Table of Content
- How to Hold a Guitar?
- Holding the Guitar While Sitting
- Holding the Guitar While Standing
- How to Hold a Pick?
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Conclusion
Introduction
If you dream of playing guitar like a pro, everything begins with the basics! One of the most crucial aspects of mastering those basics is how you hold your guitar and pick. Good posture is a wonderful habit to cultivate right from the start. After all, with good posture, you’ll enjoy playing more and radiate confidence during your performances! It might surprise you that poor posture can hold you back, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and even injuries over time. On the flip side, the right posture paves the way for your success. In this blog, we’ll explore how to hold a guitar correctly, and in the process, help you find the best posture for gripping both the guitar and the pick!
But before that…
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How to Hold a Guitar?
A guitar is most commonly played either by sitting down or standing up. Even though the basics are the same, there is a slight difference in both positions. Here is a deep dive into both positions one by one.
- Holding the Guitar While Sitting
When you are settling in to play, make sure to pick a chair or stool that doesn’t have armrests. This way, you can move your arms freely and stay completely focused on your music. Make sure to sit up straight, but keep it relaxed—no need to slouch! Maintaining a good posture helps you stay comfortable and lets you enjoy playing for longer stretches without any discomfort.
Now, rest the guitar on your right thigh if you’re right-handed, or your left thigh if you’re left-handed. Tilt the guitar slightly towards you, so the neck is angled slightly upward. This makes it easier to see the fretboard and reduces strain on your fretting hand. – Don’t place the guitar flat on your lap because it can make your wrist bend awkwardly and affect your reach.
If you feel the need for added support, consider using a footrest to elevate your leg, which is common in classical guitar posture. Avoid gripping the neck too tightly or wrapping your thumb over the fretboard unless the technique requires it. Alternatively, you can use a guitar support accessory that helps maintain an ergonomic position while keeping the guitar stable.
2. Holding the Guitar While Standing
If you are playing, standing up, having a well-adjusted guitar strap is really important. Make sure to attach the strap securely to the strap buttons on your guitar, and adjust it so that it rests comfortably at your chest or waist level. Try to keep the guitar in a position that feels similar to when you’re sitting, which helps maintain consistency in your playing posture.
Hold the guitar gently against your body, tilting the neck a little up. This way, it’s easier to reach the fretboard, especially when you play chords or solo parts. Make sure your picking hand is comfortable on the top of the guitar, so you can focus on playing with your fretting hand without having to hold the guitar up.
Lastly, make sure to stand with your shoulders relaxed and your feet positioned shoulder-width apart for stability. You must also at all times avoid leaning forward excessively, as this can strain your neck and back. Maintaining a neutral spine ensures you remain comfortable, even during long practice sessions or performances.
How to Hold a Pick?
Along with holding the guitar correctly, it is also important to know how to hold the pick the right way to feel comfortable and play well. If you are just starting, it’s a good idea to use a medium-thickness pick, which is about 0.71 to 0.84 mm thick. To hold the pick, place it on the soft part of your index finger. Then, use your thumb to gently hold it in place. Try to let about one-third of the pick stick out.
As you get comfortable with the pick, try tilting it a bit when it touches the strings. This small change will make it move smoothly over the strings whether you’re strumming or picking. You must also keep your wrist loose and flexible. This helps you play smoothly and with control. A stiff wrist can make your playing sound choppy and tire you out.
Remember to be patient with yourself, as it may take some time to learn to hold the pick comfortably. Practice slow, deliberate movements until it feels natural and easy, but be wary of some common mistakes that beginners often seem to make.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- One of the most common mistakes beginners make is gripping the pick or guitar neck too tightly as it can lead to unnecessary tension and can also hinder your ability to reach certain chords.
- Beginners also often use too much arm movement when strumming, rather than relying on the wrist. This makes strumming less precise and tiring. If you are just starting your guitar learning journey, you can read our blog “The Complete Guide to Learning Guitar for all Skill Levels.”
- Additionally, some new players tend to look down at their hands constantly, which disrupts rhythm and playing flow. Try to glance at your hands only when needed and focus on developing muscle memory instead.
Conclusion
To sum things up, good music begins with good habits, and proper guitar posture is one of the most important habits to cultivate. Whether it’s learning how to hold the guitar comfortably or mastering how to hold the pick with confidence, these small details add up to big progress.
For those who are eager and actively looking to advance their skills, consider enrolling in our online guitar course, as it can be a game-changer for your music. At our platform, we offer tailored online guitar lessons that make it easy to learn guitar step-by-step. With our guidance at Artium Academy, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. So pick up your guitar, adjust your posture, and let the music begin!
