PLAYING TECHNIQUES, NOTE READING, and TABLATURE

HOLDING THE GUITAR

The general aim of seating and holding the guitar is to establish a stable and relaxed position to serve as a foundation to support the guitar and maintain a free and relaxed posture to provide the best movement for the arms and hands.

This can be achieved by sitting up straight and on the edge of the chair.While keeping the back straight, aligning the back muscles with the spine the shoulders maintain a a relaxed and level position. Good posture is the objective while avoiding any slouching, leaning against the back of the chair, hunching or twisting of the body. To bring the guitar up to a comfortable playing position, adjust a footstool, "A" frame, or guitar cusion, to elevate the guitar to about seven inches in height above the left thigh, from the floor, on or beneath your left leg. Adjust the level or height of the guitar so that the instrument is pointing in an upward direction so the head tip of the head stock is at about eye level. The general aim of positioning the guitar is to hold the guitar in the most effective, comfortable and secure playing position, giving each hand best access to the strings, full range of the fingerboard, and visual access to all the frets.Hold the guitar by making contact with: 1) The left leg, (supported by an "A" frame or footstool) 2) The right inner thigh, 3) The chest, 4) The right arm over the edge of the lower bout.

THE RIGHT HAND

The right hand should be positioned in such a way that the fingers, when relaxed, curl around to a half circle or hook positon. As the fingers form a gentle curl the wrist is kept straight or only slightly bent when the thumb plays. The thumb of the right hand points to the left of the fingers so it doesn't bump into them or get tangled up when the fingers follow through toward the palm.  The thumb remains close to the fingers to work both independently and together as a relaxed, compact unit.