Copyright The Guitar Butler 2009
a site made by guitarists for guitarists
Although you can use a strap with your guitar and stand up to play. As a beginner its best to sit down with your guitar, and rest the arch of the body on your leg.
People always have different styles and ways they hold the guitar. The most comfortable for you is usually best.
Using your fretting hand, anchor your thumb on the back of the neck, and allow your fingers to grip around onto the strings. Again, do it comfortably and not to much pressure.
Your picking arm should rest slightly over the top of the body, this is a bit hard with thin bodied guitars, but what you are looking for is to slightly rest your arm so that your hand is hanging above the strings. Resting or anchoring your arm will help keep your hand steady. You wnat to be able to strum your pick across the strings easily, to get a smooth sound and fast movement.
Strumming and picking the strings are slightly different than each other. Strumming usually requires more lower arm pendulum motion and picking uses more of the same action but in the hand and wrist.
Holding your pick or plectrum can be a bit different with most people. Try holding it between your thumb and your 1st and 2nd fingers. Some people tuck their 3rd and 4th fingers up so they are almost holding a fist. Some people like to point their 3rd and 4th fingers straight out for a much flatter, closer attack. These fingers can be floating or even used to help anchor your hand in position.
holding the guitar