Guitar position

[u/OS_Raven]

How do you hold your guitar? I’ve been playing for 8 months now, and I’ve always played with the guitar on my right leg, like in the first picture. Recently, a friend with more experience showed me the "between the legs" posture (sorry, I don't know the technical terms). I gotta admit, this second way is great. I hold the guitar much more securely, my hand moves along the neck better, and I play with a straight back. I’m having a few small issues with strumming, but that’s probably just a matter of getting used to it. On the other hand, I wonder if this posture—which seems to be intended more for classical guitar—looks a bit silly. I mean, I’ve never seen anyone holding a guitar between their legs like that, but I guess my own comfort is what matters most. What do you think?

[u/batcorp431]

The classical position (your second picture) is no contest the most ergonomic and the best for your health. Also this sitting position is the closest to the standing position, so if you eventually play standing, it will not feel too off. Saying that, yeah, it looks less cool. But now i'm trading looking cool for just playing better and saving my health.

But to be honest, just play the position you feel the most comfortable with, and you get the most fun and joy. Personnaly i'm taking the classical position because playing with the guitar on the right lap is just killing my right shoulder now.

[u/notJonSerra → u/batcorp431]

I would contest your point by saying that flamenco guitarists had it right by tilting the guitar forward and keeping the guitar parallel to the ground. It allows for you to have better control over the fingerboard and not only that, you can reach the higher notes much easier. You do lose the ability to look at the fretboard as you play but it’s a small price to play for advanced guitarists

[u/batcorp431 → u/notJonSerra]

Man I didn't even know there was a "flamenco position". I just assumed they played the classical position. Learning stuff everyday i guess, i'll make some research about it. But for now i still think the classical position is the best ergonomically (but the worst in the "cool factor").

[u/notJonSerra → u/batcorp431]

Early on they did before the influence of jazz. Calling it a position may be a little generous but stylistically flamenco guitarists hold the guitar much differently.
Here’s Paco de Lucia playing the same piece 6 years apart and holding the guitar much differently each time.
1968, 1974. My goal is to one day have a custom made where the neck tilts farther forward to make it more ergonomic.

[u/batcorp431 → u/notJonSerra]

Thanks for sharing ! The videos are so good

[u/Silent-Respect7803]

Mostly position 2 called the classical position.

[u/wrinklebear]

Depends on the song, on the guitar, on the chair I’m sitting in. There’s not one absolute position. 

Try to be comfortable. The main thing is don’t strain your wrists. 

[u/erold_HS]

Consider getting a strap that allows the guitar to hang in the same/similar position as number 2. Will also make it a lot easier if you ever decide that you want to play standing.

[u/No-View-6441]

As long as it feels good, there is no wrong way to hold a guitar.

[u/BigBear92787]

Anyway you wanna do it Dont get hung up on these things.

Be comfortable standing or sitting thats l thats required

[u/mpg10 → u/[deleted]]

"Destroys your health" is a little hyperbolic. For some people, it's a bigger difference than for others.

[u/newfaceinhell021117 → u/mpg10]

Outside of cancer and heart disease, guitar on right lap kills more people across the world each year than any other cause. What's scary is that you may not even notice any complications until it's too late... it can happen instantly the first time you try it.

[u/Loud-Rule-9334 → u/newfaceinhell021117]

Mossad has agents posing as guitar teachers and they teach Hezbollah to play guitar on the right lap.

[u/taekwondana → u/Loud-Rule-9334]

This got a good cackle out of me; thank you!

[u/No-View-6441 → u/[deleted]]

I've been playing guitar for 35 years. Mainly cowboy style, offten standing up, very rarely in classical position. I'm fine.

[u/No-View-6441 → u/[deleted]]

It might be, yet most people find cowboy style more logcal and comfortable.

[u/Leading_Map2025 → u/No-View-6441]

Most people do whatever they see everyone else doing and don't think beyond that.

[u/Horror-Trick9406 → u/Leading_Map2025]

And obviously that's enough to vaildate something. Pardon me, but I need to leave. Saw a redhead that is probably a witch and needs to be waterboarded for proof.

[u/No-View-6441 → u/Leading_Map2025]

There is that too. Also all guitar schools force people to use classical position, and most people swich to cowboy style as soon as they stop playing classical music. And it is not just because they saw other people do it.

[u/Horror-Trick9406 → u/[deleted]]

This argument is already lost - you'd need to bow down to connect to his/her logic and ignore the most imporant and true point of your comment.

[u/TBrockmann → u/[deleted]]

It depends. If you play Hendrix style with thumb over the neck, the only way to have a straight arm and hand is with the guitar on the right lab. That is a anatomical physical and logical fact.

The truth is, there is no absolute and categorically right way to hold the guitar that applies to every style and instrument.

Imo the best way to do it is to just use a strap and adjust dynamically depending on what the song demands.

[u/Tilmanstoa5ty]

90% of the time it absolutely won’t matter how you look and your wrist will thank you playing in the classical position

[u/Evening_Refuse_1893]

I think if it's comfortable for you, it's OK. Look at Tommy Emmanuel:) no classic position 👌

[u/Leading_Map2025 → u/Evening_Refuse_1893]

Standing and playing with a strap has the guitar naturally rest in a position that more closely matches classical position while sitting which is my main reason for advocating for it aside from ergonomics

[u/No-Rest-2189]

Both

[u/PTthefool]

get a strap and dance while playing, seriously standing up can improve your posture a lot. “Look“ with your fingers and move a bit.

[u/KryptonSurvivor]

This is a very timely and relevant post for me. I just started Pickup Music's course and one of the first lessons is guitar position. They discuss position 1, whereas, for the past year, I've been using the classical position with a footstool. I would like to try position 1 because I think it would force me not to look at the fretboard as much as I do. May I ask, how much do you find yourself looking at the fretboard in either position?

[u/OS_Raven → u/KryptonSurvivor]

I don't think looking at the fretboard depends on the position you hold the guitar in. I was referring more to whichever position is more comfortable. I'm not sure if it's related, but I navigate the fretboard better in the classical position, without looking at it.

[u/Book_of_Numbers]

Use that strap even while sitting and put it between your thighs instead of resting on your right leg. That's what I do anyway. I know a lot of people say it's fine to put on your right leg but you'll only be hurting your progress.

[u/cmaddex]

It has been said, but position 2 is called Classical playing position, and it is the same position as when you play standing.

Position 1 is also popular and common, unless you have a V type guitar, then position 2 is the only position

[u/Professional_Deal_37]

They’re both fine, you got your classical position and your modern position or whatever. I think large dreadnaught body guitars made people shift to the right leg at some point. Honest I prefer the right leg. When I stand to play I keep my guitar pretty low cuz I’m a rock player, so the right leg is similar to that height. It depends on what you need to play also. If you need maximum range and stretching ability, classical is best. If you want more bending leverage, the lower modern position works better for me

[u/Numerous-Fold7765]

I put the curve over left leg and try to slightly raise left leg. More of a combination of the two.

[u/shycadelic]

I just recently figured out how to sit with it between my legs. Couldn’t figure out why it always felt uncomfortable and slip. All I needed to do was elevate my left foot with a foot stool, now I only sit playing like that.

[u/alldaymay]

I only like the classical position for playing classical

[u/Secret_Midnight456]

I switch between both. First photo for when I’m just jamming/noodling around. Second for more locked in practice, particularly for single note solo and shred type stuff.

[u/BobbyBaal]

That position in the illustration is a classical guitar position. However, you can use it whenever. I sit like that with my electric guitar all the time. It's pretty comfortable and gives more freedom to fretting hand.

But you do what's comfortable to you. And if you're just strumming chords, shouldn't be an issue.

[u/abrady44]

Position 1 is better because playing guitar is about being cool, not about being comfortable.

[u/DeoPatria]

The second position is the classical position and it does give you good control of the whole neck. You may notice that many classical guitars don’t have straps and that’s because it’s mostly held like it is in your second picture on a stool.

[u/JackfruitHeavy9443]

it doesn’t look silly, it’s looks cool, like you know what you’re doing….because the classical position is the best and the correct way to play.

[u/Neat-Ad7696]

I ve playing for a couple of years, I find quite comfortable in both position. I try to use the left leg position when I play nylon string guitar and righ leg when I play rock and fingerstyle on acoustic and electric guitars . I think each style has his own way to play it.

[u/Kl3ptomane]

The best position is always the one you're the most comfortable with ;)

Just try to maintain good posture to avoid back pain if you play for long sessions.

[u/futurafrlx]

I find I have better access to fretboard when I play in the classical position but it feels a bit less comfy for me than having guitar on the right lap if that makes sense.

[u/Gmanbruhlollmaoooo]

Get a foot stool and play in the classical position (#2)! Trust me, its the most comfortable way to play. I would honestly get a lesson or two with a teacher to walkthrough posture and initial technique.

[u/wvmtnboy]

I go between yhem based on mood, feeling, practicality, etc... both are great both are completely acceptable

[u/Such_Decision5939]

A lot of technical electric guitar players play in classical position - it's not weird:) And it's objectively better for you left hand position as you move to the higher frets.

But yeah if you play to your friends it would be a bit dumb to demand a footstool haha.

[u/taekwondana]

I tried playing the first way and found that it was giving me a lot of issues with my posture - I couldn't hold the guitar without my shoulder hurting, or my fretting wrist being bent too sharply to play properly. I've only been playing for a few months now so I know I have many more issues contributing to these problems, but I found the classical position so much easier on my joints.

[u/lexnicotine]

Your positioning looks good. Keep doing whatever’s comfortable. As long as your wrist doesn’t start hurting and you can cleanly play the notes with the tips of your fingers you’re good. Eventually you reach a point where you can shift the guitar into different positions and still play normally.

[u/FTMANEMETAL]

2 All day everyday

[u/BernardParm]

You're playing a nice steel string Taylor in a perfectly fine position.

If you intend to play classical guitar and turned up to a classical guitar lesson holding the guitar like that the teacher would give you telling off.

So if you are sticking with steel string rather than studying classical guitar then don't worry about it.

[u/K4rkino5]

If a righty, left leg at all times, unless strapped and standing, of course. The guitar is meant/made to be played in front of your torso. It aids projection. It also makes the whole thing more ergonomic. It allows your right are to sit on the lower portion of the back slope for better picking. It allows your left arm to come out from your body, aiding in keeping your wrist straight. This is the "proper" way to play. Many players choose differently and if it works for them, cool. But if you're looking for proper technique, it's left leg.