Hand Position: 101
Probably the most important consideration concerning playing musical instruments is the development of perfect hand position. The perfect hand position is that which affords the least resistance to the free movement of all of your fingers. For now, we will concern ourselves with the guitar. Let's first look at the left hand. Each finger should be slightly curved and your fingertips should make contact with the strings. The thumb should be approximately two thirds up from the bottom of the neck and in the position roughly opposite your second finger. Additionally, your hands should be completely relaxed keeping your fingers as close to the strings as possible. Even when you aren't using a particular finger it should remain in a ready position very close to the strings.
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Pictured left is an example of proper right hand position for flatpicking. Hand position is very relaxed, fingers tucked in loosely under the palm which isn't resting on the bridge. The pick is held between the first digits of the thumb and first finger. On the right is the opposite. Holding the pick too deeply forces your hand to tighten and restricts wrist flexibility. Also, playing with fingers extended is not recommended because the weight of your fingers actually works against freedom of movement. The players palm is resting on the bridge. Don't fall into the habit of "palm muting" this way. It isn't necessary and restricts movement.
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Again, pictured left is an example of very good left hand position. Fingers are loose, slightly curved and fingertips are making contact with the strings. The thumb is roughly in line with the second finger. The hand is very relaxed. The hand position on the right is very poor. The back of the hand is turned away from the fingerboard forcing the thumb to move too high up the back of the neck. This also forces the fourth finger to "fly" away from the strings making it for the most part useless. Also, the fingers are bunched up. This kind of hand position makes fingering chords very difficult and fluid solo playing impossible.