Right (picking) hand position on the electric guitar.

Hi friends. I’m Jason from www.levelsforguitar.com/ . I would like to share with you some of the content we have available to our members.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in trying to play the guitar that we forget to focus on the basics.
At "www.levelsforguitar.com" you will learn these 7 points and much more.
1. Flat picking, finger style, and strumming (rhythm) technique.
2. How to play scales
3. How to play chords
4. Music theory (how music works)
5. How to read music
6. How to play lead guitar in major and minor keys
7. How to organize your practice routine for maximum results

[@Benjamin-vx2ot]

this is pure gold for a beginner without any teacher, this may be basic but it looks like its suuuper important! Thanks for the content

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks for watching Ben!

[@erikis4l]

this is pure gold for someone who has played for 10 years and was self learning until he discoverd KZbin and found this video ;)

[@Benjamin-vx2ot]

a year passed, and its still the best advice 😊

[@zmogas2396]

my old teacher for accustic just told me to rest my wrist on the 6th string.. and I've been doing that for electric guitar as well 💀 I own a guitar for 5 years now

[@doncowie8653]

After 30+ years of playing this is the absolute best instructional video I have ever seen, very well done sir 🎸

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks for watching Don.

[@drdankmemes4827]

Thanks so much I've been playing electric for roughly 1 year and I've had my picking hand floating so that's probably why I couldn't play anything fast

[@jamalqassem148]

Very nice 👍 you have resolved a big Problem for me

[@ivycaii]

Such a wonderful lesson. I felt unnatural resting my elbow on the guitar and was trying to imitate the hand position of other guitarists on KZbin. This video is the only one that actually helped me improve. Thank you so much!

[@charleswalason8079]

This right here .

[@foreverpjfan4551]

I’ve been looking for this kind of detail on KZbin regarding hand placement and pick angle. These are great exercises to practice. Thank you so much!

[@MallikaBuddhavarapu]

The best video I’ve ever stumbled across …. Thank you for this ! 🙌🏻

[@abi95assasin]

Good teaching …necessary details and to the point… most teachers miss this part out

[@coachtd2163]

Nice simple technical and mechanical description and demonstration. Thanks.

[@Cyrus6354]

you just saves me a lot of time thx a lot

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching.

[@warmelon4672]

Best picking lesson video I've ever seen. Simple and detailed. Thanks for the work!

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks!

[@taichislippers]

Thanks for the content!!!!! Really helps me a lot to adjust my right hand position.

[@lorkhan610]

After watching hours over hours of videos for right hand placement this is the best I could find on KZbin! But the question I ask myself is still not answered: How to switch fast between palm mutes and normal picking (like shown in this video)? For palm mutes you have to move your hand in front of the bridge 1-2 cm, so to the left, up the neck. To pick without muting but still anchor your hand and not floating, you have to place your hand on the bridge, so move 1-2 cm back to the right. So if a guitarist plays e.g. 200 bpm 16. notes on the low e-string with palm mutes and normal picking switching, he would have to move his hand from "on the bridge" to "slightly in front of the bridge" in intense speed. But I never see guitarist to that. So what am I missing?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks for watching. The way you described is my method. It's a game of milometers. The slightest shift and pressure can make the difference between muted and non muted sounds. You have to find that sweet spot. Some players like to use another finger to anchor against the body of the guitar and pivot off of that. Either way works. Thanks again.

[@megasuperlexa2]

… and then there are chords strumming and rhythm playing . So anchoring doesn’t actually work on a pro level. Explanation here kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5-5dmOjrcRqjac

[@allenhill4578]

This is a great lesson. thanks

[@tiltMOD]

This video is such a gem for someone learning guitar on their own! Well done Sir!

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks Nojan!

[@yetenekoloji5340]

really helpful really. and thanks to the player

[@FlexBlur]

Ça m'a beaucoup aidé, notamment pour la paume sur le chevalet ("bridge"). Merci !

[@professorjake8369]

That was excellent Jason, thank you.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thank you Professor.

[@bulleta.k.a9135]

For year's my progress regressed because I had so much pain playing fast riffs and I'm sure it's down to my arm angle thanks for this video 😊

[@JakeSavich]

Really awesome video

[@johnnga4496]

Thank you very much for your help you are amazing

[@errriss]

Great lesson

[@isolateddemon9438]

GREAT STUFF😀

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Hi friends. I'm updating all of my older videos with a newer camera. Here is the updated version of this video in 4k60! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gorOZJhpZsaji9E

[@maxa3221]

i can't believe how over looked this is. Thanks so much, was really struggling with alternate picking, particularly as a big guy with long arms and hands. Awesome.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Glad to help. Thanks for watching Max.

[@GotYourWallet]

Same! I tried anchoring to the bridge from some other video and immediately got tense shoulders. Sliding along the bridge feels more natural.

[@ap8819]

omg thank you so much for this

[@lee-fj5cc]

u just saved my life

[@piotrkozka9151]

Helpful stuff

[@adriankovacs4133]

Thank you!

[@alienac5433]

Amazing!!

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks!!

[@surajpandey8140]

Superb execution..!!

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Thanks!

[@opendoor9796]

Thank you

[@thugitz1990]

thank you

[@andg_rodg_4_real710]

I play electric guitar and this hand position always makes me hit the volume knob by accident

[@Bimbomable]

I do that too, but not on the Les Paul. The strat gives me a headache.

[@AlfarAwayMusic]

Salamat! 💕👌

[@idaxius_]

technically there's no wrong way to hold a pick, it's however your comfortable, but generally this is definitely the default resting position determined by majority guitarists

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Yep. I've seen a million different methods of holding a pick. Some standard. Some homegrown. Some just plain weird. I can't harp on those exotic methods as they included fantastic performers. My style blends traditional classical alignment with flat picking. It works.

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

Thanks I'm learning on an acoustic but decided to get an electric(Les Paul classic) . It feels very different holding it and your instruction helped

[@pica6sedg]

WoW!!

[@glenwchiswell6013]

Love your method.. I’ve been playing for 49 years and have never been shown how to hold pick,palm.. super struggling with what you are saying.. how much for a 1/2 FaceTime to look at my technique ..? Cheers

[@amielbautista8336]

When I'm picking the high e my hand touches the volume knob what should i do?

[@kcnsoedo2354]

So with the wrist placement for electric guitar you need to keep your palm rested on the bridge or can you just hover over it? When resting my palm on the bridge doing the pic exercise when I get to E and A string my palm get caught on the string, is it because of bad wrist placement? Good videos as always ❤

[@timothyrejano6797]

Hi! Any tip for someone new to electric guitar. Cause when I rest my palm in yhe bridge like in your video, i can feel some discomfort on my shoulder. It’s relieved when i make a floating hand technique much like in an acoustic guitar. Is this a positional error or is this something that will resolve as I continue practicing it? Thank you and awesome video

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Hi Timothy. I see players pick with a floating hand with success. With the electric guitar, having the ability to control noise is important especially whenever you are using higher gain settings on an amp or pedal. Keeping the palm on the bridge for picking allows for noise control techniques like palm muting. You might be applying too much pressure against the bridge. This can cause tension in the elbow and shoulder. For strumming it's ok to float the hand.

[@ajayaharoan3887]

Hi Levels for guitar ! Thanks for the video. I face the same issue. I am sure that I don't apply pressure. My shoulder hurts when I hold the position on the low E string. Also my palm doesn't touch the bridge. However from A string it is fine.

[@pickitupdope]

@@ajayaharoan3887 how you doing now

[@Daveaaaaa]

@@ajayaharoan3887 I agree. My shoulder blades tighten up when resting against bridge. I can keep shoulder blade down and relaxed with floating hands

[@Jcraft174]

For those of you who are feeling discomfort when resting your hand near the bridge, I suggest you to straighten up your back and maintain a 45 degree angle on your arms and relax your shoulders. If there is still discomfort, maybe playing with a strap while standing can fix the problem. Just lengthen/shorten the strap til your arms/shoulders feel comfortable.

[@ldblokland463]

having issues with accidentally muting the lowest 2 strings. any idea what I'm doing wrong?

[@DaneRates]

Clarify the area size and the angle the guitarist travels when playing high to low, low to high . Is it straight up and down or at a 45 degree angle? Forward Or Backwards Tavel?

[@jacobkartes1036]

I'm wondering about your thoughts on playing a guitar with a tremolo bar. I like having the bar but have noticed recently that I sometimes pull notes sharp wresting my palm too firmly on the bridge.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

I've never used the tremolo bar in my playing. You only need enough pressure to provide stability for pivoting while picking. I agree that the bar can get in the way....which is why I prefer not to use it. If I were playing Via type styles then a slight adjustment would be needed, but not to drastic. It can be done.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

I forgot to mention with or without the bar, if you are on a suspension bridge too much pressure can cause tuning issues. Try using lighter pressure.

[@user-hh8pe2bn8h]

For death metal and metal are u suppose to squeeze the pick tight or lightly wen picking

[@LevelsForGuitar]

I try to use as light as needed to maintain stability in the arc. Too light and you might get hung on the strings. For you a heavy gage pick and a somewhat firm grip....if you feel strain in your wrist or elbow it could mean you are gripping too hard. Imagine flexing your entire body while running vs relaxing. Olympic sprinters are taught to relax every muscle possible for speed. Hope this helps.

[@aaaaaaaaaaaaabbbb]

hey, i have a question. i struggle moving up n down the bridge because there’s resistance between my hand and the bridge so i get stuck when moving between strings. how do i counter this?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

HI. I could be that you are pressing too hard against the bridge. Lighten it up a little and see how that works. Thanks for watching.

[@But_WhatIf]

If I place my arm in a diagonal like you hold the pick right and place my hand with the palm on the brige like yours my pick is parallel to the strings, any Idea what I could be doing wrong? Or is it just my anatomy?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

You could be bending your thumb backwards. Notice how my thumb is straight. From the top of the forearm to the tip of the thumb is a straight line. Some guitar players like to bend their thumb back. For my students the straight thumb works well since it is a more relaxed position. I have videos on how to hold the guitar and right hand position. Your issue could have something to do with alignment of your body and arm to the guitar. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@amins6695]

Is your right hand touching the string that you are picking? If no, how do you do that?

[@kcnsoedo2354]

Also when practicing as someone who is just starting out should you just focus on one thing at a time i until you mastered it or should try to juggle lessons together?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Break your practice into 5 parts. 1) Picking exercises. 2) Strumming exercises 3) Scales 4) Chords/Songs 5) Theory.

[@kcnsoedo2354]

@@LevelsForGuitar thank you for the reply I started doing 1 and 3 I’m still not consistent with the scales do you have a video on strumming exercises. With chords is it ok to hold off on it until I’m good with the first 3?

[@sanyuktashrestha7753]

When i try to do the exact same thing my elbow feels uneasy Am i doing anything wrong?

[@anishpataskar1253]

do i hold the pick very firmly or fairly loose or completely lose

[@LevelsForGuitar]

As loose as possible without dropping the pick. If the pick gives too much and sticks to the string you are either too loose or need to play near the tip of the pick. Thanks for watching.

[@AdamariMedia]

I'm having trouble not bending my wrist, I feel that when I attempt this position the guitar neck points down and it feels more uncomfortable.

[@keithwellerlounge74]

Same, my guitar is just flopping about.

[@zionred]

should the side of your right thumb be touching the strings at all when picking? I never hear anyone talking about this.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Yes, I am making contact with the adjacent strings. This is helpful in controlling noise and providing stability in the picking hand. Thanks for watching.

[@MrScrott]

Would this be any different if you have an unconventional shaped guitar? I have an explorer and sometimes placing my picking hand on the bridge feels unnatural. Maybe i am holding the Guitar too low?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

This should work with your guitar but there are other options. Check out this link. Here I am floating the hand for picking on the acoustic guitar. You can try this on the electric. Down the road palm muting will be important to you and keeping the heel of your palm on the bridge will aid in this. Hope this helps and thanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/opmsfqqOfd2ch6c

[@MrScrott]

Thanks. I will check it out!

[@pulidomi]

1:43 this is paul gilbert destroyer

[@blindspy]

holy fuck i was using my pinky as a pivot point beneath the bridge and after a night of playing felt like it was going to fall off also how does this work with floating tremelos? my palm is rubbing that when i use this technique...

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Howdy. Actually using the pinky to stabilize the picking hand is a technique used by great players. I would practice both methods. With floating tremolos use light pressure if the tuning becomes an issue. Thanks for watching!

[@blindspy]

@@LevelsForGuitar thanks for the advice, i've played on and off for years with no formal training, good to finally get the basics

[@keithwellerlounge74]

How are you holding the guitar in place though?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Hi Jordie. I have 3 YT videos on how to hold the guitar. There you will find your answer. Thanks.

[@emi.1735]

I just can't keep my wrist straight on the lower strings without shrugging my shoulder. What should I do?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

1. Try lowering the position of the guitar if you feel it is resting to high on your body. 2. The angle of your forearm from corner to corner should be about 45 degrees. If you are in the 70 to 90 degree range it could cause your shoulder to shrug. 3. Check your neck angle to make sure it is angled like I have mine in the video. 4. You can achieve a greater neck angle by sitting Classical Guitar style using a footstool. Hope this helps.

[@emi.1735]

@@LevelsForGuitar thanks for the reply! Is there any social or something like that where I can send you a video, maybe rate my tehnique, if you want to.

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

How can you play near the bridge without keeping the volume knob moving? The volume knob gets in the way!!!!

[@Bimbomable]

As does the tremolo bar on a strat, which is why I try to avoid contact with it and move my hand away from the bridge towards the neck pickup and that's when I'm in trouble again. With a Les Paul and an ES-335 I don't have this issue.

[@mixstz5284]

I am constantly muting the strings and it feels very uncomfortable. Can you please help.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Hi. You may want to move the hand back a little to avoid muting the strings. Too much pressure against the bridge can cause issues as well. Good seating position helps so check out my video on how to hold the electric guitar. Thanks for watching.

[@mixstz5284]

@@LevelsForGuitar this helped a lot, thanks

[@mixstz5284]

@@LevelsForGuitar I was holding the neck too low and my hand was to high up on the bridge. It feels so much better now.

[@theaveragejoebody]

What about a guitar with the Floyd Rose?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Shouldn't be a problem if you keep the heel of your palm positioned about where the strings meet the bridge.

[@theaveragejoebody]

@Levels For Guitar I tried it and Holy crap my right hand was finally consistent. I barely touched it but it was the perfect guide. Thank you

[@sampilsbury9415]

Wouldn’t resting your hand on a floating Strat bridge push it out of tune?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Hi, It will if you press to hard. Use finesse.

[@sampilsbury9415]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve actually been trying to wean myself off resting my palm on bridge because when I tested it in a shop with a tuner it does seem to go out a bit and I don’t like having to worry I might push it out even slightly. Also the jazz master you can do the same thing though it seems to take more pressure on that model. Also I find the volume pot gets in the way of my pinky finger when resting palm on bridge on a Strat. I have a telecaster where the palm resting feels really nice on the six saddle bridge. I do feel more secure when resting on bridge though. Not sure if I’m actually more accurate but it gives me more confidence. Not sure whether to give up resting on bridge and pursue floating my hand with pinky resting on pick guard, or keep resting palm on bridge? Both have pros and cons it seems.

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Try practicing both methods. Each have their own advantage. I find my beginner students respond well to the plant on electric. It gives them a pivot point for stability. Acoustic players get a better tone near the sound hole so floating the hand works better in that situation. Great players employ a variety of techniques. Thanks.

[@sampilsbury9415]

@@LevelsForGuitar thank you so much for taking the time to reply. You have a sub from me!

[@kathydove3148]

No

[@quanjames]

Imagine watching this video even you don't have a guitar ( that's me)

[@Iceythunderswag]

5:51

[@howalk1505]

Dam so i cant practice the way we place hand in electric in acoustic?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Actually you can for special effects like palm muting on the acoustic. These are general guidelines for dead beginners.

[@howalk1505]

@@LevelsForGuitar but for string muting i cant?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

@@howalk1505 Both ways work for palm and string muting. These techniques are the last thing on a beginners mind as they struggle learning basic techniques. One a beginners gets accustomed to the basics, palm and string muting techniques can be experimented with as they expand their abilities.

[@tpopa81]

all i was doing it's exactly what not to do in this vid lol

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Hopefully this is a good thing.

[@generalrodcocker1018]

as a fast player, I never anchor my palm on the bridge. Never!

[@andystockdale8645]

i've been a fat bag of shit my entire life and i've never been able to play with the guitar on my right leg like that. i have short fingers and fat palms so all the "correct" positions and picking techniques don't seem to work. i've been playing for almost 20 years and i'm so shit that it's a wonder i haven't smashed the guitar into my own face but i just don't have it in me to give it up. any other fatties have similar issues?

[@LevelsForGuitar]

Don't be so hard on yourself Andy. You should check out some Jonny Highland videos. I would suggest you use a strap like him.

[@GotYourWallet]

You can also check out Kingfish. His palms are quite big as well and he's great!

[@andystockdale8645]

@@LevelsForGuitar i always use a strap. maybe i just need a better one, or a less neck-heavy guitar!. Hiland is a crazy-talented player and i respect the hell out of that, but it's just not my genre

[@andystockdale8645]

@@GotYourWallet hell of a player especially for how young he is but blues isn't really my thing. give me a guy the size of the guitarist from bowling for soup playing Gojira and Opeth riffs lol

[@bigmarkdarula]

God created not nature given brains

[@LevelsForGuitar]

I agree. It's just a figure of speech I use from time to time. Ergonomics.

[@bigmarkdarula]

@@LevelsForGuitar Thank you sir, sorry for the harshness on my part I appreciated the video - it helped me quite a bit