Recently a pupil told me he was having back problems which he put down to the traditional footstool. I think this can particularly be an issue with newcomers to classical guitar playing when, coupled with other technical considerations, tension can easily be introduced which can make the whole playing experience uncomfortable.

Fortunately there are alternatives to footstools which allow the instrument to be played with both feet on the floor, as it were, thereby setting up a more natural seating position which should eliminate much of the tension created when using a footstool. Almost all of them attach to the side of the guitar with suction cups and straddle the left leg (for right-handed players), maintaining a correct holding position.

Probably the most popular model is the Ergoplay Gitano Professional model support but there are variations available including the Tappert and the more adjustable Troster models.

(to see an Ergoplay support in use visit: http://youtu.be/MVfFhcfnJec 
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Beginners, if you find changing chords quickly and cleanly hard going, read on.

The first thing you should do is try to memorise the chord shapes you wish to play in a piece or exercise. Next you need to hold down each of those chord shapes as cleanly as possible so all the notes play and sound as they should. At first you may have to deliberately place each finger on the correct string and fret and repeat the process when the chord changes - which is quite normal - but in time, and once you can easily recall chord shapes from memory the basics of this process will become more natural to you and your concentration can then be more focussed on how well you play the chords.

So, starting with a couple of chords which you feel comfortable playing and have committed to memory, play one a few times and then repeat the process with the second chord, and then back again and again and... Whether you are strumming or fingerpicking with your right hand (left for left-handed players) try to ...