Lesson: Right Hand Position & Technique for Classical Guitar
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- A lesson on how to position your right hand for Classical Guitar.
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A free video lesson on right hand position and technique for classical guitar. Learn how to hold the right hand on classical guitar with this video but also the high res photos.
Tips:
Right arm touches the guitar just in front of the elbow
Right wrist is straight and has a relaxed arch
Right hand plays above the rosette
Right hand fingers move into the palm, not up and away
Right hand thumb is in front of the fingers
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Superb!
Very clear and with lots of emphasis and repetition on vital points. Thank you.
Brilliant teacher!
You're a remarkable teacher and a generous person, thank you for helping so many people. I appreciate you!
Glad I could help!
oh man...i'm 57 ...i need the Basics Just Like this ...Thanks so very much for posting this and Congratulations on this Fab Vedeo !! 100% Great Job !!
Thank you so much for the over the shoulder view. Many instructors have shown close-ups but not like this. Coming from plectrum-centric electric playing to classical has been challenging and this is exactly what I needed to see!
I keep coming back to these basic videos even though I'm intermediate. I always find something not right with my fundamentals.
Good to hear.
We are in the same page
Agreed.. I just started playing with nails and this has been invaluable to me for getting my technique correct. I had fallen in the habit of almost resting my palm on the guitar top.
What a wonderful and important lesson. Thank you :)
I'd been trying to get to a correct guitar playing position ever since I began to play guitar until I came across you on youtube. You have a very good style of teaching which make the subject easy to understand. I'll be following your other lessons. Thank you very much for sharing your great skills.
Many regards
Thank you so much! I'm starting to learn classical guitar on my own and it was so hard to find a clear video on right hand technique that explains why.. but this makes a lot of sense. I just really didn't want to learn the wrong way and end up hurting myself or having to unlearn something
Glad you found it useful!
Great! For me until now the best tutorial I´ve seen about the right hand position!
Super helpful and extremely thorough. Thank you
Wow! Thank you so much for uploading this video. It is thorough, easy to understand, and ideal for all learners. The student view towards the end was the best part. Thank you for showing the technique from that perspective. I play a steel string but I prefer to learn classical techniques to aid me when finger picking.
A) your amazing. B) You totally remind me of the star of Ant Man.
A) "you're" and B) Paul Rudd
For some reason that picking technique "towards the palm" seems elusive to me. My right hand fingers tend to go outward instead.
I teach and this is a VERY common problem with finger picking. Just give up on being cool, put the guitar on the left leg, and aim it high. ;) Look like a square and succeed! I notice a lot of it starts with where the forearm is placed on the guitar (or not placed). Adjust that angle. You are not 'pulling' the string up from the bottom, but you should be "pushing" the string at an angle towards your palm. Practice closing all 4 fingers (not thumb) at the same time as if you are making a fist. That's the sensation, control, and strength you want. From the joint way up at the top of the hand, not some flimsy first knuckle attack.
Part of what makes you a good teacher is the fact that your "bad" examples are hilarious. I keep laughing 8D
Thank you so much, that was really helpful. The view from above was particularly useful
Hello teacher, thanks for another great class!! I had read your article before watching the video and it really is very complete! 👏
Congratulations on all the work done on your website, it is really of great quality and care!! I really liked this class, I am always paying attention to all your observations and making constant adjustments, remembering your teachings. Today I started printing your book! (volume 1). I'm following the videos you left there in the form of a list.
I haven't started practicing with your book yet. I intend to start. For now I'm practically doing other exercises for beginners too...
One thing I would like to ask you... I saw that you have several books, with progressive learning, correct? Is your method more or less similar to what students learn when they study at the music conservatory? Or have you adapted the teachings for those who want to practice as a hobby?
I was quite curious.
Until later! Gratitude
Do you have the best lessons online thank you so much! I’ve looked at several others and they were just too confusing. Thank you for being a good teacher.
Very nice, detailed presentation. Using different camera angles and positions really helps to get your information across. Thanks! (It looks like you use your fingernails for strumming and picking.)
Wow thanks for the video I’m 55 just started playing
very clear demonstration! Thank you!
Just have a look at John Williams' right hand. It's the gold standard and leaves your technique in the dust though yours is not too bad. Your arch could be greater and the knuckles should be parallel to the strings.
I watched videos of Williams when I was learning and practised it in front of a mirror religiously. Served me well. Still serves me well.
Awesome teacher!! Very knowledgeable, appreciate your obvious concern that your students progress and the best way to accomplish some success each week!
Thanks for this and other videos. I wonder if you could discuss 'anchoring.' I like to put my ring-finger/right hand on the guitar top, because I Travis-picked for so many years. It gives me more power when I play, I think. But I"m new to CG and everybody keeps saying you should NEVER have your ring-finger anchoring on the top. I do us A (PIMA) when appropriate, depending on the song. But sometimes, I like to really have that power that comes from grounding my hand on the top. I'd like to hear your comments on this. Thanks!!!
Very well presented. Too often instructional books and videos don't take the time and effort to go over all the tiny details. I've played around with finger picking techniques a little, but you showed me where and why I was facing obstacles. Many thanks!
Now this is the difference between a sole player and a teacher. You are the best!
Thanks so much!
Muchísimas gracias por darnos todos los detalles al enseñarnos, eres él mejor maestro de la guitarra clásica.
Thank you so much!!! I was having a lot of trouble with my right hand technique. My thumb was parallel to the strings and I was not able to play the bass notes properly. The position was possibly a result of watching TH-cam videos with a view from the front of the player. Your camera angle looking from the point of view of the player made me realize my mistake. Very useful!!!! Thanks again!!!
Glad it helped!
If play many notes in one string then should I used one finger or two finger alternately on that string?....Plz reply.
Tengo que poner los subtítulos para poder entender las lecciones pero que excelente manera de enseñar.
this is a good video i leand a lot !, i still got a problem with my a finger if i play an Arpeggios ima with cords my a finger miss the string often when i got my attention on the cords shift but also in general do you have any advice or thought for that thank you in advance
Hendrix played the guitar behind his head. Is that an ok guitar position?
Are the recommendation the same for steel string guitar? If I play finger style instead of strumming.
I think there is much to learn from classical guitar but you should research steel-string technique and guitar positions as well. I think that classical guitar technique is more developed but steel-string players have more variety and exceptions to any rules.
Thank you for this! I'm self-taught since I was 11 and am now trying to get rid of the old pinky anchor at the young age of 62 :) I do have a question: do you find your forearm moving across the edge when you do a chromatic scale on all 6 strings, or does it stay in place because you swing your arm in an arc? I hope that makes sense. I'm also having trouble not allowing that forearm contact point to act as a fulcrum and have my hand bounce up and down when I pick faster. The old cause and effect taking place without my pinky anchor.
A small amount of movement is ok as well as a pivoting fulcrum but keep it super subtle. I mean, pretty much just static but without a strictness to it. The more important thing is to keep your right hand position and shoulders and arms correct and relaxed.
Bro, you look like paul rudd and sound like john mulaney. nicely eplained video too
Thank you soo much. Been playing classical guitar for years and give a lot of exams but i missed a lot of these important tips which has brought down my growth. Thank you again.
what a hardcore action hahaha just kidding, awesome video
What about turning the forearm to obtain better tone. So the nails strike at a softer angle with the finger and nail?
Excellent, T hank y ou, I. Really no eeded this video,
you're the best teacher. period.
What is this little rubber(or some other material) line under your forearm? Ive seen it in Marcins asturias video as well and want myself one as well. I am now struggling with forrarm pain while playing, buying strap and support under guitar but also this thing is indeed in my wishlist. What is this called?
Are you talking about the armrest on my guitar? See this artcle: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/armrests-for-classical-guitar/
Awesome video
Finaly a video that shows how the basics shoud be preformed. Thanks you and I will be watching.
Glad it was helpful!
Question: is it okay if the right hand pinky sticks out a bit? I've suffered injuries to my hand over the years and my pinky never wants to conform, even when totally relaxed.
In general you don't want it to point out and it's usually a sign of tension but everyone is different so specifically if it's connected to an injury don't worry about it but still keep an eye on it for tension in the future.
Do you offer what fingers play (PIMA/position) major and minor scales?
If you're looking for technique advice, I have a few method books but I also have a full technique book. Check it all out here: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/sheet-music-for-classical-guitar/
Most helpful lesson. Thank
You!
any ideas as to why when i strike the string with my m finger, the string kind of gets stuck under my nail for a split second. I feel like it slows me down
Maybe you need to play at more of an angle across the strings? More parallel rather than perpendicular.
Is there a proper technique to the actual plucking in relation to active finger joints? I have heard that there is some relationship between flexing the last two joints and flexing the very small tender muscles above the elbow (top corner forearm area) ultimately resulting in ring finger crippling and malformation?
In other words ought one only pivot the fingers from the top knuckle?-thus keeping all the other joints loose and limp?
That was very helpful thanks
I’m trying to play with a regular guitar is it ok to hold my guitar flat instead of at 45degrees
It totally depends on what your goals are. If you want to learn classical guitar technique you'll want a classical guitar and to sit int he way I described. It won't work quite right with a steel-string so you can still the steel-string position or use a strap to accomplish the idea.
Hello, thank you for your video.
How to explain that Tarrega and his successors advised to twist the right wrist? See the picture of Tarrega p.76 of Escuela razonada de la guitara, E. Pujol. Also, the fact that there are still guitar players using this wrist position calls for a further discussion on this point. But this is out of the video's intention, which is intended to beginners, I understand.
Modern players and ergonomics have done away with the bent/twisted wrist, it's just an older style. If you follow the pros I post on my site you'll notice that pretty much nobody plays like that anymore. I'm not criticizing it but you just don't see it anymore because it's not a healthy or efficient way to play.
@@Thisisclassicalguitar Thank you for the reply.
Tfw you're naturally disadvantaged at guitar because you have stubby thumbs..
Hello there, great video!
I have 2 questions to ask if I may. 1, you know how the fingers are angled slightly towards each other. How do I keep them from not going into each other when plucking the strings? Refering to the i m a fingers on RH.
2, is the ring finger supposed to be able to move completely independent? When I move it I also move my middle finger.
Thanks
1. When we play it the fingers should into the palm as when making a fist. They might touch when playing chords but that is okay. It's a long process, many technique books such as mine have right hand expansion exercises to help but don't worry about it too much.
2. Finger independence takes a long time too, there can be some movement but you do want to work on gaining control of each individual finger.
@@Thisisclassicalguitar Hello. Thanks for the answer, sorry it took a while for me to respond.
1: Let's say I play a string with my i finger, and it goes into the palm. Then I play a string with my m finger, and it goes into the palm but it lands slightly on top of the i finger. Then when I want to bring my i finger back to play again, the m finger is blocking the way back. It's really frustrating when I try to play fast, and it doesn't seem like anyone is discussing this on the internet, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I use a thumb pick..is that okay ?
Very clear and good demonstration!
Best videoI have seen on this subject as it shows how things should look from the player’s perspective, not an observers.
what’s that thing on the back top of your guitar called?
Where my right arm rests on the guitar? That is an armrest: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/armrests-for-classical-guitar/
You're perfect.Thank you so much
I'm perfect! Excellent, finally I can rest!
Very useful. Thank you.
probably the most important lesson in classical guitar
Agreed!
thank you brad. good to go back and review to keep from bad habits for us beginners. you are meticulous in your lessons. grand!
Best lessons to understand the basics of basic, many teach you basics of playing classical guitar, but these lessons are really basics of those basics.
Yah the bad hand technique is supposed to cause tension and pain so that you remember that is what you are expressing, I just told you what Segovia would not..
thx man, this helps me heaps.
When I do restrokes and play with the middle finger, my wrist naturally arches more is that okay?
Well, you generally want your hand position to stay the same regardless of stroke but a slight difference is not the end of the world!
@@Thisisclassicalguitar okay. Weird my classical guitar instructor has taught me to arch my wrist more and turn it toward the fretboard like I'm turning a door knob. But when I watch videos like this, I see your wrists are completely straight
Excellent video! I'm sending a lot of my students to check out your stuff as a supplemental teaching tool!
Awesome! Thank you!
@@Thisisclassicalguitar you do private lessons? I'd love to do a couple with ya to revisit my classical chops and technique. I dont wanna stray too far when hitting all the folk/blues stuff. We should consider doing a joint video! Maybe the do's and dont's of cross over playing? ;)
@@MikesMusicMethod I'm full at the moment but I'll be accepting new students in the fall, I'll announce it on my newsletter: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/email-newsletter/
Can you do theory lessons and a plan for teaching us as on an academic level , thanks
I do plan to build a theory section for the site as well once I complete a few more books to get students to the intermediate level.
@@Thisisclassicalguitar
This is great , thanks
Would you please help me with immigration , if possible?
Do you use Low or hard tension strings???
I use hard tension trebles and normal tension bass strings. Mix and match!
02:00
I've purchased many of your lesson books. You're and excellent teacher. I've been playing classical guitar off and on for some time. I have such great difficult control my left hand 4th finer, especial when play the bass 6th string G and 2nd string D at the same time. Many of your music scores have this combination. I just have such difficulty positioning those two fingers at the right time and place. Any suggestions?
Well, it is probably a combination of issues ranging from guitar position, hand positions, technique skill and more. Small tiny adjustments to each element can make a huge difference. Maybe check out this video: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lesson-left-hand-stretches-on-guitar/
Thank you for the video. My thumb keeps wanting to move up every time a play a higher note with my other fingers for some reason. I noticed your thumb stays exactly in the same place? Any idea what's causing this?
Could be an overall guitar position issue, you want to reflex back into the proper place. That said, it depends on your level. Very slow technique warm-ups are a good idea. My technique book has 100 open string exercises but you can make your own or turn the Giuliani 120 arpeggios into open exercises quite easily.
Hi! At 12:40, you recommend to play with a slight angle. I do really like to play like this, because I feel it's quite confortable. It makes me "hit" the strings with the left side of my nails (with release to the right side) However, my guitar teacher would like me to try to be more perpendicular to the string in order to produce a better tone, more in a "Segovia" way of playing (trying to hit the strings with the right side of the nails and release with the left side). I try to put this in practice, but I find it quite hard. What's on your take on the subject or guidance? Thanks a lot for your help!
My first piece of advice is to always listen to your teacher, you want to gain all the experience and insights they have even if you don't use it forever. While studying with them you should absorb their approach. That said, this is not how I do my nails, I contact on the left side of the nail and release on the right. Check out my fingernail article here: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/fingernails-on-classical-guitar/
Thanks!
Many thanks.
I am following all your videos.
I have the free book one and will buy the rest.
You are excellent value for money as others are asking big sums to learn.
You keep it manageable and are very encouraging to us who cannot afford teachers but strive to learn it properly.
With the book one I take it all right hand picking is without the " rest stroke"? Picardo?
Thank you again for your excellent tutorials.
Pete
Yes, I primarily start my students with free-stroke at first but I've seen good results from both from other teachers. I usually aim to get their hand positions working and relaxed and then introduce rest-stroke during Volume 2.
What a fantastic video! Thought I was playing ok, but never watched the video on proper sitting and holding guitar. Last night I viewed that video, tried to absorb your instruction, and tonight watched this "right hand" video.
Wow! I took in-person lessons almost two years ago for a couple of months, but was not thrilled when instructor asked me what I wanted to learn. I really enjoy your structure (I'm nearing completion of Book 2 materials). My in-person teacher never questioned or corrected my posture or right hand position. "Left hand" video tomorrow night!
You are providing a superb service to players. I've bought five of your books so far, and hope to support you by contributing to your channel (after holiday presents are purchased ;) )!
Thanks so much, glad you are find it useful.
You are such a great teacher! Thank you for the details.
I need exercise : how can i find the strings in right hand without see the strings ? Thanks
Thanks for the video!
Glad it was helpful.
I'm a composer relatively new to writing for classical guitar: I take "knowing" the instrument very seriously and this channel has been so helpful in my research. Thank you.
Have you checked out Josel and Tsao? It' perfect for composers: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/review-the-techniques-of-guitar-playing-josel/
Thank you so much for your lessons!
I just started practicing using the method book and noticed my left hand finger will not go i m i m, sometimes I'd just go double i or random with instinct. I wonder if it matters? Or it's best to use practice using alternate finger picking? Thanks again for your lesson
Try to always alternate the fingers in the right hand. Think of it like walking, left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. It's not efficient to step twice with one leg.
This is definitely helpful
Glad it was helpful!
I'm sorry, but i have a few comments about this: i'm fine with a lot of things, you're talking about but your comments about the angle of the right hand are not very helpful for any guitar player. The notion, that "some older players" used to do this, bescause they didn't understand ergonomics is abslutely crazy. Firstly, you're talking about players like Llobet, Tarrega, Segovia, Parkening, Bream - the absolute best of the best when it comes to sound. They all play with an angled right hand, because they want to play with the left part of the nail and play towards the soft part of the string. You can argue about ergonomis as much as you like, but there is really no argument, to claim , that a player like Segovia didn't have absolutely superior sound. Here's John Mills talking about it th-cam.com/video/hzAnV3Q6QMY/w-d-xo.html and please, watch any video of Segovia, Bream or other Sound Gods - they ALL play with the angled right hand - never put ergonomics over sound!
yes, man ... yt masters condescending tone over the classics is at least grotesque ...
Thanks for the video! I got lessons from a Segovia student a long time ago and so was my right hand position, now working on correcting.
Glad it was helpful!
A question. I noticed that I press the guitar with the right arm helping the left hand to press easier the strings. Is it ok? I found out that this adds movements to the guitar.
You should try to not push down with the right arm. The weight of the arm through gravity is fine but do not push or hug the guitar tightly.
Do you do Skype lessons? I live a bit in the middle of nowhere and would love to pay for some lessons from you. Thank you for all the great videos.
Thanks. At this time I'm full for teaching but maybe one day in the future. If you follow my newsletter I'll make announcements: eepurl.com/hGOak
A little question: the thumb rest on the 6th string or on the string just over the string we are playing? Thanks a lot for your answer.
It might be wise to rest it on the 6th string at first just to "open up the hand" but it maybe doesn't matter as much down the road.
I have no nails, tho
That's ok, you can play without them and introduce later if needed/wanted.
Was very helpful.
Not sure if you still respond to comments on this channel, but I was wondering if it's ok to play with your right hand over the bottom of the neck/fretboard. I've been playing guitar for a while and I've picked up the habit of doing that when I do fingerpicking, but I wanted to know if that would translate well to learning classical guitar.
That would be considered very tasto (near the fingerboard, warm sounding). As a loose guide, people generally play around the rosette or early soundhole. It more depends on 'why' you are doing it rather than 'should' you. You might want to review your sitting position...
Thank you very much for the advice! Will do (I've watched the sitting position and etc. videos as well so I'll give it another go to make sure I'm doing everything correctly).
Hi, @3:49 right arm position another teacher on TH-cam says to prevent future nerve damage the right forearm should lie flat on the guitar lower bout.
Re: Elite Guitarist - Contraversal Right Hand placement.
Flat? Controversial ? No...That's just plain stupid. Watch any concert guitarist on Utube or any amateur for that matter. Nobody has a forearm flat on the bout. If you put your forearm flat on the bout the arm sticks straight out.
For a great right hand tutorial watch Thu Le. th-cam.com/video/8ScVSLufBQM/w-d-xo.html
I'd be careful about that one. If you watch a large cross section of high quality pros you'll see a general position that is pretty similar. Here's the video category on my site: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/category/video/
@@Thisisclassicalguitar OK then. Perhaps you can elucidate what is meant by..."forearm should lie flat on the lower bout" Does that mean flat on the soundboard? Flat on the guitar side above the lower bout? Does one press and force the forearm onto the soundboard? How much of the forearm is against the soundboard by the lower bout? It looks to me like the forearm rests on the edge of the binding directly over the bout.
Great lesson, thanks!
A brilliant lesson, so helpful, thank you
Glad it was helpful!
Exception: eric franceries and thibaut garcia
Well, everyone would be an exception if we looked closely but as a general guideline for starting out maybe this would work.
A very detailed and good demonstration.
many thanks
Great help video!!
Very helpful. Thank you
thx man
great video
do I change my right hand position for rest strokes
No, in general you should the same hand position for both. If you right hand is elevated enough this should not be a problem. Play lightly at first so tension doesn't come too much into the equation.