Guitar All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 2

Getting Ready to Play

IN THIS CHAPTER

Positioning your body and hands before you play

Reading chord diagrams, tablature, and rhythm slashes

Playing chords

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Guitars are user-friendly instruments. They fit comfortably into the arms of most humans, and the way your two hands fall on the strings naturally is pretty much the position from which you should play. This chapter tells you all about good posture techniques and how to hold your hands — just as if you were a young socialite at a finishing school.

Just remember that good posture and position, at the very least, prevent strain and fatigue and, at best, help develop good concentration habits and tone. After you get positioned correctly with the guitar, the chapter goes over some basic music-deciphering skills and shows you how to play a chord.

Assuming the Positions

You can either sit or stand while playing the guitar, and the position you choose makes virtually no difference whatsoever to your tone or technique. Most people prefer to sit while practicing but stand ...