Strumming Arm Position with Acoustic Guitar presses into arm

Domple

Hi all,

I have been practicing guitar for around 4 months and have the Yamaha FG700MS. I have had the same issue since I started of the guitar pressing into my strumming arm, its not to the point of numbness but it’s uncomfortable and i can feel my arm going heavy after about 20 minutes. I have tried repositioning but nothing is working for me, I am 5ft 9 so I dont think the guitar for me is too big but I could be wrong. I have tried the classical position but do not find it comfortable for playing chords. I am thinking I may need a smaller guitar, are there any good smaller guitars that any of you could suggest for me? Any other advice is great too, thanks you!

Here are some pictures to help see my position and the issue: https://imgur.com/a/EBDnxfC

barry2tone

Hi Domple,
there are some useful suggestions  about general tissue condition and preparation this current thread.

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/2155208#Comment_2155208

Domple

Thanks for the great suggestion will give the stretches a try.

CarpeDiem

It's difficult to tell from the photos, but do you have a footstall to place under your left leg, as the guitar looks like it's sitting too high under your right arm. I play guitar rested on my left leg, as this is closer to it's position when stood up playing, so may be worth a try. It's probably worth booking up some face-to-face lessons as a good tutor should be able to position the guitar correctly for you.

Domple

No not footstall, normally i sit on the floor with crossed legs, or on a small stool. The tutor idea is probably looking like the best at this moment, thanks!

VimFuego

yup, looks like the guitar is too high (oddly enough, when sitting I have the opposite problem and have to raise my right leg up), try playing either as carpe says on a raised left leg ala classical position or mebbe flat right leg. 

EDIT: just saw you say you play cross legged on the floor? If so, that's a pretty bad position to play, if you don't mind me saying. Try and get into the habit of playing stood up if you can, and certainly try sitting on a chair with your thighs parallel to the ground.

roberty

I sit up on the arm of the chair when I practice   good pos for me. Drum stools are good too