Level 001 – How To Hold A Guitar, Guitar String Names,

And Perform Tuning

Before we can do anything we have to learn how to hold a guitar properly, the guitar
string names, and proper tuning of the guitar strings. Proper holding of the guitar allows
allows for ease of movement and protection from injury. Knowing the string names is
important to knowing what strings to strum and pluck as well finger placement on those
strings. And finally, proper tuning is required for proper reproduction of how the notes
should sound when played.

How To Hold A Guitar – Standard Right Leg Position

1) Sit up straight.

2) Hold the guitar against the body where the right leg meets the hip. Using a footstool
or prop can help elevate the right knee higher than the hip. This keeps the guitar from
sliding down your leg. Wearing a strap helps this too. The strings should face the
audience, not you. I know beginners want to see the strings but tilting the guitar towards
your head is bad for the left hand.

3) The neck of the guitar should elevate at a slight angle and the head stock should face
the area of the left knee.

4) For electric guitars, place your right forearm (not bicep) over the edge of the guitar
and the right palm on top of the bridge at a 40-50 degree angle. We will use the bridge as
an anchor and pivot point for alternate picking.

5) For acoustic guitars, place your right forearm (not bicep) over the edge of the guitar
with half of your right hand over the sound hole and the other half over the wood at a
40-50 degree angle . Your right hand should float about a quarter inch or less above the
strings.

How To Hold A Guitar – Classical Style

1) Sit near the edge of the seat with good posture.

2) Adjust the footstool so that your left knee is higher than your hip.

3) Place the side of the guitar on your left leg with the back of it against your body. The
headstock should be near eye level causing the neck to tilt at a 40-50 degree angle.

4) Place right forearm (not bicep) over the edge of the guitar with half of your right hand
over the sound hole and the other half over the wood at a 40-50 degree angle . Your
hand should float about a half inch or less over the strings. Electric guitar players have
the option of placing right hand on the bridge.
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5) When using a strap adjust it to make sure the guitar is in the general position
discussed under standard right leg position.

Digital Tuning
I recommend that you use an electronic clip on tuner at first to tune your guitar. I will
cover manual tuning later on as we become more familiar with the guitar.

For now just follow the instructions provided. Do a search on Youtube for the particular
tuner you have. There may be an instructional video for your tuner available. This video
works for the Intellitouch PT 10 tuner. Most tuners work in the same way as you will see
in my video.

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