Lesson: Basic Left Hand Position and Alignment Exercises

This is Exercise No.2 and 3 - Left Hand Position (Vertical /Horizontal)
→ 20 Favorite Exercises (TAB): www.thisisclassicalguitar.com...
→ Or my larger Classical Guitar Technique (Notation): www.thisisclassicalguitar.com...
→ Left Hand Position Lesson: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com...
→ Left Hand Tension and Relaxation Lesson: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com...
This exercise is No.2 and 3 from 20 Favorite Exercises for Classical Guitar - For Beginner to Intermediate Classical Guitarists. Great for crossover students or those looking for a quick boost. Notation & TAB, Video Lessons, Fingerings, Tips. 27 Pages, PDF Download.
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[@johnlay3040]

The LH position varies throughout playing. It depends on the demand of the piece. It is not just rigidly maintained as suggested here.

[@SuziFranks]

THANKYOU a beautifully delivered tutorial ( no going off at a tangent like so many )- followed right along - XXOOXX 🤗

[@omg_wtf]

Excellent lesson.

[@rproctor83]

Your videos and tutorials are so freaking helpful! Thank you! Showing close ups of positioning was a huge help I understanding the micro placement of things

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Happy to help!

[@adv.feroza.shaikh2316]

Thanks. Most precious tutorials. Regards.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad you like them!

[@woodyshade]

You are the best teacher. Why the finger should station next to the fret and not in the middle?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

When the finger is close to the fret it doesn't have to push hard to stop buzzing. The buzzing is often caused by the string bouncing on and off the fret so the closer you are the less it can bounce. Therefore, the less you have to push down.

[@AlkaRez]

I actually enjoy how the self check technique sounds. Makes my basic exercises more musical and also sometimes leads to getting lost in different combinations where I'm basically not even "exercising", I'm just musically exploring.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks, ya that is a useful one.

[@minor9439]

Thanks for your lessons they are really helpful

[@marcossislande]

This is really helpful. When playing the upper frets, can you demonstrate how your left arm is positioned? I'm not sure if I'm placing it wrongly, or if I need to work out more. I get tired and my arm gets heavy, which affects the quality of the sounds. Any tips? Thanks.

[@77ananias]

Hi. Some classical guitar Masters suggest not to play on the finger tips all the time mostly when playing scales because there is not an adjacent string vibrating .. but they suggest to play on the finger tips only ir there is an adjacent string vibrating. What do You think about?

[@MahatmaLevolence]

@This Is Classical Guitar Though this question seems unrelated somewhat, it is relevant in this context. I've been playing over three decades and have been converted to nylon acoustic for roughly five years because it just sounds so naturally musical. However, because i've never had a guitar lesson in my life it follows that i have no classical training whatsoever, and the piece Serenata Espanola presents me with a problem when it gets to the section with the G in the upper register. Because of the build of the acoustic guitar i don't know exactly where to position my thumb in order to execute this short passage cleanly, whenever i try it on my electric it's a breeze. How precisely should my left hand/thumb behave or be positioned when attempting to execute it on my nylon please? Thanks for the free lessons and any advice that might be forthcoming.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

When playing up past the 12th fret the thumb can really move down the neck toward the ground and even rest on the side of the body of the guitar if needed. It's kind of an "anything goes" area. That said, we try to keep as close to the normal position as possible so still playing on the fingertips and close to the fret with curved fingers.

[@MahatmaLevolence]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar Thanks. I think i need to work on some pre-positioning so pieces i play with upper register passages never stumble.

[@thoughtspiller]

Can you do a video of first position with hand position please I’m losing my mind lol. No what i do i can’t get my hand position right on the first 4 frets .. I can keep my technique right down towards the bottom of Guitar

[@inv8890]

Can we use this for the electric guitar as well? Please reply 🙏🏻

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes, but it depends on what you are doing. The concept is very important to know and to be able to do but depending on the style and specifics there are exceptions in electric because of the smaller neck size.

[@axoltl1]

Is the left-hand thumb supposed to be laid mostly flat against the neck, or is it okay to bend it so that the tip of the thumb-pad is in contact with the neck?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Unlike cello for example, we don't bend the thumb tip joint. It's generally flat and relaxed. Students sometimes squeeze too hard in the left hand but it should be nice and relaxed and only lightly touching.

[@a.g.7358]

Wouldn't it be better for left hand relaxation to have the thumb slightly (not completely, or you will have the opposite problem) pointing upwards? It seems to be a more natural position. And also when the thumb is behind the middle finger the hand tend to naturally over-extend. Let me know what you think, thank you.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, it differs slightly for people, but between the 2nd and 1st fingers is the textbook. But as always, personal adjustment is needed. It also has to do with weight distribution in the hand, dexterity, and clearance in terms of playing on one's fingertips. Plus, classical guitar is different than other instruments where the thumb might wrap around more.

[@SuperRichard1946]

How long is your little finger it looks as long as all the others. I’ve watched hundreds of these guitar tutorials and all the teachers have these lovely long slim fingers, think I’ll give up now. My fingers look like a pound of pork sausages.

[@guitarlessonsnow3431]

Check out Segovia’s fingers.

[@LUIZS87]

I feel like I still need to bend my wrist even with curved fingers :( my instructor doesn't say anything

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, remember that this is just a general guideline to get the right ideas into student's minds. Some bend might be necessary on occasion and a relaxed arch is natural to the wrist. However, keep the info in mind. Always trust your teacher, they know what's best for your individual and unique needs.