Hand positioning
How to position the right hand
Relax Your Right Arm:
Let your right arm hang naturally at your side. Notice how your fingers naturally curl slightly.
Rest Your Arm:
Place your right upper arm on the body of the guitar. Adjust based on your arm length.
Hold the Pick:
Position a regular-sized hard pick on your first finger, with the top of the pick parallel to the second joint of your finger.
Personal Tip: I prefer using an extra heavy pick (1.21MM).
Place your thumb flat across the pick. Keep it relaxed—don't stiffen or bend it.
Position Your Fingers:
Pull your first finger back slightly, so it doesn’t touch the strings. The pick should stick out just a bit more than your first finger.
Caution: Hold the pick lightly—just enough to keep from dropping it. Your hand should form an inverted "V" shape.
As you pull your first finger back, the bottom tip of the pick and your finger should protrude slightly under your thumb.
Movement:
Pick using your elbow, with your fingers and thumb moving as a single unit. All movement should come from the elbow.
Glide Your Hand:
As your right hand moves across the pick guard, your fingers should stay in their natural semi-curled position.
Key Tips:
Keep your fingers in their natural semi-curled position—don’t open or close them.
Don’t anchor your right hand on the pick guard or bridge.
Avoid unnecessary movement in your picking hand.
Hold the pick flat and parallel to the strings, using only the tip.
Maintain a consistent depth when the pick enters between the strings by picking from the elbow.
Custom made Stratocaster-type by Charles Whitfill.
How to position the left hand
Place your first finger across all six strings at the first fret to create a bar.
Tip: Position your left thumb at the center of the back of the neck.
Caution: Avoid pressing your left palm against the neck.
Use your thumb as support for your left hand.
Test: You should be able to hold the guitar up using just your thumb and first finger.
Custom made Telecaster-type by Charles Whitfill.