Should eyes be looking at right hand or left hand?

Hi there,

Very new to guitar here, started learning only 4 days back.

Just a question when it comes to playing chords and picking individual strings or 3 strings in a strumming action.

Should my eyes be looking at the right hand when trying to pick strings (1 through 6)? Or should my eyes be looking at the left hand at which frets my fingers are against? OR do i need to quickly shift my eye contact from right hand to left hand, when the chords are changed?

OR (more frightening) do i not need to look at my hands at all, and look straight up at the audience?? If this is the case, i think i wouldnt be accurately be able to strike the strings no?

[br]What is the ideal scenario?

Pretty confused right now.

Thank you!

Hi!

Why don't you try both at the same time? It saves time.

Nah, just kidding.

With time (and lots of practice), muscle memory will kick in and you will be looking straight into your audience's eyes. That said, you will be surprised how quickly you get used to it in your first position (not stepping to the higher frets).

But in the mean time, you will probably find it easier to find an anchor point on your right arm/hand (lead players will tend to keep their wrist in contact with their bridge or tail piece and play with wrist movements, not shifting much their arm position; strummers will tend to anchor their arm at some point on the edge of the guitar and strum moving their arm and wrist).

And while you do this, take a peep at your left hand. Just try, as much as possible, to avoid twisting the neck to see the fretboard directly. Try using the markings on the side of the neck.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by: Captain_Crunch

Hi!

Why don't you try both at the same time? It saves time.

Permalink

Originally Posted by: Voncraider

That was very helpful advice, Captain_Crunch. Thank you!

P.S. - I love your cereal

No probs!