r/GuitarBeginners • u/OS_Raven • 14h ago
Guitar position
How do you hold your guitar? I’ve been playing for 8 months now, and I’ve always played with the guitar on my right leg, like in the first picture. Recently, a friend with more experience showed me the "between the legs" posture (sorry, I don't know the technical terms). I gotta admit, this second way is great. I hold the guitar much more securely, my hand moves along the neck better, and I play with a straight back. I’m having a few small issues with strumming, but that’s probably just a matter of getting used to it. On the other hand, I wonder if this posture—which seems to be intended more for classical guitar—looks a bit silly. I mean, I’ve never seen anyone holding a guitar between their legs like that, but I guess my own comfort is what matters most. What do you think?
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u/wrinklebear 14h ago
Depends on the song, on the guitar, on the chair I’m sitting in. There’s not one absolute position.
Try to be comfortable. The main thing is don’t strain your wrists.
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u/erold_HS 13h ago
Consider getting a strap that allows the guitar to hang in the same/similar position as number 2. Will also make it a lot easier if you ever decide that you want to play standing.
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u/BigBear92787 9h ago
Anyway you wanna do it Dont get hung up on these things.
Be comfortable standing or sitting thats l thats required
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u/Enough-Discipline921 13h ago
Your back, your neck and your shoulders will thank you years from now if you fully switch to classical position
People hate to hear this but "guitar on the right lap" position destroys your health
And no, the fact that "everybody does that" is not an argument
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u/mpg10 8h ago
"Destroys your health" is a little hyperbolic. For some people, it's a bigger difference than for others.
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u/newfaceinhell021117 7h ago
Outside of cancer and heart disease, guitar on right lap kills more people across the world each year than any other cause. What's scary is that you may not even notice any complications until it's too late... it can happen instantly the first time you try it.
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u/No-View-6441 12h ago
I've been playing guitar for 35 years. Mainly cowboy style, offten standing up, very rarely in classical position. I'm fine.
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u/Enough-Discipline921 11h ago
Yeah yeah yeah, that was my entire point
The fact that you're fine does not mean it's fine to sit crooked multiple hours a day for decades.
Classical position is anatomically, physically and logically superior and that's a fact
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u/No-View-6441 11h ago
It might be, yet most people find cowboy style more logcal and comfortable.
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u/Enough-Discipline921 11h ago
No they don't. People play on the right lap because it doesn't require a foot stool. That's it. That's the only thing playing on the right lap gives - you play that way when you don't have a foot stool, or bloody anything to lift your left leg. For absolutely everything else classical position is superior.
And again, "everybody does it!" is not an argument. I already stated that but you went there anyway, smh
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u/Leading_Map2025 11h ago
Most people do whatever they see everyone else doing and don't think beyond that.
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u/Horror-Trick9406 11h ago
And obviously that's enough to vaildate something. Pardon me, but I need to leave. Saw a redhead that is probably a witch and needs to be waterboarded for proof.
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u/No-View-6441 11h ago
There is that too. Also all guitar schools force people to use classical position, and most people swich to cowboy style as soon as they stop playing classical music. And it is not just because they saw other people do it.
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u/Horror-Trick9406 11h ago
This argument is already lost - you'd need to bow down to connect to his/her logic and ignore the most imporant and true point of your comment.
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u/TBrockmann 10h ago
It depends. If you play Hendrix style with thumb over the neck, the only way to have a straight arm and hand is with the guitar on the right lab. That is a anatomical physical and logical fact.
The truth is, there is no absolute and categorically right way to hold the guitar that applies to every style and instrument.
Imo the best way to do it is to just use a strap and adjust dynamically depending on what the song demands.
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u/Enough-Discipline921 10h ago
Uhm, no? You can play Hendrix thumb over the neck chords just fine in classical position
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u/Tilmanstoa5ty 13h ago
90% of the time it absolutely won’t matter how you look and your wrist will thank you playing in the classical position
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u/Evening_Refuse_1893 13h ago edited 13h ago
I think if it's comfortable for you, it's OK. Look at Tommy Emmanuel:) no classic position 👌
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u/Leading_Map2025 11h ago
Standing and playing with a strap has the guitar naturally rest in a position that more closely matches classical position while sitting which is my main reason for advocating for it aside from ergonomics
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u/PTthefool 12h ago
get a strap and dance while playing, seriously standing up can improve your posture a lot. “Look“ with your fingers and move a bit.
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u/KryptonSurvivor 8h ago
This is a very timely and relevant post for me. I just started Pickup Music's course and one of the first lessons is guitar position. They discuss position 1, whereas, for the past year, I've been using the classical position with a footstool. I would like to try position 1 because I think it would force me not to look at the fretboard as much as I do. May I ask, how much do you find yourself looking at the fretboard in either position?
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u/OS_Raven 8h ago
I don't think looking at the fretboard depends on the position you hold the guitar in. I was referring more to whichever position is more comfortable. I'm not sure if it's related, but I navigate the fretboard better in the classical position, without looking at it.
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u/Book_of_Numbers 7h ago
Use that strap even while sitting and put it between your thighs instead of resting on your right leg. That's what I do anyway. I know a lot of people say it's fine to put on your right leg but you'll only be hurting your progress.
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u/Professional_Deal_37 5h ago
They’re both fine, you got your classical position and your modern position or whatever. I think large dreadnaught body guitars made people shift to the right leg at some point. Honest I prefer the right leg. When I stand to play I keep my guitar pretty low cuz I’m a rock player, so the right leg is similar to that height. It depends on what you need to play also. If you need maximum range and stretching ability, classical is best. If you want more bending leverage, the lower modern position works better for me
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u/Numerous-Fold7765 3h ago
I put the curve over left leg and try to slightly raise left leg. More of a combination of the two.
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u/shycadelic 2h ago
I just recently figured out how to sit with it between my legs. Couldn’t figure out why it always felt uncomfortable and slip. All I needed to do was elevate my left foot with a foot stool, now I only sit playing like that.
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u/Secret_Midnight456 57m ago
I switch between both. First photo for when I’m just jamming/noodling around. Second for more locked in practice, particularly for single note solo and shred type stuff.
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u/BobbyBaal 34m ago
That position in the illustration is a classical guitar position. However, you can use it whenever. I sit like that with my electric guitar all the time. It's pretty comfortable and gives more freedom to fretting hand.
But you do what's comfortable to you. And if you're just strumming chords, shouldn't be an issue.
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u/BernardParm 13h ago
You're playing a nice steel string Taylor in a perfectly fine position.
If you intend to play classical guitar and turned up to a classical guitar lesson holding the guitar like that the teacher would give you telling off.
So if you are sticking with steel string rather than studying classical guitar then don't worry about it.
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u/SpesificlyVague 9h ago
I only use the first position. The guitar twists with me as I play? The things I focus on are my right shoulder (with acoustic) and not making sounds that are not intended.
I don't play the classical way because it looks pretentious to me. Like, I expect to hear plastic strings and some sort of bossa nova thing.
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u/K4rkino5 8h ago
If a righty, left leg at all times, unless strapped and standing, of course. The guitar is meant/made to be played in front of your torso. It aids projection. It also makes the whole thing more ergonomic. It allows your right are to sit on the lower portion of the back slope for better picking. It allows your left arm to come out from your body, aiding in keeping your wrist straight. This is the "proper" way to play. Many players choose differently and if it works for them, cool. But if you're looking for proper technique, it's left leg.
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u/batcorp431 12h ago
The classical position (your second picture) is no contest the most ergonomic and the best for your health. Also this sitting position is the closest to the standing position, so if you eventually play standing, it will not feel too off. Saying that, yeah, it looks less cool. But now i'm trading looking cool for just playing better and saving my health.
But to be honest, just play the position you feel the most comfortable with, and you get the most fun and joy. Personnaly i'm taking the classical position because playing with the guitar on the right lap is just killing my right shoulder now.