----- BASIC HANDLING -----
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There are a few simple rules to follow, regarding handling the guitar,
which will be beneficial if followed:
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When you maneuver a guitar, try to do it in such a way that you minimize the torsional stress
on the joint between neck and body.
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A good foundation rule, is always maneuver the guitar via using both hands. The left hand
should be assigned to the neck just beneath the headstock area, and the right hand assigned to the
guitar strap. This lets most of the weight of the instrument be supported by the guitar strap, which
supports the goal of minimizing the stress on the joint between neck and body. It also provides an
extra grip on the guitar via the left hand, just in case an end of the guitar strap disconnects itself
- a safeguard, against the guitar falling and being damaged.
The standard placement of a guitar in its case has the headstock to the left and the base of the
guitar to the right, when the case is sitting in front of you, open. When you're removing the guitar
from the case, the first thing to do is take hold of the strap with your right hand. Gently work the
majority of it out from around the guitar's body and up into the air. Once you have it straightened
out there, and have a good grip on it (right hand, palm up), then take hold of the neck just below the
headstock with your left hand (also, palm up). Apply lifting force with both hands, but with more of
the weight being managed via your right hand. The left hand lifts only enough to guide the upper end
of the guitar out of the case, and balance the instrument as it rises. Once the guitar is up in the air
and clear of contact with the case, the left hand can guide the re-orientation of the instrument to turn
it from being flat on its back to being on edge.
Placing a guitar back into its case is basically the reverse of the procedure I've described for
removing the guitar from the case. Support the weight of the guitar via the strap (right hand, palm
up), using the left hand (palm up) to guide the orientation of the guitar. Rest the side of the body
of the guitar into the area inside the case where its most roomy (where the body will be placed).
This allows you to do a dextrous change of orientation of the instrument in a quick and sure manner,
when you do it; i.e., gives you a moment to "change gears" mentally and physically. Lift
gently with the right hand, just enough to bring the guitar up to a point where it's clear of the sides
of the case (so it won't knock against the case). As soon as it's clear of the case, the left hand
applies turning force to the neck. This adjusts the entire instrument to change from on edge to on back.
Since this is all happening in close proximity to the case, it's easier to guide the placement of the
guitar's body into the case as you let it descend again. When it's in the case, take a moment to check
the placement of the neck. There's usually a small curved surface between headstock cavity and body
cavity of the case, designed for the back side of the neck to rest in. Have the neck centered, in
that curved surface. The last item to deal with, is the guitar strap. If there's a small amount of
extra space around the side of the guitar's body, you might be able to carefully tuck the guitar strap
into that extra space on edge. This is nice, if you can manage it, because it will help prevent the
leather ends of the strap from becoming creased and bent (creases & folds weaken those ends).
It also helps prevent the presence of the strap from applying pressure onto the guitar's face while
the case is shut. If the guitar's body fits too snugly into the case, then the alternative method of
tucking in the strap is to orient the bottom end of it to rise up to the front of the guitar. The amount
of free play in the strap is minimized via carefully tucking the upper end of the strap down into the
case near the joint between body and neck. The placement of strap of the face of the guitar should be
attended to - make the strap lay flat on the face, without any turns, folds, etc. Adjust the placement
so it's not on top of the bridge or strings; i.e., to the side of the bridge, slightly closer to
you. Attention to detail while positioning the strap for storage is important, in that a twisted or
folded strap on top of the guitar's face would be continuously applying pressure on the guitar's face
the entire time the case is shut.
If you remove the guitar from its case and replace the guitar into its case in the manner I've described
here, it should minimize the risk of damage to the instrument.
If you need to maneuver the guitar via only having a grip on its neck, there's only one correct
way to do it: Let the weight of the guitar hang straight down from your left hand, such that the left
hand is holding the neck just under the headstock. Any other method places undue stress onto the joint
between neck and body. Please note, that I specified left hand. The reason for that, is that
standard orientation of the guitar for playing and orientation of the guitar into its case are both
such that the headstock is to the left. If you're moving the guitar with intention of playing it,
you'll need the headstock to be off to your left (where the left hand is). The same applies, if
you're in the process of putting the guitar away into its case. Moving it with the right hand, means
you'll need to switch hands if you have any other intentions beyond simply picking it up, moving it
from one place to another, and putting it right back down.
I knew a person who had trouble getting the guitar strap on & off while preparing to play and
removing the guitar after playing, so I'm including a paragraph here about the correct (easy &
safest) way to do that. Pick up the guitar from the stand via using two hands. The left hand grips
the neck just under the headstock, and the right hand grips the guitar strap.
At first, most of the weight of the guitar is supported by the left hand, as the guitar
hangs straight down. The strap should rest in the "v" between thumb and main portion of
hand, with the hand oriented to be fingers up and forward, and basically on edge as vs. the player's
body. Lifting with the right hand and dropping the left hand changes the distribution of weight from
neck to strap, and while doing so changes the orientation of the guitar body from vertical to
almost horizontal. Once the guitar is almost horizontal, the right elbow should then tuck toward the
center of the player's chest, with the right hand becoming centered in front of the body at
approximately face level. As the right hand lifts, the right elbow tucks further and swings forward
to move through the space between guitar strap and guitar body. The right hand guides the strap up
and over the player's head, and then down to rest diagonally from left shoulder down and across the
player's back. The left hand stabilizes the instrument throughout this process, via its grip on the
guitar's neck.
Removing the guitar is the reverse of what I've written regarding putting on the guitar.
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Don't let it bang into things - AT ALL.
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Most of the wood used in construction of an acoustic guitar really light-gage. If you let the
guitar bang into things by being careless, it can get damaged quite easily. If you're good about
this rule, then the other rules will be easier to follow. Why? Because it's a lot easier to put out
the extra effort it takes to protect the instrument, if the instrument is in good condition. In
other words, if you have a guitar which is all beat up, covered with nicks and scratches, cracks in
the binding around the edge of the face, the bridge coming loose from the face, etc. - you'll look
at it and think, it's already screwed up, so why bother being so careful? Every little nick and
scratch that you let happen to the guitar nudges you slightly closer toward that place where you can
start to think, "Why bother?". Make it your goal whenever you're handling the guitar, to not allow that
instrument to come into contact AT ALL with anything harder than a pillow. And yes, I know that the
prongs of the guitar stand is harder than a pillow - but, a guitar stand in good condition will
have those prongs padded with thick rubber - and, even then, placing the guitar in the stand should
be done very carefully.
A common point of slip-up regarding this rule, even for people who've been playing guitar for years,
occurs when placing the guitar's bottom end on the floor. Even if there's a rug, you should be aware
that under that rug is a very hard surface. Your guitar can be damaged by the shock of impact against
a hard surface, even if that surface has a covering on it that would prevent scratches and nicks in
the wood. Simply toppling over from set on end, onto the floor carries the risk of damage to the
instrument. If you must set it on the floor, pick a place where it can be upright, resting on its
bottom end, and safe from falling over.
Working with this rule in mind for a while, you'll realize that the only way to do it right is
to develop the ingrained habit of always moving the instrument slowly and carefully, any
time you move it at all. When you pick a place to sit and practice or perform, you need to have
this rule in mind - be aware when you get settled, of what hard objects are nearby. Take note of
them, and gage the distance to them. Knowing those distances is the key to being able to function
in a way that prevents damage to your instrument; i.e., knowing what kind of leeway you have available
for reaching for your cigarette, turning pages of sheet music, etc. When you do things other than
playing the guitar without putting the guitar down first, that's when the risk level skyrockets.
Why? Because those are the moments, when your mind is on other things and the guitar being held moves
carelessly.
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It's very important, that you know and follow these simple
rules for handling and caretaking of your guitar. If you don't have
this fundamental knowledge, then your guitar won't last and you'll
either end up spending money to replace it, playing a broken or
warped instrument, or just abandoning guitar playing entirely. If
you take care of your instrument, then it's more likely to remain
useful; i.e., take care of it, and it will take care of you.
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