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Guitar Tricks Admin
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Joined: 09/28/05
Posts: 3,493
Guitar Tricks Admin
Full Access
Joined: 09/28/05
Posts: 3,493
12/28/2020 6:48 pm

Thanks for writing in! Learning guitar comes with a bit of pain. From developing calluses to wrist position to back soreness. Calluses hurt, there's no way around that. But wrist and forearm pain should be kept to a minimum. Judging from the second and third picture you posted, your wrist position doesn't look like the issue. But your fingers look a bit tight and tense. The first and second picture show your middle finger in a crampped position. All your fingers should touch the fretboard in a straight fashion, more or less.

I would suggest trying a classical positioning for the time being. It's much better on the wrist. Put the body of the guitar on your left thigh instead of your right. Then angle the neck upward. The body of the guitar will be between your knees. Put your left foot on a box to lift the guitar even further. You will notice your wrist is much more straight. This position will minimize wrist tension.

Discomfort is normal, pain should be avoided. Good luck!


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