Left Hand Position For Classical Guitarists

Like the right hand, the left does not need to conform to full, classic position, however, there are elements that are worth keeping.
• thumb should be hanging from the middle of the back of the neck, roughly in line with the middle finger on the other side.
• wrist should hand straight down, or as straight as you can manage. If there is a significant bend in the wrist, this can lead to strains and painful injuries
• fingers should come ‘up and over’ the strings – imagine the feeling of holding a small tangerine in your hand, take the fruit away but keep the finger shape. That is the position we’re aiming for!
• and lastly, hand, wrist and forearm should make a (more or less) straight line to the elbow, which should be hanging down, directly underneath the neck of the guitar. This is to keep the hands and arm as relaxed as possible so we do not feel like we’re ‘reaching’ for the neck.

These are the hand positions we aim for to make playing as safe, comfortable and easy to play as we can. And guitarists often like to take it easy!