r/classicalguitar • u/Emotional_Goose7835 • 2d ago
General Question Question about left hand position
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u/Due-Ask-7418 2d ago
You should have more bend in the knuckles. Definitely should be bent backwards. Position if your hand should be roughly the same as when holding a tennis ball. An even curvature throughout the joints from the wrist to the last joint of the finger.
The way to achieve a better hand position starts with holding the guitar properly. That starts with sitting properly and that is dependent on having a good height for your seat and foot stool (or guitar support). The way to achieve all of this, is to start with a teacher.
A teacher will help you get a good foundation. Even if you can’t continue to study with a teacher, some classes for the basics is invaluable.
It’s much easier to learn it the right way once than to learn it the wrong way, then unlearn the wrong way, and learn the right way. This applies to the entire process from here until the end. Even for self study, occasional classes can be very helpful (though not as essential as in the very beginning).
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 1d ago
I started with a teacher but they did not place much emphasis on form so I didn’t realize me for was bad. I T eh process of relearning rn
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u/Due-Ask-7418 1d ago
Don’t worry about that. The comment about unlearning bad habits refers to after a long time of doing it that way.
Others have commented good tips here. Implement those and maybe look for some articles on posture. Make improvements and try to get with a teacher sometime to have them assess your technique, posture, etc when you can.
One issue you have is the fretboard angled too much so you can see it. Sit up straighter and lean slightly forward and use your neck (avoid strain) to see it better when needed. Get used to looking more from the top. Think of a laser shooting out of the sound hole. Aim the laser at an imaginary listener sitting about ten feet away.
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u/gmenez97 1d ago
You need a guitar teacher who majored in CG. Many teachers are only familiar with CG, which is no good for CG.
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u/gmenez97 2d ago
You’re bending the string, which means wasted energy going in the wrong direction. Work on scales across the entire neck. IMO it’s better to use the least amount of energy to play than to use extra energy towards getting perfect hand placement.
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u/Ill-Environment7357 2d ago
Try pulling your elbow away from your body. It'll help get your wrist straighter.
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u/TheFudge 2d ago
I would recommend finding a teacher. They will prevent bad habits it’s from forming. This doesn’t look like the correct hand position specifically your thumb.
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 1d ago
I just am not in a situation that would allow that, though I wish I could. Do you have any other advice?
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u/HarmonicRebel 1d ago
Always keep your thumb between your first and second finger, so that they create a "circle". The thumb should in most cases go along with them. Also try to correct the position of the fingers so that they are almost at a 90 degree angle (just keep them curled). Hope this helps!
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u/gryphong 1d ago
There are some excellent teachers available one to one on zoom. It really makes a big difference.
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u/dougl1000 2d ago
There’s no reason to bend your wrist to the side. Lift the neck to a 45 degree angle instead.
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 1d ago
Currently my guitar is oriented parallel to my chest so I need the bend since my hand is going forward and up. Should I rotate the guitar so the head is inline with my shoulders?
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u/dougl1000 1d ago
Yes. Or even higher if necessary.
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 1d ago
I meant if you drew a straight line through my shoulders extending left, should it intersect with my guitar neck/head?
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u/dougl1000 1d ago
I recently reoriented to a more classical position. Having the neck parallel to the ground contorts the wrists. So if my right hand is roughly at my belly button, and the neck is at about a 45 degree angle, then the headstock is a bit below eye level. I’m trying to keep my hands in line with my forearms. No bending of the wrist side to side - a natural position with no strain on the tendons. If you want more of a stretch with the fingers, practice from that neutral position. The classical guitarist raises the left foot on a stand with the guitar propped up on the left thigh. I find this uncomfortable and use a strap.
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 2d ago
Basically, I want to know is this right? This is me trying to make my finders perpendicular to the strings, but this introduces a very large and unnatural bend in my wrist. Is there a way to make this more comfortable? Also, I find myself constantly trying to lean my fingers towards the head because it feels more natural. Please advise.
Additionally, my left hand always gets tired very quickly. Are there any methods through form to make it less tiring? What about studies to increase stamina?
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u/gmenez97 2d ago
If your hands get tired you’re probably trying to play pieces that are too difficult. Mix in some easier pieces into your practice routine.
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u/MedinaGuitarMechanix 1d ago
In short, no. This isn’t right. The better question would be “is this functional?” And the answer would be that it’s very limiting
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u/dougl1000 2d ago
Also, the fretboard should be facing out, not up. If you need to look at the fretboard, use a mirror or computer screen.
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 1d ago
It looks slanted because I wanted to emphasize the wrist. I usually do keep it facing iut
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u/ImaginaryOnion7593 2d ago
First,put on a saddle with less action 3.5 mm and put on the Daddario EJ43 low tension soft strings. Then practice the left and right hand with ease.
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u/MedinaGuitarMechanix 1d ago
Hot take here: the alignment of the fingers on the string/fret is completely secondary to the level of flexion/extension of the wrist.
Any deviation from its natural, more comfortable position in line with the arm, will create extra unnecessary tension that limits your fingers’ mobility. You can try this by bending the wrist and opening/closing your fingers at different rates. Hence you want to keep the wrist in a poised position.
In reality, when playing music on the guitar, there will be times that you WILL need to compromise on the ergonomic position of the mechanism, but it’s impossible to even find that if you don’t develop a foundational understanding of what’s comfortable for the hand.
In the worst case scenarios, by practicing for prolonged periods of time in a compromised position, will cause damage and lead to various degrees of injuries.
It’s a heavy ready but I recommend checking out Ricardo Iznaola’s Zuma Kitharologica, where he talks extensively (perhaps a bit too much) about the anatomical relationship to the guitar.
Best of lucks!
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u/Ok-Introduction8441 1d ago
Imagine the neck is made of glass. Keep the thumb and 2nd finger in the same general place. If you want to prove this, grab a water bottle - that’s exactly where your natural hand position is.
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u/JoachimGeissler 8h ago
Quite some issues, that often occur.
Put the thumb closer to the fibgers in opposition of the second finger.
This should allow the hand to "rotate" slightly clockwise.
This should consequently allow the 4th finger (pinky) to be place perfectly perpendicular to string and fretboard (the last joint this is( and all the others slightly tilt to the left.
The first finger Ind this way play not with the extreme point of the fingertip, but with it's summit half near the thumb.
At the end your wrist should be able not to be flexed, but in line with the arm.
All this anyway starts with a good position on the chair and with the guitar angled in a consonant way to allow the arm-wrist-hand-finger positioning...
It's all connected, obviously, but the clou is the last joint of the 4th finger...
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u/seeafillem6277 2d ago
I feel like you're extending your wrist away from the neck way too far. But I'm not formally trained so I'm just guessing.
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u/Emotional_Goose7835 1d ago
Thing is if I don’t jut out wrist that much the fingers won’t be perpendicular to the strings. Idk tho
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u/Ok_Signature_5550 2d ago
I can feel the tension in your LH from here. You are correct that continuing to play this way will limit your improvement.
The thing that jumps out to me is the thumb. It’s not in line with your position on the neck.