How to hold a Guitar

Generally how to hold a guitar is very simple. You hold an Acoustic Guitar and an Electric Guitar in a very similar way, although acoustic guitar bodies are thicker. Don’t worry about trying to stand up with the guitar yet, I’ll explain that later.

The guitar should sit in your lap, with the dip/contour of the guitar body resting on your leg. If you are right handed then this should be your right leg. Vice-versa for left handed players.

This is how to hold a guitar (Electric - steel strung) – this is me and not a library pic!

And this is how I hold an acoustic guitar (classical nylon strung)

Oh, I forgot to say I’m right handed.

As you can see there isn’t really a difference, apart from the classical guitar having a shorter neck and a wider body.

Very technical players might tell you that my thumb shouldn’t be sticking over the top of the neck, but I find that more comfortable. When it comes to bending strings and muting bass notes I find it is quicker to have my thumb sticking out a bit rather than well behind the neck.

If you are going for just classical guitar playing then it would definitely be an idea to keep your thumb behind the neck. For now though, you choose which is most comfortable.

A note about which hand to use when playing –

Most right handed guitarists use their right hand to strum and left hand for fretting the strings. Again, vice-versa for left handed players. Occasionally there are some players that are right handed and play the opposite way. When you first put the guitar in your lap and put your hand on the strings, work out what is most comfortable for you. There is no ‘correct’ hand to use – it’s entirely up to you. Just be aware that left handed guitars are a little bit rarer than right handed guitars.

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