Playing Guitar the Proper Way

[Marianne Preston]

Playing guitar the proper way is essential in order for you not only
so that you do not strain your back, but also so that you produce
proper sound. Here we first examine how to hold the guitar properly
and also what your body position should be so that you can play guitar
for years free of discomfort and errors. So here are a few tips to
help you do this.
Take the guitar and hold it with the back against your stomach. If you
are right handed, point the neck to the left. At this point we will
give tips on the perspective of someone who is right handed but at the
end of the article you will find tips if you are left handed. Now lay
the body of the guitar on your upper right thigh. Then with your left
hand grab the guitar neck and wrap your right arm round the body of
the guitar. You can now place the right hand on the strings. If you
don't feel comfortable shift around the position of your body until
you are.
While playing guitar use your left hand to press the string and
construct chords. Your left hand fingers are bent and pressed down on
the strings and fret board. The smooth curves of the neck of the
guitar are such that your hand fits into it snugly and comfortably
while your thumb is easily arched over the top of the neck. When you
construct chords the position where the thumb is situated is ideal for
when you build chords. An alternative which is also quite popular when
playing guitar scales, is to press the left thumb on the back of the
neck of the guitar. The best thing to do is for you to find out which
position is more comfortable for you by trying both and then go for
the one that feels right.
Be aware of your position when you are playing guitar for the first
time. The top part of the guitar should have your right biceps resting
on it. Remember that getting into bad bad habits playing guitar early
on it will definitely affect you in the long term so nip them at the
bud now. Having your right arm positioned on top of the guitar and
your hand placed over the sound hole (where the sound of the guitar
comes from) you should now use your right hand and start strumming the
strings.
When playing guitar picks are often used. These should be held between
the forefinger and your right hand's thumb. Once that is done just
pull the pick across the guitar's strings just as you would do if you
used your fingers but do it exerting more pressure.
If you are left handed you should do the above in reverse. Also you
can easily re-string a right handed guitar and reverse the order of
the string so that it plays like a custom made left handed guitar. Or
you could simply have a custom made left handed guitar if you prefer.
Proper position while playing guitar not only serves the purpose of
allowing to play the guitar without unnecessary discomfort, but
additionally it really helps to produce the right sound coming from
your acoustic guitar. So it is crucial that you really take time to
learn how to position your body in the right way as well as holding
the guitar in the proper manner.