Standard Position

The standard method for holding the classical guitar is to place it across the left leg and, using a footstool, elevate the leg to a point where the guitar is at an approximately 30 degree angle to the player. There are several reasons why classical guitarists sit this way:

• It lets the guitar rest against your chest and legs, leaving both arms free to move (without having to exert extra pressure and tension to hold the instrument). • The guitar is placed in a position that will project the sound acoustically to the back of the room.

These are very important considerations. However, most guitarists who have learned to play without this position find this method of sitting very uncomfortable. Furthermore, many doctors, chiropractors, and experts in ergonomics say that this sitting position places stress on the lower back and weakens the body's musculos­keletal system.

The 90 Degree Rule

My sifting position uses one concept: the 90 degree rule. Your feel should be flat on the floor. Your knees should be at a 90 degree angle to your feet. Your legs should be bent at a 90 degree angle at your knees. Your trunk should be at a 90 degree angle to your legs, bent at your hips. Your back should be straight, and your shoulders parallel to the ground. Then I like to use items such as an A-frame stand or a cushion to prop the guitar up on the left leg. This is a position that will give your body more strength. Another item that i use quite often is a guitar strap Of course, I don't use a strap with an expensive classical guitar, but on cheaper guitars I have found it very useful, in pit orchestra situations, a strap is often practical because of space con side rations. In the classroom. I am constantly walking around the room with my guitar to help students. I often use a strap when I am playing gigs. In more "formal classical guitar performances, I will use the A-frame guitar stand positioned on my left leg.

NOTE: Sitting for long periods, even in the above position, can tire out the back. To counter this, I like to sit in a chair that has a forward slope. If the chair doesn't have slope, I use a wedge cushion to sit on. Other alternatives would be to roll up a towel at the back of the seat or to place a 2" x 4" piece of wood under the back legs of the chair. This can greatly reduce any tension that might build up in your back; it will also allow you to lean forward without feeling like you are slumping over the guitar.

Alternate Positions

1. A variation on standard: The footstool is higher, and the guitar is resting on the knee in a different location. This places the instrument a little more to the player's right side, which will help many players feel more comfortable. The guitar is in a similar position as a guitar strap holding the instrument.
2. Traditional flamenco shifting position: The flamenco guitar I am using in the photo is very light in construction. I could also use my chin to help balance the instrument ii I wanted to.
3. A more contemporary flamenco position: A favorite among guitarists of all styles. This position helps relieve stress in my back and shoulders I use it for short periods of time everyday, but I try not to spend too much time here, and I don't recommend using this as your normal sitting position.

Hand Position

As I expect you to have some playing experience already and, therefore, your own habits and preferences, my rules for hand position are minimal: • Try to keep the hand, wrist, and forearm in a straight line. This correctly aligns the muscles and relaxes the hand position. Relaxation will develop only with correct muscle alignment. This applies to both hands, • Make sure you can see the knuckles in both hands when you play. To do this, you'll need to have a uniform curve in each finger. Each hand needs to be in a neutral (midran-ge) position; bending the wrist or either hand tends to flex or extend the muscles, which will inhibit your playing technique. • Try to keep your left hand moving parallel to the fingerboard, with your left-hand thumb on or near the center of the guitar neck, in line between the index and middle fingers.

Practice in front of a mirror during the first few months of playing the classical guitar so that you can visually check your hand positions and posture. Once these techniques feel comfortable and are internalized, lose the mirror.

Fingernails

Too much emphasis gets placed on right-hand fingernail shape when people ere starting to play classical or fingerstyle guitar. I think that it is much more important to learn to play from the tip of the finger and get a very quick release off of the string when plucking (without the nail), and then add a small amount of fingernail to support the sound as your playing progresses. Many guitarists will grow long fingernails and gradually lose all contact with the fingertip when plucking a string. My point is that you need to take lime to get your right-hand attack consistent and relaxed, and then add fingernails. This will take anywhere from three to six months.