Right Hand and Arm

Lesson 12/40 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Note Reading Method 1

Right Hand and Arm

Using the Pick

The right hand is used to play the strings by plucking them with a pick.
A pick is a piece of plastic shaped like a triangle.

Hold the pick lightly between your thumb and first finger, as shown in the following photo.

Use the tip of the pick to play the string.

Right Arm Position

The correct position for the right arm is illustrated in Photo A. Notice that the fore-arm rests on the upper edge of the guitar, just below the elbow. Be careful not to have the elbow hanging over the face of the guitar or your hand too far along the fretboard (Photo B).

Photo A: CORRECT

Photo B: INCORRECT

The Left Hand

The left hand fingers are numbered as shown.

Left Hand Placement

Your fingers should be on their tips and placed just left of the frets (not on top of them).

Be careful not to allow the thumb to hang too far over the top of the neck (Photo C), or to let it run parallel along the back of the neck (Photo D).

Photo C: INCORRECT

Photo D: INCORRECT

CORRECT

Previous Lesson Next Lesson

Gary Turner and Brenton White

Product Designer

5.00

Profile

Class Sessions

1- Eighth Notes 2- INTRODUCTION 3- Third String Notes 4- Second String Notes 5- Fourth String Notes 6- Fifth String Notes 7- First String Notes 8- Sixth String Notes 9- Sharps 10- Flats 11- Dotted Quarter Notes 12- APPENDIX ONE – TUNING 13- Chord Charts 14- GLOSSARY OF MUSICAL TERMS 15- Alternate Picking 16- Note Summary 17- Open Position Notes 18- Rests 19- Supplementary Pieces 20- Note Summary 21- Tuning Hints 22- Approach to Practice 23- Count, Pick and Fingering Symbols 24- Duets 25- Other Titles in this Series 26- Electronic Tuners 27- Note Summary 28- Right Hand Support 29- Pick Technique 30- Using an Electronic Tuner 31- Acoustic Guitars 32- Electric Guitars 33- Amplifiers 34- Strings 35- Seating 36- Standing 37- Right Hand and Arm 38- The Rudiments of Music 39- Note Values 40- Time Signatures

GDPR

When you visit any of our websites, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and manage your preferences. Please note, that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

Right Hand and Arm