How to Hold an Acoustic Guitar Properly (Without Pain or Tension)

Most beginners feel awkward when they first pick up the guitar. If your guitar feels heavy, uncomfortable, or hard to control...you’re not doing anything wrong. You’ve probably just never been shown the proper guitar posture that makes playing easier.

Learning how to hold a guitar properly is one of the most important steps in your guitar journey.

Good posture and setup will help you strum smoothly, fret notes without pain, and practice for longer without tension. On the other hand, poor positioning can lead to sore wrists, aching shoulders, or bad habits that slow down your progress.

In this lesson, I’ll walk you through:

• The correct sitting position for acoustic guitar

• How to position your guitar so it feels balanced and secure

• Whether you need a guitar strap (even while sitting)

• How to hold the guitar neck correctly for relaxed left-hand playing

• Common mistakes that cause tension and how to avoid them

It’s perfectly okay to go back to the basics. Whether you’re taking beginner guitar lessons or just learning on your own, building a strong foundation will make every chord, strum, and song easier in the future.

Watch my full video tutorial here:

How to Hold A Guitar (Acoustic Guitar Beginner Lesson)

By the end of this video lesson, you’ll know exactly how to hold an acoustic guitar while sitting and standing, with proper posture and hand position, setting you up for confident, pain-free playing.

If you’d like a simple reference to keep these steps clear while you practice, I’ve created a free guide you can download: “Guitar Position & Setup Basics,” to learn the exact steps for posture, hand placement, and balance. This quick guide will help you avoid pain, improve your playing, and build a solid foundation from day one.

Happy playing!

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