Here are the basics of the left (fretting) hand position on the guitar:
Proper left hand technique can make or break you. Have you ever felt like you’re hand just can’t physically make chord shapes? They just seem physically impossible and very awkward! Most of this has to do with how you’re holding the guitar and your fretting hand position. It is extremely important to learn the correct fretting hand position for playing the guitar. With out it, the beginner will experience a lot of difficulty grabbing chords and playing scales.
Thumb
– Pad of thumb on the back of the neck
– Pointing upward
– In the middle of the neck
-Not bent at the 1st joint
Fingers
– Close to the fret wires but never on them.
– Press string down to the fret with your finger tips
– Fingers should curve around and be bent at both joints
Oppose
– Fingers and thumb should be directly opposing each other
Space
– Leave a space between your palm and the neck. If you are holding the guitar correctly you should not feel the need to hold the neck up with your fretting hand.
*Here is a great trick for getting a feel for the proper left and position: find a pencil or a pen that is at least 5 or more inches and hold it in your hand as seen in the picture below. There is only one way to do it and it is exactly the proper hand position for playing the guitar!
These are the basics of a good fretting hand position and will help get you on the right path. As you get better there will be reasons to break some of theses rules but in the beginning stick to this. As you learn more you will realize that music is full of rules that eventually get broken or modified. If you break rules before mastery it is just chaos. If you break them after mastery it is a modification.
Be patient and watch that hand position! Sometimes your hand might want to do funny things. When it does, just go adjust back and review the proper position. It will eventually start to feel comfortable! Good Luck!
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