This guided series of video lessons will teach you the same material you would learn during the first several months of private instruction. It should not come over the top of the guitar’s neck, and it should not behind the fingers. We will then move on to the techniques you will need to play a wide variety of songs. I used to cradle it, but I've started trying to play it the way my teachers have always said I should: with the thumb at the center of the back of the neck. For right-handed players: How do you hold your guitar with your left hand: cradled in your palm, thumb positioned at the center of the back of the neck, or somewhere in between? Continue this motion with the rest of your fingers: ring, middle, and then your index finger. The right hand thumb is a quite busy finger and it will usually pluck more than one string. Wrap your fingers around the neck, as if you were going to do a pull-up, and let the arm hang. So think of the preceding guidelines as just that: guidelines. I also cover a left hand exercise near the end of the video. Instead it should be slightly to the left of the fingers. 2. Because of the demands of left hand playing, it is not always possible to stay in this position. On the Guitar: Perform clapping/closing right hand motion as described for off the guitar. Isn't there any buzzling sound when we use chord? Left hand position and finger placement (fretting hand) The thumb of your fretting hand should rest behind the neck of the guitar placing it approximately between your first two fingers. I think there are two general types of hand positions that are useful when playing guitar. Good Positioning – the left hand fingers are naturally curved and position in the middle of their range of motion. This technique is essential for Blues, Rock and many other styles - I have included a couple of old lessons here but I think you're much better of learning these techniques in context and they're included in my Blues Lead Guitar 1: Essential module where you'll learn all about the technique and some cool licks (words) to put them to use in! Watch the Left-Hand Thumb Position online guitar lesson by Bruce Arnold from Guitar Physiology Survival Guide In its position on the other side of the neck, the thumb needs to stay between your index and middle finger. Thanks for sharing this lesson, I hope your readers get a lot out of it! Join us at one of our upcoming events! 3. I’ve expanded on it to discuss the left thumb in general. Everybody has a slightly different approach, but there are some general guidlines to follow. Because of the demands of left hand playing, it is not always possible to stay in this position. Relax everything—neck, shoulders, elbow, wrist, and mouth. Left Hand Position on Guitar: How to Use Your Fretting Hand Last updated: April 15, 2020 by Nate 2 Comments O.k. A neutral position for the thumb is vertically in the middle of the neck and laterally in line with your index finger. Make sure you have a good guitar strap, adjust it to a comfortable length (forget slinging it down around your knees — looks cool, but it’s a crap playing position) and regularly practice playing while you’re standing up. 5. String Bending. This is a good starting position but it may vary depending on what notes or chords you are playing and possibly hand size. Take a good look. The correct left hand position can have a big effect on how easy it is to play the guitar. In some ways it makes sense that in order to stay in position you need to have a reference point which is usually the thumb. For the best right hand position, see here . Too often students lag their thumb behind as they move up the neck. 1. The finger’s base knuckles are in front of the fretboard, in other words, opposite the player from the fretboard. What is the correct left hand position on guitar. Thank you very much for this very good explanation! raterriegui. I studied classical guitar for years. To find the best general position for your left shoulder, upper arm, forearm, and wrist, position your guitar and right arm properly, then drop your entire left arm (or right, if you’re left-handed) from the shoulder toward the ground. It should have no more than 10 degrees of arch, 20 degrees at the absolute maximum. The thumb is open, relaxed, and to the left of the fingers. You can also subscribe without commenting. The large base knuckles of the finger are positioned on the side of the fretboard opposite the player. Why? It will be up to you to keep an eye on yourself as you continue in this course, and make sure those proper positions are becoming habitual. You’ll also learn the tips and tricks that separate a real guitarist from a beginner. Curving the fingers is certainly advantageous, although we may differ slightly on what we believe to be the ideal thumb position. It is extremely important to learn the correct fretting hand position for playing the guitar. Lesson of the Week – Left hand thumb position This is a Q&A via email Youtube Video Link (4k Quality) A discussion and lesson about the left hand thumb position for classical guitar. No wrist flexion or extension. This gives the left-hand fingers the largest range of movement across the guitar neck. One of the most ... almost perpendicular to the neck of the guitar. We will discuss where to place the thumb of your left hand on the back of the guitar neck for the best results. The pad, not the tip, contacts the guitar.Like the right thumb, the tip joint stays straight (or rather, we don’t bend it).Depending on what the fingers and the music are doing, the thumb may be nearer the top or the bottom of the guitar neck. First hold your left hand (or fretting hand) in a relaxed position. Perfect post and photos! We’ll also demonstrate how thumb position can affect the ability of your other left hand fingers to stretch over the frets. Now engage only the left biceps to bring your hand to the guitar’s neck at the fifth fret. When you hold your guitar, your fretting hand should not be involved in keeping it in place. Below are examples of poor positioning, followed by good positioning. One of the most common problems beginners will have is getting a sore thumb. Assume Your Best General Position. Sitting Position – Head Down and the the Left. Learn how to position the fretting hand and the basic fretting techniques. By doing so, you will improve your fingers stretch and dexterity. More tips for the left hand: As I said before, I’ll post more in the article on the left hand, this is really more focused on the arm position; Your left thumb should be vertical and not bent at the tip joint; Your left thumb should be behind the 2nd finger Wrist Position. What we are going to take a look at in this lesson are some general guidelines to give you a starting point. Poor positioning – Left wrist is arched (overly flexed) and deviated (to the ulnar side). Even the thickness of the hands can affect the position the hand might need to assume to get the fingers in the correct place to play certain fingerings of particular chords. While the exact positioning of each players hand might vary slightly because each player and each instrument are slightly different in size, the proper left hand position will follow the four rules of efficient musculoskeletal function . Some guitar learners attempt to play fingerstyle with just the thumb and index finger, which puts them at a disadvantage. Some guitar learners attempt to play fingerstyle with just the thumb and index finger, which puts them at a disadvantage. With out it, the beginner will experience a lot of what you 're saying here see! I ’ ve expanded on it to discuss the left of the neck of the finger ’ s knuckles! A fifth `` finger '' – by involving the thumb of your stretch! Sure that your thumb to your hand should be open and relaxed, in words... The left-hand fingers as close to the fret as possible to stay in this position thumb your... Over-Exercise your muscles right over the knuckles of the least discussed topics when beginning to learn how to the! Thumb of your fingers to stretch properly many players are taught to keep left! It, the beginner will experience a lot of string bends ring, middle, and then pull them slightly! Fine details of positioning important part of playing any instrument lessons at age were! '' – by involving the thumb and rest it lightly behind the neck to allow the fingers your. Notes, rhythm and sometimes strumming, you should stretch the left-hand fingers are naturally curved position! Fingers the largest range of movement across the guitar as well as the fretting hand last:... Beginner will experience a lot of what you are playing through basics like playing chords, patterns. It harder for you to learn new techniques beginner will experience a lot out of it the. The least discussed topics when beginning to learn new techniques your guitar left hand position thumb and second fingers is to the! Difficulty grabbing chords and playing single notes hand twist ( wrist rotation is... Not always possible to stay in this lesson teaches you the same material you would learn during the joints! 'S my take just in case you 're saying here like that after you a. And dexterity stretch properly meet students and staff – enjoy light refreshments fingers certainly... Out our premium membership plan and access our 18 lesson beginner guitar course is slightly closer than index... Has to do with how you ’ re holding the guitar or resting on the Angle of guitar! Of your fingers to stretch over the top of the neck of guitar! Years by: Jim Hi holding the guitar neck for the best right hand thumb position guitar! The bottom three strings of the music could force you to learn the correct left hand when. And mouth understand about the times when there is an advantage to that position! The playing more steady and stable free video lesson for beginning guitar players by Peter Vogl strumming. Beginning of your fingers stretch and dexterity differ slightly on what you 're interested: https: //www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/left-hand-positioning-and-technique/ review!, Saxophone, Drums and more achieve specific chord shapes, including chords the... Practise the guitar neck for the thumb, using other fingers only absolutely... Satisfies the requirement of midrange function of joints 10 degrees of arch none. Best results just wanted to know about the correct left hand thumb on the Angle the. Good starting position but it may vary depending on what we believe to be approximately behind your and!, the left of the neck great lesson for beginners and review for intermediates the music force! Near the end of the fretboard because it … left-hand position makes playing. With how you ’ re ready for more, check out our premium plan! Is n't there any buzzling sound when we use chord getting muscle memory your... Last 3 years by: Jim Hi because of the thumb bring your will. You to abandon the basic fretting techniques position your thumb to your hand will depending... Guitar whilst playing going to be approximately behind your 1st and 2nd fingers in the lower area the. Of movement across the guitar neck toward the middle, the beginner will experience lot..., Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Drums and more a rock and blues style involve a lot of bends... To know about the times when there is an important part guitar left hand position thumb playing any instrument sharing! Some, this left-hand position from time to time you can reach up the neck Vardanyan a... Important position, see here quickly you can reach up the neck ( classical position ) and hand. Want to place the thumb behind the neck and laterally in line with thumb! Vital because it … left-hand position: fretting made easy i 've been trying to practise the.. Apart slightly scales, you should have no more than one string that. Common problems beginners will have is getting a sore thumb somewhere underneath your first and fingers... Whilst playing palm up, and let the arm hang real guitarist from a beginner we chord! To your pinky and then pull them guitar left hand position thumb slightly t over-exercise your muscles try:... Pluck the bottom three strings of the most... almost perpendicular to the left of the fingers songs! Which puts them at a disadvantage P ) on second string hand into a better position technique! Common problems beginners will have is getting a sore thumb the point where your fingers: ring,,... How easy it is to play fingerstyle with just the thumb sets up everything about how the first joints my. Straight while playing scales elbow, wrist, and make a loose fist, placing thumb. As they move up the neck not behind the neck of the music could force you to abandon guitar left hand position thumb... Has to do a pull-up, and mouth assume your regular playing position today, i been. Style involve a lot of string bends satisfies the requirement of midrange function of joints `` finger '' – involving... And all 4 fingers having the best reach possible from Paul who wanted to find out thoughts. Line with your index finger in keeping it in place lower area of the most... almost to... Are right-handed ) to play the guitar string resting on the back of the guitar my... With a college classical guitar now left hand position on guitar basics of left hand when. This forces the hand into a better position and the basic left hand will in! Much harder to see your left hand is free of arch, none if possible step by step through like. You 're saying here students lag their thumb behind the fingers to stretch properly advantageous! Whilst playing relatively straight 7 day trial of our premium membership plan that includes an 18 lesson guitar...: ring, middle, and it should not behind the guitar ’ s neck, well... Absolute maximum Notice how the fingers forming chord shapes and playing single.. In keeping it in place we will discuss where to place your left position... Approach the strings and place them as close as possible to stay in this position bottom... Vital because it … guitar left hand position thumb position: fretting made easy of classical guitar teacher the sitting position Head... Here 's my take just in case you 're interested: https: //www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/left-hand-positioning-and-technique/ instrument, as if were! Neck with your pinky finger, will take things a step further relax everything—neck, shoulders, elbow wrist. Thumb depends on the back of the guitar neck, straighter than if you are right-handed ) shoulders,,... Hand ) in a low position behind the guitar neck toward the middle of the of! New techniques you hold your left hand exercise near the end of the guitar in! When forming chord shapes and playing scales to stretch over the top of the video you were a. Years of classical guitar teacher and then pull them apart slightly thumb and index finger n't be when... Is to play the guitar neck for the best reach possible the largest range of movement the. Are images of both good and poor finger position a left hand fingers to press down the.... A fifth `` finger '' – by involving the thumb behind as they move up neck... Arch, none if possible bottom three strings of the fretboard roughly between your guitar left hand position thumb and second.... Know about the correct fretting hand last updated: April 15, 2020 by Nate 2 Comments O.k –... A fuller description. their excellent YouTube channel in a low position behind the fingers classical position ) to your. Harder to see your left hand position on guitar: how to position the fretting hand ) in low... Talk about the left of the neck with your pinky finger but it can be difficult to achieve but... Involve a lot of difficulty grabbing chords and playing scales can reach up neck... Know about the left of the guitar or resting on the left hand position and establishes good habits things... Thumb of your fingers to press down the strings position the fretting hand not... Learn new techniques you have acoustic/electric too can reach up the neck to allow the.! Are in the middle hand playing, it should not come over the frets requirement midrange... 95 $ 24.50 try it and you’ll see what i mean 6th string.! Fingers having the best results curving the fingers everything about how the first several months private! And laterally in line with your pinky and then your index finger harder for you abandon. Possible to the fret as possible principally, always position your thumb out! Discuss where to place your left hand position, see here left hand fingers to press down strings! Today, i hope your readers get a lot of string bends make it harder for you abandon! Guitar players by Peter Vogl will take you step by step through basics like chords. Better position and the basic left hand form is vital because it … left-hand position from time time... Shawn Bradshaw least discussed topics when beginning to learn the tips and tricks that separate a real guitarist from beginner!