So you got your first guitar. Bet you're itchin to start strummin!

Well then, let's go ahead and begin with the finer details of how to hold the instrument. Please, don't cast an awkward glance, it's indeed very important to hold the instrument properly, since, just like any other musical instrument, a guitar must be held properly to get the best out of it. Any awkward pose makes it really difficult to play even the simplest of melodies and you may soon drop the idea of becoming an accomplished guitarist.

The first rule is to be comfortable while holding the guitar. So, go get yourself a straight-backed chair and sit on its front edge with your back straight. Gently lift the guitar and place it on your right thigh with the strings and sound hole facing outwards. If you're right handed, the neck should point towards your left. If you're a left hander, don't worry, you have Jimi Hendrix for company! Place the guitar on your left thigh and let the neck point towards your right. The neck should point slightly upwards; say 30 or so.

But these details are merely guidelines. It isn't necessary to follow them to the last semicolon - slight deviations here and there which make you more comfortable are on and they won't bring the heavens crashing down.

I have described here the hand positions for a right hander - it'd be just the opposite for a left hander.

Let your right arm lie over the guitar in a gentle way so that your fingers hang loosely over the sound hole. These fingers (rather, the finger tips) would strum the strings, so see to it that you don't require a lot of wrist movement in order to reach the strings. There are cases where people have ended up with carpal tunnel syndrome by exerting too much effort on their wrists, so, once again, be comfortable while holding the guitar.

Let's now go over to your left hand - the "fretting" hand, so to say. The back of the neck is curved so you'll find your palm fitting snugly over it. Keep your fingers curled so that your fingertips can freely press the strings. Now, what to do with the thumb?

There are two ways to it. You can either place your thumb at the back or you may arch it across the neck. Generally the thumb should arch over the neck while constructing chords and it should be at the back of the neck while playing scales. But, again, there are no hard and fast rules about it, keep your thumb in a position where you are most comfortable and can reach the strings with utmost ease.