How to Play Guitar Behind Your Head

Playing guitar behind your head is one of those rock ‘n’ roll moves that can really make you feel like a guitar god. It’s flashy, it’s showy, and yes, it’s a bit tricky. But once you get the hang of it, it’s an awesome trick to have in your repertoire. This article is all about breaking it down into manageable steps so you can nail this move without looking like you’re wrestling with your guitar.

Nailing the Basics: Guitar Positioning

First things first: to play guitar behind your head, you need to get the positioning just right. Sounds simple enough, but it’s crucial. If you’ve ever watched legends like Jimi Hendrix or Angus Young pull off this trick, you’ll notice they make it look effortless. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to get started:

• Strap Adjustment: Adjust your guitar strap to be slightly looser than usual. The guitar should hang comfortably around your waist when you’re in a regular playing position.
• Grip Check: Hold the neck of the guitar with your fretting hand as you would normally. This is going to be your anchor point.
• Head Tilt: Tilt your head slightly forward and to the side. This gives your guitar a clear path to move behind your head.
• Neck Overhead: Gently lift the neck of the guitar over your head. Keep your eyes on the fretboard momentarily to ensure you’re not bumping into anything.
• Shoulder Support: Rest the body of the guitar on your shoulder. This provides stability and balance as you begin to play.

It might feel awkward at first, but with practice, you’ll get comfortable with the sensation of having the guitar behind your head. Remember, it’s all about finding the right balance and not rushing the process.

Getting a Grip on Chords and Fretting

Once your guitar is in position, the next step is to focus on how you’re actually going to play those chords. This is where things can get a bit tricky because your perspective is completely flipped. Here’s how to tackle it:

• Visualize the Fretboard: Picture the fretboard in your mind as if it were in front of you. This mental image helps guide your fingers.
• Fret by Feel: You’ll rely more on feel than sight. Practice simple chord shapes—like E minor or A minor—until you can comfortably fret them behind your head.
• Finger Strength: Engage your fingers and press firmly. The angle is different, so you might need a bit more strength to get a clean sound.
• Check Your Tone: Play a few notes and listen closely. Adjust your finger placement as needed to eliminate any buzzing or muted strings.

Practice makes perfect here, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to get it right. It’s all about muscle memory and developing that tactile familiarity with the fretboard.

Strumming and Picking Techniques

Now that you’ve got the fretting down, it’s time to focus on your picking hand. Playing behind your head requires some adjustments to your usual strumming and picking techniques:

• Alternate Picking: Stick to alternate picking for most riffs. It’s efficient and helps maintain a steady rhythm.
• Strumming Patterns: Use simple downstrokes at first. As you get more comfortable, you can incorporate upstrokes and more complex patterns.
• Palm Muting: This can be tough behind your head, but it’s not impossible. Use the heel of your hand to lightly mute the strings for those chunky metal riffs.
• Watch Your Swing: Be mindful of your strumming arm’s movement. You don’t want to accidentally hit yourself or knock the guitar out of position.

It might feel a bit like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time, but with time, your picking hand will adapt to the new angle and movements required.

Building Confidence with Scales and Solos

Once you’re comfortable with chords and strumming, you might want to try your hand at some scales and solos. It’s definitely a showstopper when done right:

• Start Simple: Begin with minor pentatonic scales. They’re straightforward and a great way to warm up.
• Slow It Down: Practice slowly to ensure accuracy. Speed will come with familiarity and muscle memory.
• Break It Down: Split solos into smaller sections. Focus on mastering each part before putting it all together.
• Use Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs: These can add flair to your playing while minimizing hand movement.

Remember, even the legends didn’t master this overnight. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories. Each practice session brings you closer to nailing that epic behind-the-head solo.

Staying Safe and Avoiding Injury

As fun and impressive as playing behind your head can be, it’s important to do it safely. Here’s how to keep injury at bay:

• Stretch Beforehand: Warm up your neck, shoulders, and arms with some light stretches.
• Take Breaks: Don’t overdo it. Take breaks if you feel any strain or discomfort.
• Watch Your Posture: Keep an eye on your posture to avoid unnecessary tension.
• Listen to Your Body: If something feels off, take a step back and reassess your technique.

It might not be the most comfortable playing position, but you don’t want to injure yourself for the sake of a cool trick. Safety first, rock star second.

Adding Flair to Your Performance

You’ve got the basics down, and you’re playing behind your head like a pro. Now, it’s time to add some flair and personality to your performance:

• Stage Presence: Engage with your audience. Make eye contact and move to the music.
• Facial Expressions: Don’t be afraid to show some emotion. It adds to the performance and makes it more engaging.
• Move with Confidence: Walk around, spin, or jump if you’re feeling daring. Just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings.
• Experiment with Effects: Use pedals to add reverb, delay, or distortion for a more dynamic sound.

Playing guitar behind your head is as much about the performance as it is about the technique. Have fun with it and make it your own.

Practicing with Purpose: Tips for Consistent Improvement

Like any skill, playing guitar behind your head requires regular practice. Here’s how to make the most of your practice sessions:

• Set Goals: Decide what you want to achieve with each practice session.
• Use a Metronome: Keep your timing tight by practicing with a metronome.
• Record Yourself: Listen back to your playing to identify areas for improvement.
• Seek Feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from fellow guitarists.

Consistency is key. Practicing regularly helps build muscle memory and boosts your confidence on stage.

Why Practice with Riffhard?

At Riffhard, we offer lessons from some of the world’s best metal guitarists. Whether you’re looking to improve your rhythm chops or add some flair to your solos, our instructors cover it all. Plus, with our custom metronome and interactive player, you can practice at your own pace. It’s like having a personal guitar coach right at your fingertips.

Final Thoughts

Playing guitar behind your head isn’t just about showing off—it’s a fun way to challenge yourself and add excitement to your playing. Remember to practice safely and enjoy the process of learning something new. With a bit of patience and persistence, you’ll be wowing crowds in no time. And if you need a little extra help, don’t forget to check out the lessons at Riffhard where we offer tailored lessons to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence on stage.