I’m glad it worked out for you.
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I think you made a good choice. You can’t enjoy playing guitar if you aren’t comfortable.
I started to buy a good dreadnaught sized guitar but was never comfortable since I have short arms. I traded it in for a smaller 000 acoustic and was much happier which my purchase
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Hi Richard, I tried to comment on Justin’s how to hold video but it wouldn’t let me. You mentioned this thread there so I thought I’d try here.
Im a newbie on grade 1 and been working on a good relaxed position for my guitar. I tried classical with a foot stool for a bit but I find my legs/feet relax better with my feet on the ground. I bought a lower stool. However I’ve been thinking (maybe overthinking) about the angle of my thighs. They slant down a bit and it seems that 90° or slightly up is better. I can do this but then I’m back to my footstool. Before I look for a lower stool, I’m wondering if you think leg position is critical for playing and staying relaxed.
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It does depend on how you hold the guitar and whether it slides down the thigh.
I play in the classical position with either classical or steel string guitars (even electric if I pick one up again). I use a lift, rather than a foot stool and definitely have to have my thighs parallel to the floor. That requires very short seat with my short legs.
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Hi jim,
Go ahead and overthink it early on. Posture is a pretty important part of playing.
I personally need my thighs to be parallel and prefer knees slightly above my hip or the guitar slides down. I elevate the leg that is holding the guitar body. I have a foot rest that is about 5-3/4 inches that the elevated foot rests on and set my chair so my lowered thigh is pretty close to parallel with the floor. In classical position I elevate my left leg, in traditional position, it is my right (for playing right-handed). For reference, I am 6’3", and you may need to locate the right elevation for you.
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Hi Jim!
Have you tried a strap, even when sitting? If I’m on a chair or stool that doesn’t allow me to have my thighs more or less parallel to the floor, I use a strap to keep the guitar stable. I prefer “strapless” but it’s better than the guitar sliding down my leg…
Good luck!
Tod
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I thought about trying a lift but haven’t yet. My legs must be shorter than I think! I bought a low stool but it’s just not low enough. I may have to try a different one as I don’t like my foot on a foot stand. It’s partly why I’ve been trying the guitar on my right left but I’m back to using the foot stand tho lower than when I was playing classical.
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I’m finding that my guitar slides too and just figured i needed my knee up past 90°. I was surprised Justin didn’t talk about legs when he discussed holding the guitar. I’m gonna look for a lower stool so I don’t have to use a foot stand. Thanks for your input.
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Thanks Tod. I just ordered a strap after reading the comments on Justin’s holding a guitar video. So is the basic idea that the strap holds the guitar where you want it and the guitar no longer sits on your leg?
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I use a strap when I’m sitting down as well. The guitar will probably rest gently on your leg, but the strap keeps the neck from tipping. It’s just another anchor point. Good luck!
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Are you playing a classical guitar and want to play in the classical position? Does your guitar have strap buttons? My classicals don’t and they aren’t common on classical guitars.
I never found a strap comfortable, especially in the highly angled position typical of classical style. That is why I went to the lift. I even have a lift for my electric (which I haven’t used in ages).
With short legs it was hard to find a seat low enough. My inseam is maybe 27”, so I need a seat at about 15-16” height. You need to search for those.
I have been using a SageWork lift which is great, but now I am trying to sell it to move to a Woodside lift. I like that style better.
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Thanks Eric. I’m looking forward to trying the strap and adding some stability!
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I’m playing a Taylor acoustic so the strap should be no problem. I’m gonna try rock position instead of classical for now. Time will tell if I try classical position again. Just trying to find comfort where it’s “easier” to get my body to relax — far more challenging than I ever would have expected.
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Interestingly, I went with the classical position for my shoulders and neck. Then I started classical guitar. I really could not stand or accommodate the “cowboy” position over the right leg. It really felt like a struggle.
But… as I have been playing longer (3 years now) I find it is easier and easier to play in ways I never liked before. Now, if I don’t have my lift, I can still play. I think I am just getting more and more comfortable as a player, these things are less important.
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Soooo looking forward to that point Joshua! I’ll let you know how the “cowboy” position works out. I was finding that I was always tense so I’m taking a step back and thinking about posture, guitar position, and staying relaxed.
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As a couple of responses above indicate… it adds stability and I find that I am less tense knowing that the guitar isn’t going to fall. I can hold it less firmly which makes me feel more relaxed while playing… which means I’m not as tired at the end of the practice session.
When I’m sitting back & relaxing on a couch, my posture is terrible but again I don’t have to worry about dropping anything so I get that same feeling… but I find that my back & shoulders are sore afterwards!
Try the strap & let us know if it helps!
Tod
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Looking forward to trying my strap for sure. Gotta get better at not tensing up when I play.
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Thanks for all your advice @Jamolay @sequences @CATMAN62 @ericmfarmer !! I’ve been using my strap for a few days now, and I’m loving it. It has really helped with staying relaxed while keeping the guitar stable. It’s a win all the way around. Plus, I’ve been playing around with my son’s electric guitar, and I’m finding it easier to play especially chords. I may have to get one after he takes his back. He’s on a 5 week rock climbing trip so I’ve got some time to play with it.
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I’ve been practicing for about 8 weeks and I’m still trying to figure out how to properly hold the guitar in a sitting position. I’m using a dreadnought acoustic guitar (so it’s a little bulky.) Should the guitar be flush against the front of body or should the neck of the guitar be moved forward so that the guitar makes an angle with the body ( making the guitar angled to the side of the body instead of flush with the front ) . Also , should the neck be pointing up or is it ok for the neck to be parallel to the floor. I tried to elevate the neck higher but I can’t find a good position to do that. The only way for me to get the neck higher is to elevate my right foot but then the guitar sits high above my chest. I wish there were some photos from different angles especially looking down from the top so I can see how it sits against the body.
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Hi @GeneK, whatever feels comfortable to you and allows you to play with relaxed shoulder and arm, without over bending your wrist, is a good position. There’s not one and only correct position.
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