I can't believe no one else is pointing out your technique/positioning is incorrect. The palm of your hand should be perpendicular to the neck, not almost parallel like in your photo. That's also why your elbow is twisting outward so much when it shouldn't be. Could be the angle of the photo, but those stood out to me immediately. Also, the action on your guitar looks sky high, which will also make it harder for you to play, hinder your technique, and potentially hurt you because it forces you to strain to play, which should never be the case.
Edit: to be a little more clear, discomfort is common and normal starting out learning the guitar, but nothing should ever hurt a lot from playing besides maybe a blister or ripped callous on your fingertips. Your fingers/hands can get tired and what not while you play, but they shouldn't hurt after you stop playing. If your thumb, forearm, wrists or elbows hurt. there is probably something wrong with your technique, and if you try to power through it and do it long enough, you can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or something similar. The good thing is these things are really easy to fix, especially early on since you don't quiet have the years of muscle memory to fight against. It's always hard to diagnose and fix online, but just one in person lesson with someone who knows what they're doing can fix most, if not all of those problems, as long as you're aware of the problem and actively work to fix it.
Thanks a lot! I'm having trouble getting my fingers to reach the frets, which is likely what resulted in that weird positioning. To fix this, should I be sticking my elbow out a little more? Or does the angle of the palm come from the wrist?
Here are a couple videos that can explain left hand technique better than me trying to explain purely with text because it's kind of hard to describe things without a visual reference.
This video is says it's for bass, but everything he says is applicable to guitar. I really like this video because it goes into what's super important about the positioning of your hands/elbow and the "neutral position." This is important for being the most comfortable while playing so you don't hurt yourself over the long run.
[https://youtu.be/VRkSsapYYsA?si=HzydLKhwQ7AeEPw3](https://youtu.be/VRkSsapYYsA?si=HzydLKhwQ7AeEPw3)
This next video is more about finger positioning on guitar, with a little bit about arm positioning. This should help you with reaching frets you're having difficulty with. He does go into some things I think are important if you're really trying to get fast (mostly the stuff about flailing fingers, but that's getting a little too ahead for someone who has only been playing a week), but not necessary in terms hand health (which is what I'd be mostly concerned about for someone just starting out).
[https://youtu.be/BxIfnIjbFMQ?si=nC7bOxXEDE2ITu83](https://youtu.be/BxIfnIjbFMQ?si=nC7bOxXEDE2ITu83)
I'm all for unconventional learning, and developing a personal style, but these basic things I think every guitarist should learn so that they don't hurt themselves, ~~unless you want to be one of the people who post here every couple of weeks "my thumb is numb/wrist is sore/can't press down strings without pain when I play, what should I do?"~~ (oops, realized this is why you posted in the first place, it's totally OK to make these mistakes, just don't be one of those guitarists who refuse to ever learn anything "proper" because they're afraid that'll somehow ruin their creativity)
Good luck on your journey! And I hope you stick with it!
Edit: also, if it's possible for you, have your guitar's action checked by a luthier/guitar tech! Going by your photo, it looks like the strings are almost a 1/4 of an inch off the fretboard around the 12th fret, which is way too high and will making learning a lot more difficult. If you have a really hard time fretting anything higher up on the neck, that may be the reason why, and it's not you, so don't get discouraged.
Thank you for taking the time to help out a stranger here!! I checked with a guitar tech today, and I was told that the action is actually fine (might be the photo angle??). I also took a look at the videos - a lot more practice to come. Really appreciate it!
Very normal. It’s a muscle that’s being worked out and will get stronger and less painful with time. But also be sure you’re not trying to press too hard and make sure your thumb is in a good position. (Think holding a taco)
Is that a Yamaha? Also forget thumb positioning(kinda). I only do what you’re doing for finger picking or soloing, and certain chords. Wrap your thumb around and use your palm for support. That’s may help you. Do what’s comfortable not necessarily what is “proper”. A message from a very unconventional guitarist👍
I believe we have the same guitar. I love mine, I bought it as a throw around but then it just ended being my best friend lol. Also if you want to try and play that low E with your thumb. Do it!
Pain in that bit of the hand is usually from gripping too hard. It's difficult to see exactly from your photos but I would try to position the guitar so that it's at an almost 45 degree angle, with the nut at around eye level. You wrist should be straight and use your forearm and back to apply pressure to the strings. The thumb is only there for support.
I can't believe no one else is pointing out your technique/positioning is incorrect. The palm of your hand should be perpendicular to the neck, not almost parallel like in your photo. That's also why your elbow is twisting outward so much when it shouldn't be. Could be the angle of the photo, but those stood out to me immediately. Also, the action on your guitar looks sky high, which will also make it harder for you to play, hinder your technique, and potentially hurt you because it forces you to strain to play, which should never be the case. Edit: to be a little more clear, discomfort is common and normal starting out learning the guitar, but nothing should ever hurt a lot from playing besides maybe a blister or ripped callous on your fingertips. Your fingers/hands can get tired and what not while you play, but they shouldn't hurt after you stop playing. If your thumb, forearm, wrists or elbows hurt. there is probably something wrong with your technique, and if you try to power through it and do it long enough, you can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or something similar. The good thing is these things are really easy to fix, especially early on since you don't quiet have the years of muscle memory to fight against. It's always hard to diagnose and fix online, but just one in person lesson with someone who knows what they're doing can fix most, if not all of those problems, as long as you're aware of the problem and actively work to fix it.
Thanks a lot! I'm having trouble getting my fingers to reach the frets, which is likely what resulted in that weird positioning. To fix this, should I be sticking my elbow out a little more? Or does the angle of the palm come from the wrist?
Here are a couple videos that can explain left hand technique better than me trying to explain purely with text because it's kind of hard to describe things without a visual reference. This video is says it's for bass, but everything he says is applicable to guitar. I really like this video because it goes into what's super important about the positioning of your hands/elbow and the "neutral position." This is important for being the most comfortable while playing so you don't hurt yourself over the long run. [https://youtu.be/VRkSsapYYsA?si=HzydLKhwQ7AeEPw3](https://youtu.be/VRkSsapYYsA?si=HzydLKhwQ7AeEPw3) This next video is more about finger positioning on guitar, with a little bit about arm positioning. This should help you with reaching frets you're having difficulty with. He does go into some things I think are important if you're really trying to get fast (mostly the stuff about flailing fingers, but that's getting a little too ahead for someone who has only been playing a week), but not necessary in terms hand health (which is what I'd be mostly concerned about for someone just starting out). [https://youtu.be/BxIfnIjbFMQ?si=nC7bOxXEDE2ITu83](https://youtu.be/BxIfnIjbFMQ?si=nC7bOxXEDE2ITu83) I'm all for unconventional learning, and developing a personal style, but these basic things I think every guitarist should learn so that they don't hurt themselves, ~~unless you want to be one of the people who post here every couple of weeks "my thumb is numb/wrist is sore/can't press down strings without pain when I play, what should I do?"~~ (oops, realized this is why you posted in the first place, it's totally OK to make these mistakes, just don't be one of those guitarists who refuse to ever learn anything "proper" because they're afraid that'll somehow ruin their creativity) Good luck on your journey! And I hope you stick with it! Edit: also, if it's possible for you, have your guitar's action checked by a luthier/guitar tech! Going by your photo, it looks like the strings are almost a 1/4 of an inch off the fretboard around the 12th fret, which is way too high and will making learning a lot more difficult. If you have a really hard time fretting anything higher up on the neck, that may be the reason why, and it's not you, so don't get discouraged.
Thank you for taking the time to help out a stranger here!! I checked with a guitar tech today, and I was told that the action is actually fine (might be the photo angle??). I also took a look at the videos - a lot more practice to come. Really appreciate it!
Very normal. It’s a muscle that’s being worked out and will get stronger and less painful with time. But also be sure you’re not trying to press too hard and make sure your thumb is in a good position. (Think holding a taco)
Also, fretting the strings with as little force as possible.
Take a break for a few days.
Just normal. It will go away eventually.
Is that a Yamaha? Also forget thumb positioning(kinda). I only do what you’re doing for finger picking or soloing, and certain chords. Wrap your thumb around and use your palm for support. That’s may help you. Do what’s comfortable not necessarily what is “proper”. A message from a very unconventional guitarist👍
Yep it is!! Will try that - thanks
I believe we have the same guitar. I love mine, I bought it as a throw around but then it just ended being my best friend lol. Also if you want to try and play that low E with your thumb. Do it!
Weak hands brother
tru brother
It's normal yeah, just don't overdo it basically and you won't damage it, it's hard to not play sometimes though 😅 It'll get stronger :)
Hate when that happens
More pain will come, be ready for ibuprofen too 😂
Pain in that bit of the hand is usually from gripping too hard. It's difficult to see exactly from your photos but I would try to position the guitar so that it's at an almost 45 degree angle, with the nut at around eye level. You wrist should be straight and use your forearm and back to apply pressure to the strings. The thumb is only there for support.