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Playing guitar: how to do it the right way

by: DomVarga
Total views: 15 | Word Count: 433

Without the proper posture, playing guitar for long periods of time can cause back strain. Here are a couple of tips about holding your guitar in the correct fashion. Pick up the guitar so that the back of the guitar rests against your stomach. If you play right handed the neck of the guitar should be aiming towards the left. Gently rest the body of the guitar against your upper right thigh. You should hold the guitar neck with your left hand and drape your right arm over the body of the guitar so that your hands can easily reach the strings. Your position should feel both comfortable and natural while you are playing guitar.

For right handed players, you will use your left hand to form the notes and chords. Bend the fingers on your left hand so they are pressing the strings down on the fret board.

The guitar neck's back is curved, so that your hand will naturally conform with the shape of its neck. Your thumb should arch over the top of the neck when you hold it properly. From there, your thumb is in position for constructing chords.When you are constructing chords it is ok to press your thumb into the back of the guitar neck, albeit this is more in common with playing guitar scales. You should try both thumb positions and then you will be able to use the one that is most comfortable for you.

Strum the strings with your right hand to make sounds. Position your right arm over the body of the guitar. Your right bicep should rest on the top of the guitar. Position your right hand in front of the guitar's sound hole. When playing guitar, the sound comes out of the sound hole.

Many people chose to play guitar with a pick. In order to use a pick it should be held between the forefinger and thumb of your dominant hand. Then the pick is pulled across the strings in order to "strum". It is similar to plucking, but more pressure is necessary then you would use with just your fingers.

If you're left handed, you'll be happy to know that guitars are available for left-handed players. If you can't find a suitable one for playing guitar left-handed, simply buy a regular guitar and have re-stringing done to reverse the order of the strings.

When playing guitar, holding the instrument properly as well as maintaining a good posture permits you to play longer and is crucial to achieving the correct tone. Get into the habit of starting properly and it will serve you well.

About the Author

Dom Artosa is a keen musician who has been playing guitar for a long time. Find out more about how you too can start playing guitar on his web site: acoustic guitars shops, a one stop shop for all acoustic guitar players.

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