Page 22 - Guitar Tuition for Students and Tutors level 1

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How to hold the guitar and have good posture

Continued…

Right hand position (strumming hand)

Rest your upper right arm on the upper part of the guitar body, your right hand floating
comfortably above the sound hole and relax your arm, wrist and hand.

Strumming technique
There are several strumming techniques for guitar

playing. Here is one that is commonly used: Place your
thumb against your index finger and hold them like
that. This gives you a decent support. Bend your
middle, ring and pinky (little finger) slightly towards
the palm of your hand. Whatever feels natural to you.

Now down strum with the nail of your index finger
against all the strings and then up strum with the nail
of your thumb. You can also play with your index
finger and thumb separately which gives you a more
tender sound. You can also grow your fingernails a bit
to give you a more of a definitive clear sound, like

using a pick.

Using a pick

Hold the pick between your thumb and index finger. Place
the pick on the top side of your index finger and clamp

your thumb down on top of it. Hold the pick firmly.

Fingerpicking position

Rest your forearm on the top front edge of the lower
bout to stabilize your hand. Hold your hand above the
sound hole, make sure your hand and arm is aligned and
bend your knuckles slightly.

The most common used approach is playing the bass strings (4th, 5th and 6th string) with the

thumb, 3rd string with the index finger, 2nd string with the middle finger and the 1st string
with the ring finger. Other variations are also used. Use the tip of your fingers to play the
strings.