Is it normal that the guitar neck moves up and down when I’m strumming? It makes it really hard to change chords. Should I press the guitar to my body with the strumming hand?
I’m playing an electric guitar and per Justin’s lesson, I am balancing the neck with my strumming hand from the friction between my skin and the guitar, so naturally when I’m strumming, the guitar neck bounces up and down.
Hello Vahid,
Yes the guitar is generally supported by the right arm pressing inward toward your body.; so there shouldn’t really be any real movement of the neck as you describe.
Perhaps send a quick video to give us a bit of a better look at your setup.
Cheers, Shane
A well adjusted guitar strap is likely to be the answer. While your body can assist with stabilising the guitar, you run the risk of introducing tension or being sat in an uncomfortable position if not done carefully
Nice to meet you Vahid, and welcome to a great community, you are going to have some good advice from the members so enjoy your stay cheers HEC
Have you tried sitting on a proper chair, like a dining table chair ((without arms)? In the clip you’re sat on a sofa which is never ideal.
Your guitar is floating around in space. When I sit and play mine the top of the back rests lightly against my body and the inside of my right forearm rests lightly against the front of my guitar. In both cases I use the word “lightly” because the guitar is only really resting against me in those places, I’m not squeezing the guitar but my guitar only moves a fraction of the amount that your video shows - I don’t need to support the neck at all with my fretting hand
Hi Vahid, Justin’s How To Hold Your Guitar lesson might help, if you haven’t already seen it!
- A proper up-right chair with no arms. This will promote good posture.
- A strap adjusted so the guitar is just touching your thigh.
- Position your guitar neck a little above the horizontal so that the strap takes the weight.
- As an aside, you’ll find you can now stand up to play and keep the guitar in the same position.
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Sit more upright and try to get your guitar more vertical.
Get your elbow in front of the guitar - right now it is behind the guitar and pulling back too much.
Try wearing a long sleeve shirt to cover your forearm so that there is less friction between your arm and your guitar - eventually you won’t need to worry about this, but it could help at this stage.
Thank you everyone! Very helpful tips!