6 Common Technique Problems Solved with a Better Guitar Position

6 Common Technique Problems Solved with a Better Classical Guitar Position. In this lesson I cover six technique topics that are helped by a better guitar position including: 1. Wrist and Posture Ergonomics. 2. Horizontal Stretch or Reach. 3. Vertical Stretch. 4. Barre Chords (using gravity). 5. String Clearance. 6. Perceived Scale Length (guitar size). Here’s the YouTube Link if you want to watch it there.

The main takeaway from this lesson is that finding your guitar position is a life-long study that requires constant refinement and adjustments as you progress and as you age. A series of small adjustments can really affect your technique on the instrument and make a huge difference. After all, many errors on the guitar are caused by small movements that require millimetre changes, therefore, small adjustments to your guitar position, not just your hands, can be the difference between success and hardship. Hope this helps, happy practicing.

Video Times and Topics

  • 00:00 Intro
  • 3:03 Wrist and Posture Ergonomics
  • 5:24 Horizontal Stretch or Reach
  • 6:56 Vertical Stretch
  • 8:31 Barre Chords (using gravity)
  • 10:17 String Clearance
  • 13:56 Perceived Scale Length (guitar size)
  • 17:20 Tiny Adjustments Make Huge Changes
  • 18:42 Conclusion

My Full Lesson on Guitar Position

My Technique Book with Routines and Lots of Exercises

Join for Free

Join the free membership newsletter – It’s free and this is how you’ll receive inspirational classical guitar videos, pro performances, lessons, sheet music, and more. It’s a way to stay connected to classical guitar and get a weekly dose of quality classical guitar culture.

Bradford Werner
Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and music publisher from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, musical ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 97,000 subscribers and 14 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory of Music for 16 years and freelanced in Greater Victoria for 20 years and now dedicates much of his time curating content online and helping connect the classical guitar community. See more at his personal website.

9 Comments

Ask a Question or Leave a Positive Comment

  1. Fantastic video. Noticed issues in my playing with nearly everything mentioned. Foot stool too low and out too far to the left, guitar too low, both hands tense from curving too much (especially right hand à la Segovia). Back of left shoulder always felt tense within minutes of starting to play. Choked notes/open strings with the back of the left hand fingers while playing. Noticed issues with pinky reaching bass strings without choking other strings. Unnecessary amount of tension using vice grip for barre. Made the adjustments recommended in this video and immediately noticed a huge difference in comfort level. Guitar feels smaller, easier to play on fingertips, less overall fatigue. Thanks, Brad.

  2. What an AWESOME lesson !!! So helpful – another topic to be reviewed in my daily practice – small changes with HUGE, positive result

  3. Vielen Dank für diese gute Erinnerung an die Gitarren-Position, vor lauter Üben denkt man nicht mehr daran, wie wichtig sie ist!

  4. Thank you Brad,
    Very informative and helpful advice.
    I have become a big fan of your Website since I purchased a Cordoba C9 parlor recommended recently by you.
    I love it, so thanks for your help and advice!

  5. Very helpful, thank you so much! Really needed this lesson as i have developed some hand problems recently. Especially laughed at 12.01 “suddenly my wrist looks all freaky…..” Will try to avoid those freaky postures in my playing!