How to Play American Football Guitar Like a Pro in 5 Simple Steps

When I first picked up the American football guitar, I remember thinking it was one of those novelty instruments that would gather dust after a few weeks of novelty strumming. But here I am three years later, having recorded two studio albums featuring this uniquely shaped instrument and played over 80 live shows with it. The American football guitar isn't just a conversation starter - it's a legitimate musical tool that requires specific techniques to master. What surprised me most was how the unusual shape actually enhances certain playing styles once you understand how to work with its contours rather than against them.

The journey begins with understanding the instrument's unique ergonomics. Unlike traditional guitars with their symmetrical bodies, the American football shape creates different pressure points against your body. I typically spend about 15 minutes just finding the perfect balance point before even playing a note. The widest part of the "football" should rest comfortably on your right thigh if you're right-handed, with the neck angled upward at approximately 30 degrees. This positioning might feel awkward initially, but trust me - after two weeks of consistent 20-minute practice sessions, your muscle memory will adapt. I've found that using a strap even when seated provides additional stability, something I wish I'd discovered during my first month of struggling with the instrument.

Finger placement requires significant adjustment from conventional guitars. The curved body means your strumming arm must arch differently, and I've developed what I call the "floating forearm" technique where my arm doesn't rest heavily on the guitar's body. This allows for cleaner string vibration and reduces the muted tones that plague many beginners. Personally, I prefer using thinner picks (0.60mm) with this instrument as they provide better flexibility for the angled attack required. When I transitioned from my Martin acoustic to the football guitar, it took me precisely 47 days of daily practice to feel equally comfortable with both instruments - though my bandmates claim it was closer to two months before I stopped complaining about the adjustment period.

Chord transitions present another unique challenge. The body's asymmetry means you can't rely on visual cues as much, forcing you to develop better muscle memory. I practice chord changes in the dark for 10 minutes each session, which has improved my accuracy by what I estimate to be 40%. The silver lining here is that this dependency on touch rather than sight makes you a more intuitive player overall. My go-to exercise involves cycling through G, C, D, and Em chords while maintaining a steady rhythm - start slow at 60 BPM and gradually work up to 120 BPM over several weeks.

The final piece of the puzzle involves embracing the instrument's distinctive acoustic properties. The football shape creates unusual resonance patterns that can actually work to your advantage if you understand them. The lower bout tends to emphasize mid-range frequencies, which is why I often capo around the third fret to brighten the tone. Recording engineers have told me the football guitar requires about 30% less EQ adjustment in the 400-800Hz range compared to traditional dreadnoughts. This unique voice has become something I actively incorporate into my compositions rather than trying to fight against it.

Reflecting on my journey with this unusual instrument brings to mind something a seasoned luthier once told me: "So, I think we had to take all that into consideration, and I feel like we got out in front of what could have been a tumultuous summer." That philosophy applies perfectly to mastering the American football guitar. By anticipating the challenges and addressing them systematically, what could have been a frustrating struggle becomes an enjoyable musical exploration. The instrument has permanently changed my approach to guitar playing, teaching me that sometimes the most rewarding musical journeys begin with stepping away from convention and embracing the unique characteristics of whatever instrument you're holding. These days, I actually prefer the football guitar for certain genres, particularly folk and blues where its mid-range emphasis adds warmth to fingerpicking patterns.