My doubt is same, and was trying to go this link but unable to find the clarifications regarding the holding angles. Can you kindly check and share the exact place where you are discussing this @Richard_close2u
7 posts were split to a new topic: What acoustic (nylon or steel string) for 12-year-old beginner?
Iām having an issue that when I try to hold the (electric) guitar with my arm, the neck keeps sliding forward, and forces me to have to hold it with my left hand. The only way I can hold the guitar with my arm is by putting it more on top, but then my right hand canāt reach the strings! So what to do about that?
1 Like
Are you using a guitar strap? If not, buy one, but make sure itās made from some non slip material (raw cotton, leather) and is wide enough. Donāt go for the cheap synthetic ones.
2 Likes
Hi Raphael, welcome to the community. Be sure than your sleeve is pushed or rolled up so that the arm is directly touching the guitar. Also your forearm should be touching near the top of the body of the guitar and the arm and hand should rest diagonally across the front of the guitar so that the pick will hit the strings at a 45 degree angle
Sorry for too much detail but all of these tips can be found in Justinās lesson.
My back burns when I play my guitar and I donāt want to have problems with my back. I think my sofa isnāt suitable, even when straight and sitting on the edge of it, it doesnāt seem to make much difference, it looks fine but the pain comes and itās not pleasant (maybe Iām not straight all the time, I donāt know, I think I need a reminder but I donāt think it is the problem) but then I only have the chair option and Iāve tried it and it looks fine but the chair is higher than the sofa so my legs arenāt 90Ā° degree so I canāt sit my guitar properly on them or have a stable hold. I have a strap and Iāve tried using it but I get annoyed and I pull it off. I guess with the strap I can play on any accent and I do not have to worry about the height of the sit (I mean, with the strap we can even play standing up). The strap is really the best option?
Make a conscious effort to sit up straight. Thatās the practice exercise you must concentrate on for the next few days. Once you get used to it you will be ok.
1 Like
Alright Iām going to try, Iāll make some sort of reminder to help, maybe sticking a reminder right on top of the guitar.
1 Like
As soon as you feel any pain that is the reminder.
Using a strap is a great way to keep your guitar at the exact spot where it should be - and from accidentally falling to the floor.
If your chair is too high so your knees are at a more than 90 degrees angle, just put something underneath your feet (books, papers, piece of wood, ā¦). Just make sure to get both feet at the same height, otherwise your pelvis will tilt sideways, causing your spine to curve as well.
And lastly, if you donāt exercise much, do some core strengthening exercises. This will strengthen your belly muscles, which are basically the ones you need to sit correctly. When those are strong enough, thereās a lot less strain on your back.
2 Likes
My guitar strap is a tough one, itās even suitable for bass guitar 
I donāt think I have this. I have the papers but I donāt think itās enough to lift both my legs. If I have though, I will only be able to play guitar home?
I have serious mental/emotional problems which affects my whole life, It makes me sedentary. I can try if they are easy to do, do you have some guide for me?
Look around, you will sure have something you can use. It doesnāt matter what, just something to put under your feet. This wonāt necessarily mean you will only be able to play at home. You will just have to see what the possibilities are if you want to play elsewhere. Maybe their chairs are not as high as yours, or they have something to prop up your feet, or you may have learned to play standing up by then or ā¦ But thatās not something to worry about if youāre not planning on playing outside of your home for the time to come.
Search for ācore strengtheningā, you will find tons of websites. You can easily do this at home, and you donāt need difficult exercises to have an effect. For example, look at the exercises on https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/core-strength/art-20546851. Now, some may be too hard for you for now, but most are pretty easy. Pick a couple of exercises and do each exercise 10 times (if 10 is too much for now, start with 5 or something - just enough to challenge you, but it doesnāt have te be torture). Take some rest in between exercises if you need to. If you do this for just maybe 15 minutes, a couple of times per week, you will sure benefit from it, not just for playing guitar, but for life in general.
2 Likes
What I can say, thank you Lady 
This is great advice - even a small amount of exercise can make a HUGE difference! 
Good luck with it - and let us know how you go.
1 Like