Left wrist positioning for good habits and video

Hi all,

I am a newbie learning how to play my electric guitar. Years ago I had tennis elbow from office work in bad positions and could also feel some strain on my wrists. That is largely gone nowadays due to paying attention to the ergonomy of my workspace.

Before signing up here I checked out how was the "correct"/safe way to play with the left hand and, although there were many different opinions, it seems that mostly people agree that your left wrist should be always kept straight to avoid injury and get into good habits from the start. I have smallish hands but try my best to keep it straight. I am also using a strap. I therefore have a few questions on left hand position - I'd appreciate it a lot if anyone could advise on these.

(1) I started the beginner lessons last week and loving Lisa's lessons and clear tutorials. I also saw the "how to hold the guita tutorial" of course. But one thing I noticed is that sometimes she plays with a bent wrist (example: Changing Between Simple Am and E, @1:50 onwards). I was wondering if this is normal or if I should aim to keep my wrist straight at all times.

(2) I find that, when sitting, having the body of the guitar tilt slightly downwards, i.e. rotated ever so slightly towards the floor such that I can't see all the strings, helps get the wrist in a straighter position. The downside of that is that I can't see the strings and have to try my best to find their position intuitively. Is this a good idea or should it be always facing straight ahead of me?

(3) Is moving the guitar up more than 45 degrees (such that it is more upright) advisable? I find it also might allow for a straighter wrist, but then the right hand position might suffer a bit.

Thanks in advance!

C.M.

Hi and welcome

I think a lot of your questions will be answered in Lisa's fundamentals. And then you can go from there.

As I type this I am in my recliner playing while my wife watches tv. Not exactly ideal posture but very relaxed!

Best of luck

Originally Posted by: William MG

Hi and welcome

I think a lot of your questions will be answered in Lisa's fundamentals. And then you can go from there.

As I type this I am in my recliner playing while my wife watches tv. Not exactly ideal posture but very relaxed!

Best of luck

If you mean Chapter 1 fundamentals on "how to hold an electric guitar", these particular questions are not answered. Perhaps there are additional lessons in the fudamentals later on that you are talking about? [br]And here is a pic of what I mean regarding question number (1):

https://imgur.com/Wy9k7Ax

If this is standard then it obviously makes reaching strings much easier. So should I not be afraid of playing with a bent left wrist?

Yes that was what I was referring to. Lisa also talks about craning over to see the strings, but I have to admit I do do it. I am trying to break myself of this habit but its not easy, especially when chords become more complicated.

Personally I have not heard the straight wrist thing. And sometimes, on forums, people talk about subjects without real hands on experience. Sounds shocking but it happens.

So I just came across this. I think it will definitely clear things up. If Christopher has a curvature I would say you and I should as well

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=13958

Originally Posted by: William MG

Yes that was what I was referring to. Lisa also talks about craning over to see the strings, but I have to admit I do do it. I am trying to break myself of this habit but its not easy, especially when chords become more complicated.

Personally I have not heard the straight wrist thing. And sometimes, on forums, people talk about subjects without real hands on experience. Sounds shocking but it happens.

So I just came across this. I think it will definitely clear things up. If Christopher has a curvature I would say you and I should as well

https://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=13958

I must tell you that the "straight wrist" argument is not something I read once or twice by seemingly cluel Here are a coupe of examples:

https://www.classicalguitaracademy.co.uk/left-hand-positioning-and-technique/

https://www.guitar-muse.com/technique-are-you-holding-that-guitar-right-posture-wrist-thumb-and-more-5718

I read these as keep your left wrist as straight as possible and only on occasion where really needed bend it to get to otherwise impossible-to-play chords. Making a bent wrist a habit seems like a risk to your wrist-health.

The video you shared is good, I like it. It answers mostly the questions about the angles of the guitar that can be helpful - for instance I had never thought that I could move the head of the guitar slightly away from me! That's a great tip. Also, although he does say something about being able to curve your hand around the guitar, he actually keeps his wrists super straight through the demonstration.

I wonder if there is any video on this site that officially clarifies what is correct and what should be avoided...

Originally Posted by: Captain Monkey

Before signing up here I checked out how was the "correct"/safe way to play with the left hand and, although there were many different opinions, it seems that mostly people agree that your left wrist [u]should be always kept straight[/u]

I read through the articles you posted and I am glad you now realize they are not saying "always". When I went through the major chords I always bend my wrist when making a G. Its not a big bend but it is bent. I can force myself to keep my wrist straight, but it is so uncomfortable I would never do it that way. And I rarely hold my guitar in the classical position. Its mostly in my lap.

I don't know what is on the website and I can't comment on what is safe. I think holding rigid to any concept is not something I would or do "do". For instance in Chris' video he mentions a strap, which I do have and sometimes use. But what he does not go over is what should someone do who has osteoarthirtis in his neck (me) and a strap just aint going to happen - at least for long periods of time because even small aggravations or irritants can result in severe pain. So I adapt and keep moving forward.

Good luck to you.