Guitar is one of the musical instruments that can be approached with much ease while learning how to play it. The versatile nature of the guitar is not just because of its application in a wide variety of music ranging from country to classical music. However, it can seem like an uphill struggle to learn how to play guitar. Mastery of the basics is a good way to kick off the task of learning to play the guitar and a good instructor can guide you through. What you are about to read now is just like an introduction to playing guitar. For you to master the techniques and basics and eventually become a "master of the chord", you certainly need to take lessons on guitar playing whether online or a real life teacher.

Just to say this; if you have notable problems with forming chord shapes with your fingers; the best way to kick off is to start making yourself conversant with songs that make use of power chords or single notes. This way, you will develop finger strength, dexterity and you will eventually become familiar with the guitar without much pressure and irritation.

Learning Positioning Techniques – Holding the Guitar

Note that before you proceed to positioning techniques while learning how to play guitar, you must learn and master the different parts of the guitar; this is a good way to start. Now, let's focus on how to position the hand in guitar playing.

The first thing to do in learning positioning techniques to get a seat; preferably an armless chair. Then ensure that your back is comfortably rested and supported. The purpose of opting for an armless chair is to ensure that you have enough room on both sides for free movement of your arms and proper holding of the guitar. Good positioning is very important when learning how to play guitar.

The next thing to do is to get the guitar placed on your lap, how? Let the back of the guitar face or touch your chest while the body of the instrument rests on your leg, far away from the headstock. The right leg is usually used in resting the guitar and this means that the headstock of the guitar will be on the left, unless you're left-handed of course. If you are left-handed the headstock will be to your right.

The 6th string (which is the thickest string) of the guitar should be nearest to your chest while the 1st and thinnest string should be closest to your feet; if this is the case, then it means you are holding the guitar in the correct way.

Finally, in this first lesson on how to play guitar, use your left hand to grip the guitar if you are a right-handler and your right hand if you are a left-handler.The gripping should be gentle but firm. Ensure that your thumb is rested behind the neck of the guitar and let the rest of the fingers float above the strings, signaling your readiness to strike the strings. Then grab yourself a pick with your hand that is closest to the bridge of the guitar, position the pick in-between your thumb and index fingers securely. Now you are ready to go!