Guitar Essentials

Lesson Length: 2:59

Instructor: George Goodman

Explore different ways of holding the guitar and some helpful hints to making guitar playing easier.

George Goodman's Guitar and Harmonica Method

Takamine EG541SC
I am playing my black tak in this one.

This is a Takamine G Series EG541SC bought in North Carolina when I was playing in a band called Double Take.
Specs:
Top - Solid Spruce
Back - Nato
Sides - Nato
Finger Board - Rosewood
Electronics - TK40
Finish - Gloss Black
Check out more Takamine G Series Guitars

What's The Best Way For Holding The Guitar

There are 3 typical ways of holding the guitar – standard, classical, and with a strap. One goal when holding the guitar is to provide stability without using the left hand which should be free to move up and down the neck without having to hold the guitar steady. Another goal of these three positions is for the neck to point upwards slightly rather than down to prevent stress on the left wrist.

1) Standard – this is the typical way to hold the guitar while sitting. It involves placing the inward curve of the bottom of the guitar body on your right thigh with the neck pointing up slightly and to the left. This position offers three points of contact to hold the guitar steady – bottom of the guitar against the right leg, back of the guitar against the chest, and right arm securing the body of the guitar. Although this is a good position and is used by most guitarists while sitting, it isn’t necessarily the best position for all body types or for those just starting out.

2) Classical – this is the position employed by classical guitar players and involves placing the inward curve of the bottom of the guitar on your left thigh again with the neck pointing to the left and slightly upwards. This position offers more stability than the standard position as it provides four points of contact – bottom of the guitar on the left leg and the right leg as well as against the chest and right arm.

3) With A Strap – A strap can be used while standing or sitting. The strap needs to be adjusted so that the top of the guitar will rest comfortably against your chest, your right arm positions in such a way so that the guitar is held steady and your right hand is over the sound hole and the neck points to the left with an upward slant.
Everyone’s body shape is different as well as guitars fit and feel and what works best for some isn’t so great for others. Figure out which position feels best for you.