Question: How do I position the classical guitar?
You want the guitar at approximately a 45 degree angle with the headstock around eye level. You also should have four contact points at the chest, arm, and legs. But there are many specific variables from the size of the player to the size the guitar and seat height.
See my full lesson: I have a full dedicated lesson on Sitting and Position for Classical Guitar so check that out first as it has tons of tips and photos with diagrams for much more context. I’ve included the video and a few pictures below.
Here are some quick steps to follow
- Sit with good posture. Align your body with an X-Y axis finding the centre of gravity and allowing your spine to create a solid pillar that your muscles can relax from. Do not lean to one side or the other.
- Relax both shoulders. Carefully check that one shoulder isn’t raised more than the other.
- Sit on the forward toward the edge of the chair.
- Hold the guitar at approximately a 45 degree angle or steeper with the headstock around eye level. Experiment with the height of the footstool or support so the headstock is around eye level.
- The left foot is raised with the footstool, the right foot is on the ground. With a guitar support both feet will be flat on the ground.
- Your right arm can come down naturally on the guitar weighted by gravity.
- The top/face of the guitar should generally be straight up and down and not too angled toward you.
- Contact points include both legs, the right arm, the chest, and the hands. A guitar support acts as part of the guitar itself for the right leg.
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