

How to keep your fingers on the fretboard of a guitar

The thumb should be perpendicular to the neck, or slightly wrap around it when playing high strings. So the hand keeps it stable, but at the same time as relaxed as possible and not unnecessarily tense, doing such a thing, how to put chords.

How to keep your fingers on the guitar

The right hand should be relaxed and literally hanging, making characteristic movements. This is the only rule to be followed. Each person’s fingers can hold differently, so you should not pay attention to this.

How to hold guitar chords

The main rule is to follow position of the left hand. It should be relaxed even if you are barre. Of course, all triads should sound bright and without overtones, but do not overexert your hand.

How to hold a bass guitar correctly

The bass guitar holds exactly the same as a normal guitar. In addition, there is a contrabass grip when you hold it like this very instrument, but it is extremely rare and unpopular.

Which foot is best to hold the guitar on?

The short answer is, which one is convenient. It does not matter, because the main thing here is that the instrument does not collapse, and you are in a relaxed position.

General recommendations for proper seating and standing with a guitar

Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed

This will avoid back problems and will also relax your body so that it does not get tight, and you can play and perform your compositions for a long time.

Keep your shoulder line at the same horizontal level to avoid injury.

Again, this will save you from back problems and relax your body.

Use a mirror to observe the position

This is quite important – in this way you will be able to control yourself and get used to always sitting correctly. However, keep in mind that your body may ache after long sessions, as this is a slightly unnatural position for the muscles. This will pass with time.

Avoid too long workouts without a break in one position

Muscles must rest. Take small breaks during classes so that the muscles can relax – drink tea, warm up. This is beneficial both for the exercises themselves and for the body.