How to Hold the Guitar
There are two ways to hold a classical guitar.
The choice between a footstool and leg-rest is personal. The footstool can cause back problems for some, but is a lot more stable than some leg-rests. The advantage of the leg-rest, is that both feet are on the ground, so that there is less probability of twisting the back.
On the other hand, a raised left leg makes the fretboard more easily accessible. This position is a little uncomfortable in the first few weeks, but will soon become second nature.
The four contact points of the guitar with the body for support, are:
- The forearm of the right arm rests on the guitar as indicated in the photos.
- The wider part of the guitar body rests on the inside right leg.
- The "waist" of the guitar fits flat on top of your left leg.
- And lastly the back of the body of the guitar, held in a straight manner, rests against your own torso.
Things to Remember
When holding the guitar:
- The tuning keys should be level with your eyes (the height of the footstool will also effect this).
- Sit forward on the edge of the chair, with your back straight.
- If you are holding the guitar correctly you should not be able to see the strings very easily when looking down. This means the body of the guitar sits very straight against your own body.
- Always use the same chair and footstool height when practicing.
- Keep your shoulders and back relaxed, and avoid unnecessary tension.
Class Sessions
1- INTRODUCTION
2- Free Stroke With the Fingers
3- The Eighth Note
4- The Major Scale
5- Music in Two Parts
6- Notes on the Sixth String
7- Chords
8- Notes on the Fourth String
9- More About Chords
10- Notes on the Third String
11- Learning All the Notes
12- Notes on the First String
13- Picking the Strings
14- Playing Pieces
15- Right Thumb and Fingers Together
16- Simple and Compound Time
17- More About Major Scales
18- Minor Keys and Scales
19- Relative Keys
20- Sixteenth Notes
21- Tones and Semitones
22- D.C al Fine
23- Chord Progressions
24- Rhythm Notation
25- The G Major Scale
26- Sequences
27- Approach to Practice
28- Left Hand Fingering Numbers
29- Right Hand Co-Ordination
30- Note Summary
31- Free Stroke With the Thumb (<em>p</em>)
32- Notes on the Second String
33- The Octave
34- Using i m and a
35- Electronic Tuner
36- The F Major Scale
37- Sharps
38- Duets
39- Pivot Fingers
40- The Lead-in
41- Arpeggios
42- Notes on the Fifth String
43- Chord Symbols
44- Picking Two Notes Together
45- Using the 4th Finger
46- Parts of the Classical Guitar
47- Other Major Scales
48- The Key of C Major
49- Picking Three Notes Together
50- How to Hold the Guitar
51- Keys and Key Signatures
52- The Chromatic Scale
53- Left and Right Hand Technique
54- Rest and Free Stroke Together
55- Flats
56- The Rudiments of Music
57- Enharmonic Notes
58- Note Values
59- Visualizing
60- Time Signatures
61- Learning the Open Strings
62- Nails