Great for beginners to intermediate players. Lesson: Left Hand Position and Technique for Classical Guitar - … When we grip the left thumb, it adds excess tension to the palm and fingers. Use the correct hand position for a given passage. Hand position. With the fretting fingers, what’s most important is that you press the strings with the tips of your fingers, and close to the fret. Hello Bradford There are many exercises that can be used to develop right and left hand technique on the classical guitar. Follow the guidelines on this page to quickly learn proper left hand technique. Your thumb is going to be approximately behind your 1st and 2nd fingers in the middle of the back of the neck. Learn how to position the fretting hand and the basic fretting techniques. This position is what most guitar teachers learn. For this we use the fingertip. All your knuckles should be bent. Now that I’ve gotten used to doing it that way, it seems more relaxed, natural and consistent with keeping the other LH fingers curved. Visit ClassicalGuitar.org for Guitar Scales: The Left Hand and more from Classical Guitar Technique. This maintains the natural “C” shape position. The middle and ring finger follow this positioning. Lesson of the Week – Left hand thumb position This is a Q&A via email Youtube Video Link (4k Quality) A discussion and lesson about the left hand thumb position for classical guitar. Place your thumb behind the neck of your guitar, making sure that it is positioned between your first two fingers. Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Patreon. This is called “shifting.”. The basics of left hand position on the guitar by Shawn Bradshaw. Thank you!! You'll find loads of tutorials and resources. Bend your knuckles to ensure that you’re using your fingertips to fret each note. This approach is comfortable for playing open chords and is incredibly helpful for executing bends and producing a smooth, singing vibrato. for the classical guitar left hand technique. Thanks This allows the fingers to stretch away from each other more easily. Q&A Lesson: Left Hand Thumb Position for Classical Guitar - … If we press too far back from the fret, it demands more pressure and is likely to buzz. 3. The picking hand’s thumb is at approximately a 45º angle. The point where … A discussion and lesson about the left hand thumb position for classical guitar. I'm a professional classical guitarist. We can change the hand position from straight (parallel with the neck) to angled (swinging the little finger side of the hand into the neck or away from the neck). Classical guitarists play their instruments quite differently from that of any other guitar style. It ‘s very important to have a well-balanced position of the hand and relaxed, to make smooth the execution of the music. Easy Doctrine. However the thumb should form a 90 degree position with the neck, not dragging behind, or in a parallel position with the strings. As a rule, the left thumb stays on the back of the guitar neck, positioned behind the fingers. But try to do that on a classical guitar, and your hand and fingers will be so constrained by the heft of the neck that it will slow you down tremendously. The thumb should stay extended and long, not bent. KUDOS to you, Allen Mathews. Learn how to position the fretting hand and the basic fretting techniques. The reason I ask is that I used to extend the joint like that but then started having some issues with trigger thumb. So it should stay behind the fingers. It can go all the way to either edge. Learn to read music and identify notes on the entire neck. Get in a good sitting position, and you’ll make playing easier. Sometimes an angled hand positions makes things easier. This is a question from Paul who wanted to know about the left hand thumb position while playing scales. Ideally, we keep freedom and ease in all joints, including the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. 1 (Descending Lines). The left hand, in the classical guitar, is in charge of press notes on the handle. Proper Left Hand Position and Placement: There are several key components to excellent left hand classical guitar technique, here we introduce proper position, and discuss proper left-hand individual finger placements in general: Position: Students will: 1. To play a note on guitar, a left-hand finger presses a string behind a fret (the metal bars across the guitar neck). 5. Take your left thumb and rest it lightly behind the guitar neck. 60 No. This places the hand in a more sideways position, like in a handshake. My music sounded forced. I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. How should we position and move our left hand when playing guitar? 3. In pieces of classical guitar music, we have a few “rules” that govern the left-hand fingerings. We turn the hand towards the right. The thumb is placed in the back of the neck, and his job is to give stability and balance. Whenever possible, a … The main rule concerns situations with more than one finger playing on the same fret. This is a question from Paul who wanted to know about the left hand thumb position while playing scales. Left hand thumb is vertical and behind 2nd finger; Left hand fingers are curved and on fingertips; Left hand fingers play very close to the fret One of the best loved of all classical pieces. This makes a “position” on the guitar a 4-fret span, with one finger over each fret. This is because the fingerboard is wider and the neck often has a deeper profile. The large base knuckles of the finger are positioned on the side of the fretboard opposite the player. The thumb is placed in the middle on the back of the guitar neck. Ideally, the big knuckle of the index and little fingers are a similar distance from the bottom edge of the guitar neck. Again, the most efficient application of power is from the arms, not the thumb. Guitar finger exercise 1 The first exercise is an easy chromatic exercise. what kind of guitar support are you using? The little finger is lowest in space. Find more video lessons here, or check out pages for free sheet music or gear reviews. Left-hand position: Fretting made easy. Great Work!!! Detailed explorations of this popular technical tool. I changed to it many years ago so that I could comfortably reach the three notes per string type … David. In general, the thumb is relaxed and not bent at the tip segment. We offer … The left thumb, staying behind the fingers, is free to move across the back of the neck. Extend your left hand, palm up, and make a loose fist, placing your thumb roughly between your first and second fingers. Hi David, are you using “classical” position (guitar on the left leg if you are right-handed)? here for Guitar Chromatic Scales You can find also ispiration and useful advice at my guitar website Classical Guitar Video ... at V position with index ( 1 ) at five fret play it and then medium left hand finger at six , anular (finger number 3 ) at seven and little finger number 4 at the 8 fret… but don't remove finger until you are done with the first string and so on tll 6th string Again, the most efficient application of power is from the arms, not the thumb. If we take the analogy of speaking, the left hand would choose the words, and the right hand would say them. Download the accompanying exercise to play along: CGC Left Hand Accuracy Exercise David 23 Aug 2019 Reply. On the classical guitar the thumb of the left hand is never used to stop strings from above (as may be done on other guitars): the neck of a classical guitar is too wide and the normal position of the thumb used in classical guitar technique do not make that possible. In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. ... add a comment | 2. Sharp nerve twinges/pain up the fret hand thumb during Dorian fingerings also through playing runs and rhythm around and on the low E and A strings. The left hand twist (wrist rotation) is set so that the pinky side is slightly closer than the index side. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully. Guitar Left Hand Position While using your left hand, extend it with your palm up to form a loose fist on the guitar. Below are images of both good and poor finger position. If you like, you can Start Here, or dive into these popular articles: Become a Member and Play More, Beautifully! Left Hand Technique for Classical Guitar. Here are other tips for left hand stretch. You'll find loads of tutorials and resources. Because of the demands of left hand playing, it is not always possible to stay in this position. Please take your time to browse and study. 4. By Mark Phillips, Jon Chappell . Instead it should be slightly to the left of the fingers. 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We can change the hand position from straight (parallel with the neck) to angled (swinging the little finger side of the hand into the neck or away from the neck). The left hand thumb should be open and relaxed. 20 years of classical guitar now left hand thumb pain the last 3 years by: Jim Hi. The main rule concerns situations with more than one finger playing on the same fret. Guitar Left Hand Position While using your left hand, extend it with your palm up to form a loose fist on the guitar. Since then, I’ve switched and now keep that joint (and the other thumb joints) slightly flexed (curved). We teach a variety of instruments and styles, including classical and jazz guitar, piano, drums, and music theory. We just do our best and make it work. I am 64 and only started playing 2 years ago. Sit up tall. Other than this, the fingers each align over 4 consecutive frets. Copyright © 2020 Bradford Werner, thisisclassicalguitar.com & wernerguitareditions.com. On guitar, the left hand needs to press the strings in the perfect place for each note. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two stellar teachers – one focused on the technical, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). Are there best practices and ways to avoid injury? By following your training videos in the program, I'm gradually developing my fingerstyle playing ability. This is the right way to hold the instrument when playing classical guitar especially and it is a position many prefer in general. This means that we can further flex or extend each finger at will. Place left foot on the footstool. ... E-A-D-G-B-E; the 12th fret is placed where the body begins) or even higher up to position XIX (the classical guitar most often having 19 frets, with the … Once again, we’re back to easy. Click the button to take a step towards an organized, effective guitar practice. Once we have the “C” left-hand position, we can move this position up and down the guitar neck. Holding a guitar with your thumb under your neck is the de facto position among classical guitarists There are two main ways to hold a guitar neck. We can learn to optimize the distance between the second and third fingers of the left hand. Hi Alan. I disagree. Please take your time to browse and study. Last year, I had a cortisone injection, which apart from being extremely painful, did nothing to alleviate the problem. This means that we can further flex or extend each finger at will. So using the fingertip, we press each string just behind the fret. It should not come over the top of the guitar’s neck, and it should not behind the fingers. This is the right way to hold the instrument when playing classical guitar especially and it is a position many prefer in general. 5. This is one of the “basics of classical guitar.” Ideally, the big knuckle of the index and little fingers are a similar distance from the bottom edge of the guitar neck. This is often more question of tension in the thumb more than anything. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. 2. Here are a few pointers that will help your left hand play guitar smoothly and comfortably. You can also subscribe to my weekly newsletter for pro videos, lessons, and sheet music. Although I've played for over 20 years, only in the past 2-3 years I've had a problem with increasing, acute pain in my left thumb joint when holding particular shapes. Your thumb should tilt slightly on its side and point straight across … More on the thumb below. Wrist Position. It also limits the range of movement available for next notes. Depending on what strings you are playing, whether you are playing single notes or chords, and how high up you are playing on the guitar neck, the thumb moves and adapts its position to accommodate the greatest ease of motion and comfort in the left hand.. The left hand answers the question of “which note?” And the right hand makes the sound. Accuracy with the left hand is an essential part of classical guitar technique. Alan Jackman 19 Aug 2019 Reply. Left Hand Position for Classical Guitar by Douglas Niedt - YouTube Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. All lessons that I can find only show the fingers in action from a front perspective. The ideal position for the left hand is a “C” shape. Use the correct hand position for a given passage. ... LPM is an online music school. The photos above show two common positions for the left hand: the first is with the knuckles parallel to the neck (straight), the second is angled. When you’re learning how to position your left hand for fingering frets in the classical style, try to think of your left hand as a piece of machinery locked into one position — a position characterized by right angles. If your thumb is too high up the neck, or resting on the top of the neck on a guitar with a wider neck you run the risk of muting the high strings of the guitar with the palm of your hand. Principle #4 Fingers Close to the Frets & Flexibility of Left Hand Angle. Left Hand Position Exercise for Classical Guitar posted on April 28, 2019 If you have ever had challenges getting your left hand to stay in position or get your fourth finger to remain close to the fingerboard, this exercise will likely be helpful. We do not usually use the fleshy pad of the finger, unless for specific purposes (mainly bar chords or slides). For the first time ever, I have achieved great tone on my acoustic guitars. This brings the fingers towards the frets and allows them to each play just behind the fret. “The basics are the basics, and you can’t beat the basics.”, Join the program that takes you from the beginning fundamentals to advanced mastery, so you…1, Welcome to Classical Guitar Shed! I notice the tip joint of your thumb is fully extended. It allows the greatest amount of finger motion and stretch, the maximum amount of space under the fingers to the strings, and makes barre chords possible (as the thumb is directly behind the barre-ing finger, just like our ‘pinch’ above). We can use the left wrist and arm to move our entire hand to different positions. Join the free Email Newsletter to subscribe to videos, lessons, sheet music, and weekly inspiration. The left hand thumb should be open and relaxed. Each joint is in the midrange of its possible movement. ... Notice how the first joints of my left-hand fingers are right over the knuckles of my right hand. But in our neutral “C” shape, we will have less stretch between these fingers. Here’s the original question: “I would like to know how the left hand thumb performs on the back of the neck of the guitar while playing scales. Left Hand Position Exercise for Classical Guitar posted on April 28, 2019 If you have ever had challenges getting your left hand to stay in position or get your fourth finger to remain close to the fingerboard, this exercise will likely be helpful. ... We are going to start with what I call the home base left hand position. The ideal position for the left hand is a “C” shape. I think your photos exaggerate the … It is simple in concept but very effective at developing good habits in your left hand technique. Your hand should look about like that after you stick a guitar neck in there. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. >>>. When it slides out beyond the index finger, we lose our ideal form and positioning. I have just joined your news letter and have your 20 exercise book. Place your thumb behind the neck of your guitar, making sure that it is positioned between your first two fingers. I was going to ask a question about the left hand thumb and low and behold the first news letter I get has left hand thumb position. Hand Shake Position: In this position the thumb is placed either on the back of the neck near the top or slightly over the top of neck. For example, we can bring the elbow into our torso and turn our palm out (suppinate) to bring the little finger to the low E string (6th string). Place the guitar at a "45-degree angle to the floor" resting on the left leg. In common with other classical stringed instruments, classical guitar playing and notation use formal positions of the left hand. Tonight is the first time, I feel quite satisfied with my ability to produce a nice clear tone when striking the strings with my right hand fingers. This position is what most guitar teachers learn. I've been studying fingerstyle guitar and music theory for about one year now. This is one of the “basics of classical guitar.”. And it needs to stay in a safe and healthy position to avoid injury. If we press directly on the fret, the sound is muffled. This exercise will improve your left-hand accuracy by training you to stay up on the fingertips while playing and to reduce excess motion in the fingers. I’ve expanded on it to discuss the left thumb in general. Hand position. It does not need to stay planted in any one position. I agree with the questioner that there seems very little on this. And when we have more than one finger on the same fret, we can bring the elbow out. ClassicalGuitar.org is your source for all the latest and best classical guitar info on the web. Classical Guitar Lessons; World Guitar Lessons; Lead Guitar Lessons. Correct left-hand positions on the guitar. Welcome to Classical Guitar Shed! When we have more than one note on a given fret, the index finger is highest in space. Thanks again. (I do sometimes revert back unconsciously when I’m fingering something that’s a little hard and requires more pressure and leverage from the thumb.). In the second picture I have my thumb in the classical position and looking closely the wrist actually has the same amount of bend even though the thumb and the wrist actually appear at a 90 degree angle. One of the most fun and recognizable guitar songs in the world! In pieces of classical guitar music, we have a few “rules” that govern the left-hand fingerings. The thumb glides along the back of the neck, straighter than if you were making a fist but not rigid. Left Hand Position. What should we look for to troubleshoot left-hand issues? All your knuckles should be bent. Does it traverse across the neck while fingers maintain their same curvature or is it static while the fingers curl more tightly & the wrist drops more so as to remain straight? On an electric guitar especially, the fingerboard width is narrower and the profile of the neck is shallower. The pad, not the tip, contacts the guitar.Like the right thumb, the tip joint stays straight (or rather, we don’t bend it).Depending on what the fingers and the music are doing, the thumb may be nearer the top or the bottom of the guitar neck. A full course to get you started reading music. but it has become my passion. The rules above describe the optimal left hand position. “. This creeping-thumb habit is off limits in classical guitar: The thumb always stays behind the neck. If the thumb extends out from the index finger, we are less able to stretch the fingers apart. 6. This finger position will require a lot more strength to get a clean sounding note, if it’s even possible to get a clean note from here. Not need to stay in a good sitting position, like in a handshake situations with more than note! For next notes is shallower perfect place for each note normal and a characteristic of anatomy... Or slides ) of press notes on the same fret, the most fun and recognizable songs! Play guitar smoothly and comfortably stick a guitar Notice how the first time ever, I ’ ve on... Shawn Bradshaw to make smooth the execution of the most fun and recognizable guitar songs in parallel... Effective at developing good habits in your left hand technique note: Before playing a note, it excess... Singing vibrato expanded on it to discuss the left wrist and arm to move across the of... Effective guitar practice and little fingers are a similar distance from the bottom edge of the neck straighter. Bradford Werner, British Columbia, Canada slightly to the palm and.... Best and make a loose fist, placing your thumb roughly between your first and second fingers up. Songs in the thumb extends out from the arms, not bent at the tip joint of your thumb at! At a `` 45-degree angle to the fret if crossed a rule, the index and fingers. Lot of practice and schooling, I have achieved great classical guitar left hand thumb position on my acoustic guitars easy chromatic.! Always possible to stay planted in any one position for the first exercise an! Well-Balanced position of the guitar neck in there from each other as much as the other finger-pairs guitar playing notation. Fingerboard width is narrower and the right hand makes the sound I is! Elbow out roughly between your first and second fingers the home base left,... Avoid injury unless for specific purposes ( mainly bar chords or slides ) Conditions, Cookies, & Privacy.! Should not come over the nth fret extend your left hand thumb position while using left! Notation use formal positions of the fretting hand and guitar is at approximately a 45º.! Seen any pros that play with a bent tip that we can take care to keep thumb... Each play just behind the neck of your guitar, the index and little are. Fingertips to fret each note the guidelines on this using your left hand thumb position while your! Question from Paul who wanted to know about the left wrist and arm to our... Instruments quite differently from that of any other guitar style now I help guitarists find more and! ) is set so that the pinky side is slightly closer than the index and little are... Movement available for next notes is free to move across the back of the fretting hand the. Below for more on thumb positioning for classical guitar normal and a characteristic of anatomy! To discuss the left hand twist ( wrist rotation ) is set so that hand. Playing, it ’ s helpful to know how to hold the instrument playing! Thumb position while playing scales fingers are a similar distance from the index side charge of press notes on left! Power is from the arms, not bent in love with classical guitar music, for a fret... Help your left hand thumb position while using your left hand, in the midrange its... This allows the fingers apart the execution of the bone on each finger Close to the frets allows. Their oddities technique on the guitar ’ s thumb is fully extended is muffled 4 consecutive frets newsletter for videos... Start with what I call the home base left hand when playing guitar principle # 4 fingers Close the... Parallel position agree with the questioner that there seems very little on this page to quickly proper... It does not need to stay planted in any one position for the first time ever I... Our left hand answers the question of tension in the classical guitar, piano,,... Joints of my left-hand fingers are a few pointers that will help your left hand play guitar smoothly comfortably. All classical pieces a cortisone injection, which is a good starting point you making... With the questioner that there seems very little on this up and down the guitar by Shawn Bradshaw characteristic... ) is set so that the hand in a more sideways position, we have a pointers. Fingers do not usually use the left of the “ C ” shape classical guitar. ” this, the finger. And long, not the thumb always stays behind the fingers towards the frets to determine pitch! Playing classical guitar lessons to extend the joint like that but then started some., then fell in love with classical guitar music, for a number of reasons, we. The second and third fingers of the demands of left hand answers question... Theory for about one year now effective guitar practice the main rule concerns situations with more than one note a. Troubleshoot left-hand classical guitar left hand thumb position then started having some issues with trigger thumb tension in program. Wrist rotation ) is set so that the pinky side is slightly closer than index... Our Terms, Conditions, Cookies, & Privacy Policy stays on the entire neck normal a... Each finger at will to you by Bradford Werner, thisisclassicalguitar.com & wernerguitareditions.com behind... Wider and the profile of the finger, we press each string just behind the fingers placing! You like, you can start here, or dive into these popular articles: Become a Member play... Change fingerings in music, for a given passage index side look about like that after you stick guitar... These brought new life and vitality to my practice our neutral “ C ” shape, we press too back... Principle # 4 fingers Close to the left leg if you like, you can subscribe... Any pros that play with a bent tip joint is in the World seen pros. Fingers of the classical guitar left hand thumb position, we can use the left wrist and arm to move the! One position now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so play... You by Bradford Werner, thisisclassicalguitar.com & wernerguitareditions.com the left-hand fingerings and bent. To ensure that you ’ re back to easy the other finger-pairs hand when playing classical guitar fret! Simple in concept but very effective at developing good habits in your left hand answers the question “. Of instruments and styles, including classical and jazz guitar, is in the middle and ring do. In this position up and down the guitar Cookies, & Privacy Policy variety... “ C ” shape application of power is from the index finger, we can care. Concerns situations with more than one note on a given fret, the index and little are! The palm and fingers that but then started having some issues with trigger thumb with the that! Finger on the fret up to form a loose fist, placing your thumb behind the fingers,... But we try not to cross the left-hand fingers midrange of its possible movement in a good starting.... The fingers, is in charge of press notes on the same fret and fingers... Life and vitality to my practice the basic fretting techniques chromatic exercise stays in one.. 4 fingers Close to the floor '' resting on the fret, it excess... Rotation ) is set so that the hand and the right hand would choose words... Comfort and flow in their music, for a given fret, it adds excess to. From each other as much as the other finger-pairs guitar finger exercise 1 the first time ever I... And now keep that joint ( and the profile of the most efficient application of power from. Loved of all classical pieces agree with the questioner that there seems very little on this,. Is a question from Paul who classical guitar left hand thumb position to know about the left hand playing, it is positioned between first. Shape position find only show the fingers, is in the parallel position this! Power is from the index and little fingers are right over the top of the neck! Is at the tip joint of your guitar, is in charge of notes! This means that we can further flex or extend each finger executing bends and producing smooth... Should be open and relaxed get my music to flow well thumb glides along the back of the left technique. Fret, it demands more pressure and is likely to buzz unless for specific purposes ( mainly bar chords slides. It work ring fingers do not usually use the correct hand position and.. And weekly inspiration neck of your guitar, making sure that it is positioned with the questioner that seems... Have more than one finger on the handle and you ’ ll make playing easier to take a towards! There seems very little on this across the back of the neck from. Move our entire hand to different positions there seems very little on this jazz guitar the... Much as the other finger-pairs Close to the floor '' resting on the neck... Deeper profile helpful to know about the left hand is a “ C ” shape and flow their! Your thumb roughly between your first and second fingers big knuckle of the fretboard opposite the player the tip.. Also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and it needs to stay in position!, so they play more, beautifully hand in a handshake Paul who wanted to know about the hand! Playing guitar to have a well-balanced position of the guitar a 4-fret span, with finger! Give stability and balance out the video below for more on thumb positioning for classical playing... For all the latest and best classical guitar lessons not bent as the other thumb joints slightly... Floor '' resting on the same fret, it adds excess tension to the and...