Guitar Lessons -
Guitar Technique Basics
In this guitar technique lesson, you will learn left and right hand positions
that will improve your guitar playing immediately!
RIGHT HAND SINGLE NOTE TECHNIQUE:
1. The Pinky finger should
lightly rest on the pickguard or guitar (if no
pickguard). This technique will help to anchor your hand
so that you can pick the strings more accurately.
(SEE PICTURE)
2. Wrist and hand should be relaxed
3. Grip the guitar pick with the
thumb and index finger.
- thumb is across wide
part of the pick
- index finger points to
the sharp corner of the pick
- about half of the
length of the pick should be showing
4. The wrist as well as the thumb
and index finger should move to pick the string.
5. When playing scales or single
note runs, keep the pick at a right angle to the guitar
strings. This technique will help you to play faster and
with more accuracy!
RIGHT HAND CHORD TECHNIQUE:
1. Pinky finger should not be
down
2. Wrist and hand should be relaxed
3. When strumming, lightly
brush across the guitar strings with a quick motion. Use
a little wrist and a little arm motion.
4. The chord should sound like one
entity, not separate notes
LEFT HAND TECHNIQUE:
1. Fingers are numbered 1,2,3,4
(the thumb is not counted)
2. The top of the thumb should be
flush and approximately even with the top of the guitar
neck
3. The Thumb should be lined up
approximately with the Left 2nd finger
4. Nails should be completely
clipped
5. Curl the finger and
press the string down with the fingertip. This guitar
technique will help your to play faster with more
accuracy.
6. The fingertip should be next to
the fret desired, not in the middle of the frets.
 Both
hands should be relaxed!!
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