5 Simple Guitar Accessories That Make Playing Easier

If Guitar Is Hard on Your Hands, Neck, or Back – Try This First

If playing guitar is taking a toll on your hands, your neck, or your back, there are a few simple things we can do to make it better.

This is not about buying a pile of fancy gadgets. In fact, most of these ideas are either things you already own or small adjustments you can try right away.

When guitar feels comfortable, you play more.
When you play more, you improve faster.
And most importantly – you have more fun.

These ideas come directly from conversations inside my community. Real players shared what helped them, and today I want to pass that along to you.

1. Stop Your Pick From Spinning (Without Buying Anything)

A lot of players struggle with their pick spinning or slipping out of their fingers.

Yes, you can buy grippy picks or little adhesive stickers that help. And those can work.

But here’s what I recommend trying first:

Practice moving the pick around in your fingers using only one hand.

• Rotate it with your index and middle finger
• Shift it back into position
• Cradle it and reset it
• Even try adjusting it using just your thumb and index

When I was new, a friend told me to practice this. It felt silly at first. But once I got used to manipulating the pick without looking or using my other hand, I gained a massive amount of control.

That control translates directly into smoother strumming and better rhythm.

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2. Fix Your Guitar Position (The Biggest One)

In my opinion, your guitar position makes the biggest difference in comfort and playability.

Start with the basics:

• Left leg or right leg?
• Sitting or standing with a strap?
• Shoulders relaxed?
• Neck upright instead of hunched?

Then experiment with raising the guitar slightly.

You can use:

• A simple footstool
• A foam block with elastic
• A rolled-up towel
• A small lap support

The goal is simple:
Raise the guitar so your wrist bends less, your shoulders relax, and you are not craning your neck downward.

Even subtle posture adjustments reduce tension. Tension anywhere in the body affects your playing. If you are curious how posture impacts muscle efficiency and tension, you can read more about it here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture

Remove the strain, and suddenly practicing feels lighter.

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3. Try Different Strings (They Matter More Than You Think)

Strings are technically part of the guitar – but they behave like an accessory.

Two string sets can be labeled the same gauge yet feel completely different.

On acoustic guitar, most players use standard gauge strings. But if pressing down feels hard, try light gauge strings. They require less pressure and can make the entire instrument feel more forgiving.

On electric guitar, I’ve personally used two string brands with identical specs on paper – but one felt tighter and stiffer to me.

Experiment. It is worth it.

Sometimes the right string choice removes a hidden barrier you didn’t even realize was there.

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4. Wrist Pain, Arthritis, and Using a Capo to Make Playing Easier

Many players quietly deal with:

• Arthritis
• Tendonitis
• Tingling
• Hand fatigue

I personally use a wrist brace at night when needed. I am not giving medical advice here – but if you are experiencing tingling or pain, it is always worth speaking with a professional.

From a guitar perspective, here is a powerful trick:

Use a capo.

Place it on the first or second fret. The capo presses the strings down slightly, which means your fretting hand does not have to work as hard.

Your open chords become easier immediately.

Also, one simple tip from a physiotherapist I spoke with: warm your hands under warm water before playing. Warm muscles perform better. This relates to basic muscle physiology – warmed tissue moves more efficiently. You can read more about muscle warm-up principles here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warm-up

Small changes. Big difference.

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5. Improve Your Lighting

Poor lighting causes squinting.
Squinting creates tension.
Tension affects posture.

Even tension in your face and neck can subtly influence how relaxed you feel while playing.

A simple clip-on light for your music stand or a brighter overhead lamp can completely remove that strain.

It feels small. But it matters.

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Bonus: Sometimes the Best “Accessory” Is a Smaller Guitar

One of my students solved several comfort issues simply by switching from a large dreadnought to a smaller-bodied guitar.

Smaller guitars:

• Sit closer to your body
• Require less shoulder reach
• Often feel more manageable

Sometimes it is not about toughness. It is about fit.

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The Real Goal: Remove the Small Barriers

This is not about gadgets.
It is not about buying your way into better playing.

It is about removing small physical barriers that quietly push people away from guitar.

You do not need to tough it out.
You do not need to prove anything.

You just need a setup that lets you enjoy making music.

If you want a structured, step-by-step path so you can improve without guesswork, I invite you to check out my All-Access Pass:

The All-Access Pass: Your All-Access Pass to Mastering Guitar
https://goodguitarist.com/premium-courses/

No more random YouTube rabbit holes. No more wasted time. You get step-by-step courses, exclusive bonuses, and a private community to guide you every step of the way.

Have a fun time practicing and I’ll see you soon!
-James