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By Steve Booke
Good technique is essential for acoustic guitar players, but it does not imply that we need to focus on playing super-fast non-stop. It does, however, mean that correct placement of the fretting hand on the fingerboard, correct placement for acoustic fingerstyle players, and holding the pick properly for flat pickers, are integral.
Being a good technician does not mean playing fast in a tasteless manner. It means the facility to cleanly and effortlessly execute any musical passage that you set out to play. One of the most frustrating things I've encountered as a guitar player is to hear something in my head or write something and not be able to play it up to speed cleanly.
When someone first starts playing, how they hold their hands might have little or no effect on how they play. As long as their hands are in the ballpark of where they should be, there isn't too much else they can do at this point. Their finger strength isn't built up enough to play fast and fluidly, so they can only accomplish what is put in front of them at a beginner level. With that said, if their technique isn't correct, they will hit a brick wall very fast. After a few months, they might find it difficult to progress.
It is our responsibility, as teachers and advanced players, to guide students from the beginning to be mindful of good technique. Holding the pick correctly, for instance, can save the student months of frustration in trying to successfully perform a piece of music they are working on. Simply changing the angle of the wrist ever so slightly or holding the pick with two fingers rather than three, can make a world of difference in comfort and fluidity.
For every example of how not to hold the pick or place your fingers on your acoustic, there will be an example of someone on YouTube doing exactly that and playing amazing! Keep in mind, though, there will always be exemptions from the norm.
Also, within the realm of “proper” technique, there are several ways it can be approached. I’ve encountered teachers when I was learning that told me there is only one way to hold the pick or position the hand. This simply isn’t so. Everyone’s physical makeup is different, so what may be seemingly impossible to one person is effortless to another. Be mindful of the student in front of you and subtly make adjustments to their technique if need be. Slight changes in muscular alignment can make all the difference in turning something that was frustrating to something that is now fun!
