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Guitar - How to Get Started
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Buying a Guitar
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The 15 "Must-Know" Chords
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Holding the Guitar - Hand Positions
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How to Care For Your Guitar
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Tuning Your Guitar
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History of the Guitar
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Changing Your Strings
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Special Offer
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Guitar - How to Get Started
- Holding the Guitar - Hand Positions -
The Position of the Left Hand
I've often heard it said by people who want to learn to play the guitar that they'd like to learn but "their fingers are too small." Have you ever seen kids play? I mean young kids? I have. Their fingers are small but they can play anyway because FINGER SIZE DOESN'T MATTER.The problem is is that many beginners believe that their thumb rests at the top of the neck. When the thumb is there, the fingers have a tendency to lay too flat. Also when you play lead, your fingers seem to be fine when playing the 1st string but by the time you get to the 6th string (the thickest) you have no mobility.
If a chord or note buzzes place your finger directly behind the fret and squeeze a little tighter.
If your thumb is in the wrong position it'll make placing your fingers for the chords difficult and you'll wind up with "dead" sounding notes and strings that don't ring.Next you want to be sure that your fingers are coming straight down (perpendicular - you learned this in math). Notice also that the fleshy part of your hand between your thumb and index finger doesn't touch the the guitar neck.
Strum the chord slowly. One string at a time. Each note should ring clear.
If you find that a string doesn't ring clear, it is likely that the fleshy part behind your fingertip is accidently touching the string next to the one you are pressing. Push your elbow a little closer to the guitar and out from your body. This will cause your fingers to be even more perpendicular to the strings.
If you want to play clear chords and fast lead riffs, keep you thumb in this position. It's the key.
Hand Size Doesn't Matter!
This is a photo of my son playing an Em chord. He is eight years old. His hands and fingers are certainly smaller than an adults yet he is getting a clear sounding chord. Notice that his thumb and fingers are making the shape of a backwards "D."
I have found that the people who make judgements about having hands that are too small don't play the guitar themselves.
They have absolutely no experience or authority to make such a statement or judgement.
The size of your fingers is absolutely irrelevent!
The Position of the Right Hand
The proper position of the right hand and right arm on the guitar will help you to play faster and also maintain the same position whether sitting down or standing to play.
Look at the diagram of where your forearm rests on the guitar. Adjust your guitar strap so that if you are standing to play, your forearm will be in the same position as when you are sitting.
Also notice the position of the hand. Your fingers or the heel of your hand do not touch the body of the guitar. Your hand does not rest on the guitar, it "floats." The heel of your hand sits near the bridge of the guitar, ready to mute the strings by touching them to stop the string vibrations. This is refered to as a "palm mute."
The pick is placed in your right hand. Curl your index finger so that it points straight back to the knuckle of your thumb. Your thumb nail and index fingernail should be side by side. Put the pick in between your thumb and index finger with the point of the pick towards the body of the guitar.
Notice that the other fingers just relax.
It doesn't matter what thickness of pick to use, however I would suggest a thin or medium pick to begin. It is wise to have an assortment of picks in your case. There is only one rule for picks. "Any pick is better than no pick!" When you run out of picks your start looking for the liitle plastic tab that they use on bread bags.
When you strum or pick the strings, the normal area is over the soundhole on acoustic guitars or above the middle pickup on a three pickup electric. If your electric has two pickups, then between the two.
When you strum down on the guitar, strum all of the allowed strings. When you look at the chord diagram, any strings are marked with an "X" are not played. This is one of the two things that distinguish a guitarist who sounds like a player from one that sound like a hacker. The other is how the upstrum is played. When playing the upstrum, on touch the first or first and second strings.
Good right hand technique will allow you to play smoother and cleaner rhythms so that you can sound your best.
Look at the diagram of where your forearm rests on the guitar. Adjust your guitar strap so that if you are standing to play, your forearm will be in the same position as when you are sitting.Also notice the position of the hand. Your fingers or the heel of your hand do not touch the body of the guitar. Your hand does not rest on the guitar, it "floats." The heel of your hand sits near the bridge of the guitar, ready to mute the strings by touching them to stop the string vibrations. This is refered to as a "palm mute."
The pick is placed in your right hand. Curl your index finger so that it points straight back to the knuckle of your thumb. Your thumb nail and index fingernail should be side by side. Put the pick in between your thumb and index finger with the point of the pick towards the body of the guitar.
Notice that the other fingers just relax.
It doesn't matter what thickness of pick to use, however I would suggest a thin or medium pick to begin. It is wise to have an assortment of picks in your case. There is only one rule for picks. "Any pick is better than no pick!" When you run out of picks your start looking for the liitle plastic tab that they use on bread bags.
When you strum or pick the strings, the normal area is over the soundhole on acoustic guitars or above the middle pickup on a three pickup electric. If your electric has two pickups, then between the two.
When you strum down on the guitar, strum all of the allowed strings. When you look at the chord diagram, any strings are marked with an "X" are not played. This is one of the two things that distinguish a guitarist who sounds like a player from one that sound like a hacker. The other is how the upstrum is played. When playing the upstrum, on touch the first or first and second strings.
Good right hand technique will allow you to play smoother and cleaner rhythms so that you can sound your best.