BC-106 • Body Posture and Finger Placement

[justinguitar]

Lesson Link: http://justinguitar.com/en/BC-106-PostureFingerPlacement.php

Questions...

[tanda]

Hi everyone, I have just seen this lesson, and I can see now, what I'm doing wrong, tilting the guitar, but, I have just started to learn the guitar, but my problem is, I am over weight, so I have a bit of a stomach on me, so where most people rest the guitar against their body, and look at the fret board, and place their fingers, I find, I cant see the fret board, so I have to tilt the bottom of the guitar up, so I can see where my fingers are going, this means, I have to bend my hand round more to reach the fret board, which is quite a strain on my wrist. Anyone got any tips for us large players,(Apart from loosing weight, which I am trying to do). Thanks.

[redsea]

You can practice in front of a mirror.  You will be able to hold the guitar properly and see both your hands without strain.

[Moonlander]

Hello!
I've played for about two years now. I just watched this lesson and I noticed somethig kind of funny about my posture.
I play electric, but when I sit I put the guitar on the "wrong" leg, the classical leg.
It all started when I was trying to play standing up sometime in the past and I noticed that the I get the guitar much closer to were it is when I stand if I put it on the my left leg when i sit. (I play with the guitar pretty low when standing...)
If you can't get what I mean, try to stand up, with the guitar hanging around your neck, and then sit down! Which leg does it land on?

I'm not trying to encourage playing with the guitar on the "classical leg" or anything, but it has really improved my playing when I stand.
It just feels more natural to me to put the guitar on my left leg.

[bhaz]

Thanks for this lesson; Found that every so often I rest some of the weight of the neck on my fretting hand, so I'm slowly working my way out of that habit.

Question: Is it normal to raise your right leg a little when sitting in a chair with an electric guitar (Strat) using the rock position? I find that the neck pivots around alot if I don't.

[Ognagol]

Hello!
I've played for about two years now. I just watched this lesson and I noticed somethig kind of funny about my posture.
I play electric, but when I sit I put the guitar on the "wrong" leg, the classical leg.
It all started when I was trying to play standing up sometime in the past and I noticed that the I get the guitar much closer to were it is when I stand if I put it on the my left leg when i sit. (I play with the guitar pretty low when standing...)
If you can't get what I mean, try to stand up, with the guitar hanging around your neck, and then sit down! Which leg does it land on?

I'm not trying to encourage playing with the guitar on the "classical leg" or anything, but it has really improved my playing when I stand.
It just feels more natural to me to put the guitar on my left leg.

One other thing to consider here is what "style" you are doing.  For example, if I'm doing a lot of bending and blues, I find resting the guitar on my right leg gives me better access and a better angle.  However, if I'm using a slide (and usually using it sloppily :-( ) the left leg is a lot easier.

All that being said, it probably comes down to what you are most comfartable doing.

[tintin]

Yo, Justin!

Thanks for everything!

I've been playing pretty regularly for almost 2 years now. I try to play at least 2 hours/day weekdays, and at least 10 on weekends or days off.   Lately I've begun to develop elbow soreness (Guitar Elbow?).  Any ideas on how best to deal with it (other than stop playing?)

Thanks!

[justinguitar]

Hi everyone, I have just seen this lesson, and I can see now, what I'm doing wrong, tilting the guitar, but, I have just started to learn the guitar, but my problem is, I am over weight, so I have a bit of a stomach on me, so where most people rest the guitar against their body, and look at the fret board, and place their fingers, I find, I cant see the fret board, so I have to tilt the bottom of the guitar up, so I can see where my fingers are going, this means, I have to bend my hand round more to reach the fret board, which is quite a strain on my wrist. Anyone got any tips for us large players,(Apart from loosing weight, which I am trying to do). Thanks.

I have taught a few larger gents, and one had this problem. He solved it by learning not to look - it will make your wrist sore if you bend your wrist too much. So try and feel it rather than looking. The mirror sounds a good idea. If you find a solution, let us know so it helps others too. J

[hands-on]

@ tintin:
Hi, below is a link for some exercises that I posted a while back. The squeezy-ball exercise & stretching the forearm muscles (the one with the arm extended in front of body) should be very helpful in relieving general elbow tendonitis & strain. If pain continues, you should have it checked out though. Good luck! 

http://www.justinguitar.com/forum/index.php?topic=15309.0

[Kane]

Hi everyone, I have just seen this lesson, and I can see now, what I'm doing wrong, tilting the guitar, but, I have just started to learn the guitar, but my problem is, I am over weight, so I have a bit of a stomach on me, so where most people rest the guitar against their body, and look at the fret board, and place their fingers, I find, I cant see the fret board, so I have to tilt the bottom of the guitar up, so I can see where my fingers are going, this means, I have to bend my hand round more to reach the fret board, which is quite a strain on my wrist. Anyone got any tips for us large players,(Apart from loosing weight, which I am trying to do). Thanks.

I have taught a few larger gents, and one had this problem. He solved it by learning not to look - it will make your wrist sore if you bend your wrist too much. So try and feel it rather than looking. The mirror sounds a good idea. If you find a solution, let us know so it helps others too. J

As a "larger gentleman" (you've heard the question "Who ate all the pies?" well it was me ) I've found the tilting tendency is fading as I increase the use of timers in my practice, being forced to actually practice basic chords for five minutes instead of what felt like five minutes is improving my muscle memory both in fretting finger position and strumming position (I'm having to look at the pick less when trying to strum specific strings) - cause it all falls to bits when I try to speed up but that just means more practice

[Jax]

Hi guitarheads!  I know that in this video, Justin said "the fret hand does not support the neck," but I'm wondering where an experienced guitar player tends to position his thumb on the back of the neck?  A friend of mine who's a really good guitar player uses his thumb to anchor the chords he's playing, but I find that when I do this, my thumb shifts position a lot depending on what the rest of my fingers need to do on the frets.  Generally, it causes a little strain on my thumb because it's continually pushing on the back of the neck.  When I try to play without using my thumb at all, I can't do nearly as much!

It would be very helpful to see a picture or video of Justin's fret hand from the back of the guitar at the neck.  Video might be better because then we could see what his thumb and hand does when moving around the neck, changing chords and doing scales or solos.  I don't see how he's playing without pushing his thumb into the neck as an anchor.  If there's a better way, I'd like to try and copy it!

There might not be much demand for an answer to this particular question, so if no video or pic gets made, I understand but I'll always be wondering! 

[Jax]

Anyone?  I just want to know what the thumb is doing while scales or chords are being played.  A pic or video would tell the story.  Thanks!

Hi guitarheads!  I know that in this video, Justin said "the fret hand does not support the neck," but I'm wondering where an experienced guitar player tends to position his thumb on the back of the neck?  A friend of mine who's a really good guitar player uses his thumb to anchor the chords he's playing, but I find that when I do this, my thumb shifts position a lot depending on what the rest of my fingers need to do on the frets.  Generally, it causes a little strain on my thumb because it's continually pushing on the back of the neck.  When I try to play without using my thumb at all, I can't do nearly as much!

It would be very helpful to see a picture or video of Justin's fret hand from the back of the guitar at the neck.  Video might be better because then we could see what his thumb and hand does when moving around the neck, changing chords and doing scales or solos.  I don't see how he's playing without pushing his thumb into the neck as an anchor.  If there's a better way, I'd like to try and copy it!

There might not be much demand for an answer to this particular question, so if no video or pic gets made, I understand but I'll always be wondering! 

[BahaDave]

Hi,

Two posture questions that have REALLY been puzzling me for a while :

1- Right hand (yep, the picking hand), everyone fusses (with reason) about the frethand but I noticed players using two very different positions for their right hands :
 - 'free hand', where the forearm only touches the guitar a bit (where the body is tapered on s Strat).
 - 'anchored hand', where the forearm and wrist appear glued to the body with just the hand moving.

I tried both and the first one feels much easier to me (comfy & better reach) BUT the second one allows for MUCH faster and more precise picking.

I foundusing the anchored hand much harder (just doesn't feel comfortable, not sure where exactly to place the forearm/wrist. whether to move or not to reach the high E, B etc..).

Any words of wisdom ? Is it something that should be learnt only by more experienced intermediate or should i try to master both positions early on ?

2- Left hand grip. Thumb behind fretboard or above it ? Apparently the former is required for certain chords and seems to be considered 'good practice' and the latter seems unavoidable for bends etc... Do ypu really use both while playing a given piece and if so, how to manage the transition ?

Thanks a bunch!

[Jecc]

Is it ok if I have my guitar slightly tilted a few degrees, from the bottom-front of the guitar to my thigh is about a cm gap. I just find that it helps keep the position of my guitar sturdier, otherwise it loses a lot of support and the neck is moving about while im playing.

[Stevie]

This is the question ive been trying to get answered for ages but very difficult!! I think because everyone has different body shapes so naturally the right hand will want to rest in different positions.  I think it would be wise to learn both hand positions for different techniques to make it much easier when you get to intermediate level.  Obviously if you change the guitar height it will affect your hand placement as well, so experiment with that to get as comfortable as possible.  I dont like my strat too low (no good for scale runs) or too high, (uncomfortable and dorky!!, lol, joking).  

Then you get someone like Marty Friedman who bends his hand completely round and doesnt touch the body or strings at all.  I still marvel everytime I see his style - one of a kind.  So anyway, just do whats comfortable, as long as its not a bad habit I dont think you will have much trouble.  You can always jam, go to a teacher or even post on youtube to get some advice as well.

Hi,

Two posture questions that have REALLY been puzzling me for a while :

1- Right hand (yep, the picking hand), everyone fusses (with reason) about the frethand but I noticed players using two very different positions for their right hands :
 - 'free hand', where the forearm only touches the guitar a bit (where the body is tapered on s Strat).
 - 'anchored hand', where the forearm and wrist appear glued to the body with just the hand moving.

I tried both and the first one feels much easier to me (comfy & better reach) BUT the second one allows for MUCH faster and more precise picking.

I foundusing the anchored hand much harder (just doesn't feel comfortable, not sure where exactly to place the forearm/wrist. whether to move or not to reach the high E, B etc..).

Any words of wisdom ? Is it something that should be learnt only by more experienced intermediate or should i try to master both positions early on ?