Most important in finding the optimum position to hold your guitar is your physical comfort. If your position is awkward or stiff, it will cause your muscles to become tense, and not function at their highest capability. Furthermore, a comfortable position will allow you to reach all of the guitar's parts without causing you to strain your muscles. Each playing style has its own guidelines with respect to the guitarist's playing position.

Classical guitarists raise their left leg with a footstool, allowing the upper let to better secure the guitar. A few classical musicians keep both of their feet on the floor, using a specially designed cushion to secure the guitar and raise it to the optimum playing height.

Guitarists in other music genres generally support their guitar on their right leg. Players in most styles take a relatively informal position, resting the guitar at the most comfortable spot on their right leg. A few guitarists prefer a cross-legged position. This position, however, tends to cramp the player's legs, causing impaired circulation.

Flamenco musicians place their guitar's widest point on the outer part of their right thigh, seated in an armless chair, with their knees slightly higher than their hip joints. This position keeps the guitar from slipping forward. An upright but relaxed posture is essential for Flamenco guitarists. Their hands should be relaxed, so that they can avoid tension in their muscles of their hands and arms. The back of the guitar should be perpendicular to the floor, with the neck of the instrument slanted a bit forward, away from the guitarist's left side. The guitar should not be pressed against the musician's chest, because that dampens the guitar's sound. Beginning Flamenco guitarists should keep an eye on their left-hand fingers, making sure that they are just behind the correct frets. The left hand should not support the guitar's weight, since that limits the hand's movement.

Guitarists who perform on stage while standing need to have a strap to support their instruments. The strap is fastened to the top of the guitar by a string that is attached right above the nut, right at the bottom of the headstock. At the bottom of the guitar, the strap is fastened to a pin. Pins also can be used at the top of the guitar, but they must be installed by a luthier (guitar repair professional).

Regardless of what style of music you play, a correct, relaxed position is essential to producing good sound quality and avoiding tension. Getting your position right from the very beginning will help you make faster progress as you learn to play your guitar.