🎸 How to Hold the Guitar in the Classical Position (For Kids!)
🎸 How to Hold the Guitar in the Classical Position (For Kids!)
Learning to hold the guitar the right way is one of the most important first steps for every young player. A correct seated position helps with comfort, good technique, and better progress over time.
In this post, we’ll show you (and your child) how to hold the guitar in the classical position using a footstool—step-by-step!
👶 Why the Classical Position?
The classical guitar position is ideal for kids because:
✅ It gives better access to the fretboard
✅ It promotes good posture
✅ It prevents the guitar from slipping
✅ It encourages clean, confident playing from the start
🪑 What You’ll Need
To get started, you just need:
A child-sized chair (no armrests, and ideally the feet need to touch the ground)
A small footstool or adjustable guitar support (if you don't currently have a footstool afew thick books will do just fine)
A suitable sized guitar for your child.
Read this article to learn more about what the best size guitar is for your child (link)
🪜 Step-by-Step Guide: Classical Guitar Position for Kids
Step 1: Sit Up Tall
Sit on the edge of a comfy chair with your back straight and both feet flat on the ground. Avoid leaning back or slouching.
✨ Tip: A good seated position helps your hands move freely on the guitar
🦶 Step 2: Left Foot on the Footstool
Place a small footstool under the left foot. This lifts the leg and tilts the guitar toward the body, making it easier to play.
🪑 The left leg will now be higher than the right leg—that’s what we want!
🎸 Step 3: Guitar on the Left Leg
Gently rest the body of the guitar on the left thigh, just behind the knee. The waist of the guitar (the curved-in part) should fit neatly on the leg.
The back of the guitar should lean slightly against the chest and stomach, creating a balanced feel.
🎯 Neck angled upward (about 45°)
✅ Guitar body steady without hands gripping it
👁️ Headstock around eye level
💪 Step 4: Right Arm on Top of the Guitar
Place the right forearm across the top edge of the guitar body (near the lower bout).
This arm acts like a gentle anchor—keeping the guitar from sliding away—while still letting the hand move freely to strum or pluck the strings.
🖐️ Step 5: Left Hand Ready to Play
With the guitar held securely, the left hand is now free to hover over the neck.
Fingers should be curved and relaxed, ready to press the strings. The thumb rests lightly behind the neck—like a pinch!
✅ Classical Position Checklist
✔ Back straight
✔ Left foot on footstool
✔ Guitar on left thigh
✔ Neck angled up
✔ Right arm steady
✔ Hands relaxed and ready
✔Neck angled up
✔Right arm steady
✔Hands relaxed and ready
📸 Want to see this in action? Check out our instructional video
🙌 Final Tips for Parents
Be patient—it may feel awkward at first!
Check posture at the beginning of each practice session
Use a mirror, or even better, join our live Zoom lessons for direct feedback from a qualified teacher
📚 Learn More with Online Guitar 4 Kids
We teach beginner-friendly guitar lessons online for kids aged 5–12 using the proven G4 Guitar Method.
🎓 Your child will learn:
Chords
Reading
Arpeggios
Rhythm
Picking
Aural/theory
Songs
And how to have FUN while learning!
