Improve your guitar technique by asking these two questions
Good guitar technique doesn't mean you have to follow rigid rules to avoid "bad" technique. Instead, good guitar technique is guided by principles that, once understood, can help you develop your best playing style.
What is guitar technique?
Recently, I've been defining technique as:
The most effective and efficient way for your body to move when playing the guitar.
Rather than listing rigid rules, this definition describes how to best interact with the guitar to achieve optimal results.
When evaluating guitar technique, I rely on two key questions:
Will this cause physical harm?
For instance, will a certain movement increase the risk of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) in your wrists?
Does it provide an additional benefit?
For instance, does moving in that way allow you to play a note or chord you otherwise wouldn't have been able to?
If a technique neither causes harm nor adds value, it’s likely unnecessary. On the other hand, if it offers a benefit but causes harm, it’s worth reconsidering.
Thumb position
Take thumb position as an example. A more classical approach emphasizes keeping your thumb behind the neck (approximately halfway down). This approach can improve reach and clarity (especially helpful for beginner players), but advanced players may choose to position their thumb over the top of the neck to provide additional benefits in certain contexts.
For example, playing a D/F# chord with the thumb fretting the low F# note can be more efficient and practical. Using our guiding questions:
Does it cause harm? No.
Does it provide a benefit? Yes, it allows you to fret certain notes and mute strings in a way you couldn't before.
Good technique is dynamic. Beginners should focus on keeping the thumb behind the neck to build solid fundamentals and develop their understanding of good guitar technique. However, as they progress, they might choose to adjust their thumb position to achieve specific goals in their playing.
Avoid ineffective habits
Sometimes guitarists develop habits that don't cause harm but also don’t add any benefit. An example of this might be playing Pentatonic Pattern One using only the first and third fingers. While this doesn’t cause harm, it limits your ability to develop strength and dexterity in your fourth finger.
Learn the rules before breaking them
Some guitarists, like John Mayer, develop preferences for playing in ways that might go against the guidelines discussed here. Mayer’s large hands, for example, allow him to use his third finger in ways that might be more limiting for most guitar players (If you’ve ever tried to play Neon you know exactly what I mean!). While John Mayer is an incredible guitarist for many reasons, his technique in certain areas may not be ideal for beginners developing their foundational skills.
Before adopting unconventional techniques, focus on understanding the principles of good technique and mastering the foundational movements. Once you understand how your body moves most effectively, you can make informed decisions about deviating from traditional methods.
Technique should serve the player
Ultimately, good technique should serve the player. It’s not about rigid rules that dictate how you should move, but rather informed choices that prevent harm and improve efficiency.
Watching players you admire can be very helpful when developing your technique.
Practice asking:
Why do they move that way?
How does it benefit their playing?
Experiment with their methods. If it works for you, great. If not, that’s fine too. Remember, just because someone plays a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way for you. They might have developed a preference or habit over time. Understanding the reasoning behind their technique will ultimately help you develop your own approach.
Good technique isn’t about rigidly adhering to rules. It’s about learning how your body moves and making informed decisions that suit your playing style. By understanding the principles behind effective and efficient movement, you can decide when to stick to the basics and when to break them.
