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
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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.
Glad it was helpful!
What an AWESOME lesson !!! So helpful – another topic to be reviewed in my daily practice – small changes with HUGE, positive result
Vielen Dank für diese gute Erinnerung an die Gitarren-Position, vor lauter Üben denkt man nicht mehr daran, wie wichtig sie ist!
Danke!
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!
Glad it has been helpful! Thanks for sharing!
What an important topic explained in detail. As a beginner, this will help me tremendously! Thank you!
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!