Even with a cutaway (acoustic) I find my fretting wrist awkward & my elbow contorted when I play at 11th, 12, 13, 14 etc. Are there any specific adjustments when playing up high (acoustic)? Thanks!
Hi! This is one of those situations where a photo would help…can you post a photo of your wrist and elbow, as well as one showing how you are holding the guitar? 
Generally your thumb should move down the neck away from your head the closer your playing to the guitar body
This is nicely demonstrated by the EndurNeck from strandberg*
Playing above 12th fret is definitely uncomfortable on an acoustic guitar, and even worse on a classical one.
Here’s a picture. Index finger is at 11th, but if I had to go up any more I feel I’d need to rotate the guitar somehow bc my upper arm is already up against my torso
Those are helpful! First my disclaimer: I’ve only been playing for a couple of years, and am still a Grade 3 beginner. My first observation is that you appear to be holding the guitar to one side of your body. I did this until my teacher (our very own Richard) corrected me. If you move the guitar so the sound hole is more centered over your torso I think you’ll have more room for your elbow and more room to work up the neck.
Another observation is that your thumb appears to be positioned up behind fret 9. I’m just beginning to play triads up the neck. and tend to pace my thumb more directly behind my index finger, and more wrapped around the neck. I’m not saying I’m doing this correctly - but that’s my natural inclination. Hopefully other more experienced players will weigh in with their thoughts as well. I’ll be learning right along with you! Thanks for asking this question. It’s always good to get these things sorted before they become habits.
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That’s helpful! Thanks so much.
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@KG171 Are you having the issue when trying to play single notes? Chords (big or small)? Triads? Other?
There are few circumstances when you need to play beyond fret 12 on an acoustic but when you do, you do need to make adjustments to several physical aspects.
As @judi suggests, try moving the position of the guitar body across your chest a little. Also, try angling the neck up a little. And bring your thumb in closer so it sits behind your fingers - in the picture there is room as your hand hasn’t yet reached the restriction of the neck heel. One other small point - make a conscious effort to have your little finger up with the others, not dropped below the fretboard.
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This is super helpful! I’m learning “Christmas Time Is Here” (Vince Guaraldi) from Charlie Brown Christmas, which has a pattern of triads and notes up high followed by a barre lower down repeated several times. I feel like I hunch my shoulders and squeeze my left elbow in hard each time I have to go high. Your suggestions are going to help a lot!
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