The way of holding the guitar

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

I'm starting this new discussion called The way of holding the guitar.

In the dicussion "the left hand tnumb" things are turning in that direction so I thought why not just add a new discussion with this subject in mind.

 

Rob mentioned someplace in the left hand discussion that the vienese way of holding the guitar is such so the head of the guitar is pointed allmost straight up.

I recall reading that this actually was one way of holding it and not only in vienna.

So I've found some paintings/drawings of ways of different ways holding the guitar.

 

 

[Rob MacKillop]

And there is always the thimble which Regondi attached to his little finger, at least when he was a kid...

I love this - everyone did their own thing :-)

[Scot Tremblay]

One could use one of those little rubber thimbles that bankers used to use to count money...your finger would never slip...

[Lars Hedelius-Strikkertsen]

Have also this picture in a book of mine. When carefully studied one can see that Regondi as a child used some kind of metal thing holster on his littlefinger and then resting it on the soundboard. Wether he used it as a crown up I dont remember.

[Scot Tremblay]

That might just be "artistic license" on the part of whom ever drew the illustration. I just tried that on a few of my period guitars (to see if different neck shapes had any bearing on it) and I will have to dislocate my thumb at the large joint to be able to accomplish that position.

 

I'm sure I'll pass on adopting that authentic period technique!