Introduction To Guitar Positioning and Tuning

You are now about to learn about how to position a guitar and tune it in this simple guitar lesson.

Let us first start with guitar positioning.  Start by sitting on an armless chair that will provide support for your back.  Your back should be resting comfortably against the back of the chair.  Slouching is not good because you will develop bad guitar habits and a sore back.  When sitting in an armless chair, be sure that there is a lot of room on both sides of you so you can hold your guitar properly and move your arms.

Once you are seated in the chair, you should place the guitar on your lap and have the rear of the guitar facing your chest.  The guitar body should be on the leg that is farthest from the headstock.  If you are right handed, the guitar body should rest on your right leg.  Most guitars will have a curved indentation on the body that will fit right on your leg when you play.  If you are holding the guitar properly then the sixth string should be close to your chest and the first string should be close to your feet.    

Your fret hand will be your left hand if you are right handed, and if you are left handed, then it will be your right hand.  You should grip the neck of the guitar gently with your fretting hand.  You thumb should be placed behind the guitar’s neck.  The other fingers should be floating on top of the strings, slightly curled.  Bend your fingers naturally when pressing the strings unless the instructor tells you otherwise. 

Next we are going to discuss guitar picking techniques.  When beginning to play the guitar, you should purchase a set of guitar picks.  A guitar pick is a small flat tool that you use to strum the guitar.  You should purchase a minimum of ten guitar picks and they are relatively cheap.  Best try to start with the pick that is not too stiff or too thin.  Picks are made of various materials, including, rubber, plastic, wood, metal, tortoiseshell, and stone.  They are usually in the shape of a triangle but other shapes are available from manufacturers.

Now that you are seated properly and are holding the right pick, we proceed with the lesson on strumming the guitar.

The hand holding the pick will be nearest the bridge of the guitar.  You should open up the hand you will be picking or “strumming” the guitar with. The palm should be facing you.  Then make sure the thumb is next to the index finger. Twist your wrist a little to point the knuckle of the thumb towards you.  Carefully slide the guitar pick between your index finger and thumb, using your other hand.  That way, the pick is secure. It should end just right behind your thumb's knuckle.

You should hold the pick firmly and the pointed portion of the pick should be pointing away from your fist and should be sticking out about ½ inch.  The hand you are strumming with should be over the sound hole if you are using an acoustic guitar or over the guitar body if you are using an electric guitar.  Your strumming hand should be placed above the strings.

Your picking hand should not sit on the body or stings of the guitar.  With the use of your wrist, not your arm, pick the lowest string only and strum it downward.  If the string rattles too much, do not use a lot of the pick surface or strum softer.  Then pick the lowest string upwards.

Repeat this a few times.  With the minimum of movements, do short pick upwards and downwards. Now try repeating this process with the rest of the strings.

Holding the pick always feels awkward at first.  At the beginning, you also will have to spend more time practicing your picking or strumming.  Your downstrokes and your upstrokes should sound the same.  Also remember you will sound bad at first but this will change with practice.  It takes time to become the next guitar hero!