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GUITAR BASICS BLOG

Holding the guitar

24/11/2017

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As with playing any instrument, good position is the root of good technique. Avoiding tension is really important, not only to be technically proficient, but to enable focusing on making music.

Something as simple as arching the foot creates tension in the body, not only will this cause physical problems long term, but will have a negative impact on your ability to give 100% focus to creating beautiful sounds.

Loafing on the sofa with a guitar may seem relaxed, but much of your concentration will be on creating a stable position for the guitar and not on creating freedom of movement of the hands. Even the wrong height chair will affect your ability to play with ease.

I remember the first lesson with Craig Ogden… shoeless! He was very concerned that my toes were relaxed and not curling - a good point that we need to be relaxed when we play, but not very likely playing in front of such a giant of the guitar world. I remember the chair I had to sit on being very high and having to use his fattest book to elevate my left foot so that the Gitano rest didn’t slide down my thigh (I opted for Harry Potter rather than the complete works of Shakespeare for some reason). 

This video looks at devices (footstool, Dynarette, Gitano) to help elevate the guitar to enable a position which gives hands easy access to all frets and stability whilst shifting.

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    Guitar Basics


    Over the years I've developed techniques and picked up some gems from influential teachers such as Craig Ogden, Manus Noble and Gary Ryan that can make playing so much more pleasurable, snippets that can help make the seemingly unachievable, achievable. 

    My general approach to good technique is one based on relaxed posture and focused effort. The reason we work on technique is to allow the music to be freed from the score and expressed by the guitarist with ease and confidence.

    Lots of students have asked if I could record the exercises we regularly use and this blog is the result.

    Blog introduction can be read here.

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  • Introduction
  • Book a lesson
  • Videos
  • Online lessons
  • Guitar Basics Blog
  • Music Workshops
  • ABOUT ME