Michael Jordan's high school basketball coach suggested that Michael give up trying to play the game. Mr. Jordan discovered years later that he needed to work on his movements. He said in his book:

"If you practice something the wrong way 8 hours a day, you will become very good at doing something the wrong way."

I hear from a lot of players who practice all day and never get improve. I also hear from many players who have wrist, arm, finger, and back problems. When I hear that, I always ask to see what they are doing. Most of the time, the guitar is held incorrectly, with arms and bodies in strange contortions (in addition to practicing the the wrong material the wrong way). I tell them to "freeze", holding the position. I then remove the guitar and hold up a mirror so they can see how uncomfortable they look. I then ask them to hold the position for five minutes and observe the pain. After this exercise, they see that there is a problem and want to fix it.

I have students (or professionals who should be playing better) to get into a comfortable position which can be held for many hours without pain, and put the guitars (with straps) on them, enabling them to play without changing the position. I have been creating a science of balancing a guitar through moving the strap buttons to tailor the guitar to the person playing it. Wrists, back and neck work best when straight

1. Always use a strap, a good one. Your job is to play the guitar. The job of the strap is to hold the guitar. You have an expensive guitar (and body), why skimp on the strap? Adjust it so that your wrists, back and neck are straight. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Don't use a foot rest, it causes back problems.
2. The guitar and strap should be in a position to keep the guitar at the same angle whether the player is standing or sitting. Most poor players have two guitar positions; one standing and one sitting. Therefore, all the music you play must be mastered standing and sitting. You must practice everything twice.
3. Many players make strange mouth and facial contortions when playing. This might have little to do with music and can cause stress in the body. You know you're in trouble if you see audience members mimicking your movements. The face must be relaxed. A smile relaxes the neck muscles between the skull and shoulders. To play well for the duration of a four hour gig, energy needs to be conserved.
4. Have someone video tape you performing and practicing. Study it with your teacher. The really good teachers do that.
5. Get a great teacher. If you have been studying with someone (and practicing), and you are not improving, and your posture has not been addressed, you need to look for a better teacher.
6. The piano virtuoso Glenn Gould took his home practice chair with him when he gave concerts.
7. If you sit when you play, your knees should be lower than your hips by a few inches which will help straighten your back.
8. Go to an office supply store and buy a practice chair. Take your guitar with you.

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SUPPORT BOOK: We don't carry this book but it's readily available online.

"I CAN'T ACCEPT NOT TRYING"
by Michael Jordan