Guitar Essentials

Lesson Length: 6:38

Instructor: George Goodman

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

Right Hand Position Without a Pick
The upper portion of your right arm holds the guitar against your body while your right hand is positioned over the sound hole with your right thumb pointing down the neck and your right hand fingers pointing towards the ground. Most commonly, when finger picking, the right thumb is used for playing the fourth, fifth, and sixth strings while the first, second, and third strings are played with the third, second, and first fingers respectively.
Because of the hand orientation, the thumb plays in a downwards motion while the fingers will play in a pulling up motion.

Right Hand Position With a Pick
Finding the exact fit for the pick is a matter of personal preference but here are some guidelines. Place the pick along the first finger of your right hand so that the end of the pick extends just past the end of your finger. Cross your thumb over to hold the pick in place and then slightly turn your index finger down.
The other fingers of your right hand should be relaxed and out of the way.
You will find that the pick moves around a bit and that you will be adjusting it as you are playing. You will probably also find that you will position the pick differently for different styles of playing. For a heavier strum
you may want to let more of the pick be exposed which gives a different percussive sound.

Strumming
Strumming is the down and up motion of the pick against the strings. Strumming down is a down stroke and strumming up is an upstroke.
When strumming, where the right hand is positioned when striking the strings relative to the sound hole affects the sound. Generally, you want your right hand positioned over the middle of the sound hole. The goal is to keep your hand close to the strings using as little excess movement as possible. That way you keep your hand in position for whatever comes next.
During strumming, motion comes predominantly from the wrist and forearm with less movement at the elbow. A gentle rolling of the right forearm and wrist will allow a nice even strum.
It’s important to stay relaxed. Don’t tense up your forearm or shoulders.

Left Hand Position
The left hand needs to be free to move up and down the fretboard without having to keep the guitar stable. Reach under the neck and put your thumb on the back of the neck to give stability to the fingers which will be forming notes on the fretboard.
Generally, when forming chords you want arched fingers so that the tips of your fingers are used to push the strings down onto the neck. This allows for a single finger to fret a single string without touching any of the other strings.
The easiest place to put your finger to make a good sounding note is right up close to the fret. You don’t have to push down on the fretboard as hard nearer the fret as you do when you move back away from the fret. The further back from the fret, the harder you need to push down to get a clean sound.
The left arm should hang freely and comfortably. Don’t hold your elbow in close to your side or have tension in your shoulder.