To hold a guitar correctly, sit with the guitar on your right leg, or on your left leg in the classical position, keep the neck angled up at about 45 degrees, rest your right forearm on the body, and keep your left wrist straight, with your thumb behind the neck. The guitar should be stable, so your hands are free to play.
How do you hold a guitar correctly?
To hold a guitar correctly, sit with the guitar on your right leg, or on your left leg in the classical position, keep the neck angled up at about 45 degrees, rest your right forearm on the body, and keep your left wrist straight, with your thumb behind the neck. The guitar should be stable, so your hands are free to play, and the neck should not fall, and the body should not slide, and the player should be comfortable, because a comfortable player plays better, and an uncomfortable player tenses up, and the tension makes the playing worse. The two positions are the casual position and the classical position, and the choice depends on the style and the player. The casual position has the guitar on the right leg, for a right-handed player, with the neck angled up, and the right forearm resting on the body, and it is the position most players use for folk, rock, and pop, because it is relaxed and natural. The classical position has the guitar on the left leg, raised by a footstool, with the neck angled up steeply, and the body between the legs, and it is the position classical guitarists use, because it gives the left hand the best access to the fretboard, and the right hand the best angle to the strings. The G major guitar chord and the C major guitar chord are the chords most players first hold the guitar for, and the metronome keeps the beat steady.
How holding a guitar works
Holding a guitar works by balancing the guitar on the leg, with the forearm on the body, so the guitar is stable, and the hands are free. The guitar body rests on the leg, and the waist of the guitar, the narrow part, sits on the leg, and the body is held against the chest, by the right forearm, and the neck is held up by the left hand, but the left hand should not support the neck, because the left hand must be free to move, and the neck should be held up by the angle, not by the hand. The strap can help, even when sitting, because it holds the guitar up, and the hands are free, and the guitar does not slide. The left wrist should be straight, not bent, because a bent wrist puts strain on the wrist and the forearm, and the strain becomes pain, and the pain makes the playing worse. The thumb should be behind the neck, opposite the fingers, giving support, not squeezing, because the squeeze causes pain and fatigue, and the support is what the thumb is for. The right forearm should rest on the body, not press down on it, because pressing down will mute the strings, and the forearm is the anchor, not the weight. The D major guitar chord and the A major guitar chord are the chords the holding is built on.
Worked example — checking your holding position. Sit with the guitar on your right leg, and check three things: is the neck angled up at about 45 degrees, or is it flat, and if it is flat, raise it, because a flat neck makes the left hand work harder; is your left wrist straight, or is it bent, and if it is bent, straighten it, by raising the neck a little; and is your right forearm resting on the body, or is it pressing down, and if it is pressing down, relax it, because the forearm is the anchor, not the weight. Now play a G major chord, and a C major chord, and change between them, and the guitar should be stable, and the hands should be free, and the chords should ring cleanly. The I–V–vi–IV progression in C major is a good progression to check the holding with.
How to practise holding a guitar correctly
Practise holding a guitar by checking your position before you play, and by playing with a strap, so the guitar is stable, and your hands are free.
- Sit with the guitar on your right leg, and check that the neck is angled up at about 45 degrees, and your left wrist is straight, and your thumb is behind the neck.
- Try the classical position, with the guitar on your left leg, raised by a footstool, and compare the access to the fretboard with the casual position.
- Play the I–V–vi–IV progression in C major and check that the guitar is stable, and the hands are free, and the chords ring cleanly.
- Practise with a strap, even when sitting, so the guitar is held up, and the hands are free, and the guitar does not slide.
- Practise standing with a strap, and adjust the strap so the guitar is at the same height as when you sit, so the playing is the same, standing or sitting.
Common mistakes
- Letting the neck fall — A neck that falls makes the left hand support the guitar, instead of playing it, and the hand will tire, and the chords will be slow. Raise the neck to about 45 degrees, and let the leg and the forearm hold the guitar, so the left hand is free.
- Bending the left wrist — A bent wrist puts strain on the wrist and the forearm, and the strain becomes pain, and the pain makes the playing worse. Keep the wrist straight, raise the neck a little, and let the thumb support the neck, behind it, not squeezing.
- Pressing the right forearm down on the body — A forearm pressed down on the body will mute the strings, and the sound will be dead, because the body cannot vibrate. Rest the forearm on the body, lightly, as an anchor, not as a weight, and the guitar will ring.
Quick reference
This table compares the casual and classical holding positions side by side, so you can see the differences at a glance. The casual position is relaxed and natural, and it is used for folk, rock, and pop, while the classical position gives the best access to the fretboard, and it is used for classical guitar.
| Casual position | Classical position | |
|---|---|---|
| Guitar on | Right leg | Left leg, raised by a footstool |
| Neck angle | About 45 degrees | Steep, about 45 degrees or more |
| Right forearm | Rests on the body | Rests on the body, more upright |
| Left hand access | Good | Best, fretboard is clear |
| Styles | Folk, rock, pop | Classical |
Use the table to choose your position: if you play folk, rock, or pop, use the casual position, and if you play classical, use the classical position, and try both, so you know the difference. When you can hold the guitar comfortably, with the neck up and the wrist straight, you have the position, and the playing will follow.
Frequently asked questions
How do I hold a guitar correctly?
Sit with the guitar on your right leg, or on your left leg in the classical position, keep the neck angled up at about 45 degrees, rest your right forearm on the body, and keep your left wrist straight, with your thumb behind the neck.
Should I use a strap when I sit?
Yes, if it helps. A strap holds the guitar up, even when sitting, so the hands are free, and the guitar does not slide, and the playing is the same, sitting or standing, because the guitar is at the same height.
What is the classical position?
The classical position has the guitar on the left leg, raised by a footstool, with the neck angled up steeply, and the body between the legs, and it gives the left hand the best access to the fretboard, and the right hand the best angle to the strings.
Why does my left wrist hurt when I play?
Because the wrist is bent, and the neck is too low, or the thumb is squeezing, and the strain becomes pain. Keep the wrist straight, raise the neck, and let the thumb support the neck, behind it, not squeezing, and the pain will go away.
Can I play guitar standing up?
Yes, with a strap, adjusted so the guitar is at the same height as when you sit, so the playing is the same, standing or sitting. A strap that is too low will make the left hand work harder, and the chords will be slow.