Left Hand Position

Just found the website and I have been trying to make my way though the fundamental section but I find that my left hand/forearm are killing me after only a bit of playing.

Do I just need to build up more strength?

I've been trying to hold the guitar properly but it just doesn't feel right. It always seems to slide down into my palm and just rest there.

So should I continue forcing myself to play with some discomfort and hope that it gets better or just do it how it feels comfortable?

Also is there any particular guitar that I should be learning on? I have a fender acoustic that was a package set. It seems big and bulky to me.

Great site so far!

Thanks

You have to be careful about pain and playing. Of course there will be some discomfort expected when you start, you have to build up callouses on your finger tips and dexterity on your tendons (fingers, wrist and forearm). However, you have to be careful not to give yourself a srtess injury. Make sure you keep the stress off the wrist by keeping the elbow out from your body. Safest thing to do is take regular breaks and have a good look at how you hold the guitar, I've only ever really played electric so I can't give exact tips on how you should be sitting but you should get good tips by looking at really good players. Hope that helps a bit.

Hey Stonefly.

Welcome to Guitar Tricks! Here is a set of warm ups that may help you with your questions and troubles. These are designed to help with proper hand position, and finger strength and stretch.

”SPIDER LEGS” WARM-UP EXERCISES
http://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=621

The Fender Acoustic is pretty standard and should be fine, unless you have some sort of special circumstance.

Keep us posted- have fun!

Best wishes, Lisa

Hey Stonefly...do you play with a strap or with the guitar in your lap?

One thing that should never happen is that the weight of the neck/guitar would be resting in your left hand. Even sitting, I prefer using a strap to hang the guitar off of my. You should be positioned so that your hands are free to do what they need to do and should not be supporting any of the guitar weight.

If you play with the guitar resting in your lap, make sure that the hip curve of the body rests on your left thigh and the butt end of the guitar touching the inner side of your other thigh. Th guitar should also be at a slight upward angle for the butt end to the headstock.

It sounds like you're holding the guitar while trying to fret notes and that's impossible and will drive you nuts if true. I think most kits come with a strap so you may want to try working with that.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've moved my guitar from my right leg to my left which has worked wonders and the spider legs exercises are amazing for fixing my hand position and stretching out my fingers. Thanks again