So now I have said the left hand is a good place to start with beginner guitar chords, here is a quick checklist – something you can quickly go over in your head as you practice to make sure you are not falling into any bad habits.

1. Relax.  All fine movements of the hands require relaxation.  The beginner should be aware that the more familiar you are with the hand positions, the more you will relax.  With relaxation comes the subtleness required to make the micro movements with the hands to avoid unwanted fret buzz and to fret notes cleanly.  The smoothness comes with time and practice.

2. Stop what you are doing.  When you first begin guitar lessons the approach is all important.  So after you have been playing for 5 minutes or so – stop –  get up and walk around your chair three times – then begin again.  This way you will practice your approach, the way you come at the guitar.  So when you pick it up you get good hand position straight away, without having to work yourself into it. So stop lengthy beginner practice sessions and practice your approach.  In the long run it is the most important things.

3. Think positive.  Once you have got a good position with your hands it is time to let your mind wander to somewhere else.  I think it is helpful to say to yourself “this is easy”.  That is make it easy for yourself. That is the difference between a beginner and an advanced guitarist – in the mind.  The advanced player knows how to make things easy, the beginner still thinks it is hard.  It is not difficult, it is only difficult for you if you think it is difficult.  Give yourself a break and think of it as a pleasurable experience: as in music as in life.

So I hope these points are helpful.  I still practice them today and think of them as practice techniques that will help me through the jungle rather than just beginner guitar lessons.