Hi everyone, I recently started having pins and needles in my left hand after Paul, of this parish, commented on my very bent wrist when playing. (I’m right-handed.)
So I’ve been watching videos about straightening the wrist and adjusting how I hold my guitar.
I believe my guitar is a dreadnought, but I’m almost 6 ft with long limbs. I’m 60 and I only started playing in June but have played a lot since.
I tried pointing the guitar neck upwards and that does help my wrist, but it seems hard to keep the guitar in that position - it doesn’t want to stay elevated despite my strap. It actually put a lot of pressure on my left shoulder from my strap when I elevated it like that.
I was wondering about a cushion. Might not be cool but I don’t really care at this point. I feel I need a sculpted beanbag on my lap. (I also sometimes get thigh pain due to the guitar resting on it.)
A guitar teacher some time ago said I had bad posture when playing sitting done and was slumping over the guitar and fretting hand was being put in wrong angle, he said to try one of these. I use it most of the time now.
Hi Deb!
A pic of your guitar may be helpful as would knowing whether you play with it on your right or left leg… (BTW, are you right or left handed?).
I recall other threads here in the Community about holding the guitar & posture… some people prefer foot stools or guitar support devices like Guitarlift or Ergoplay. @Jamolay Josh, you have a lift device, don’t you? Can you help Deb out with her question?
Also Deb, if your strap is super slick, it’s going to support the guitar’s weight but not necessarily keep it in the correct position. A couple of my straps have a lambskin type of material on the shoulder side & they don’t slip at all…
Just a little food for thought!
Good luck!!!
Hi, Dandelion! As @CATMAN62 mentions I am an advocate of lifts (or supports). I use them in both steel string and classical. I can’t manage the typical western style, for reasons you are discovering with the wrist, but also my shoulders.
Foot stools like @AJSki2fly mentioned are popular as well, but I find them hard on the back, as do many others after years of use. Straps kill my shoulders and neck and I can’t stabilize the position I want.
There are a lot of lifts, so you would need to see what appeals to you. I haven’t tried any on a Dreadnaught, it is a lot of guitar. I like smaller guitars, and classical guitars are concert or 00 sized roughly.
As you figure it out, a throw pillow or a rolled up towel can work pretty well. I currently have one that uses suction cups, but those can be problematic for some guitars. Mine:
Thanks Joshua for the quick & thorough response!!!
BTW, I haven’t forgotten your offer of a place to stay if i ever want to attend the Colorado School of Lutherie… this is my 40th year of working for the FAA & I’m thinking maybe doing the 2 week intensive build class… not sure though. It’s a lot of money although the knowledge gained would be wonderful let alone having my own personal handbuilt guitar!
Thanks again!!!
Sure is more fun writing forum notes than working!
We have since moved from the house near the Colorado School of Lutherie, so I probably can’t follow through on that offer anymore. But I will meet you for a beer if you come!
Sounds great… too bad about the rental though! One problem is that I “jokingly” promised my wife that my last guitar would be my “LAST GUITAR”… then she bought me another one for Christmas!!! So, I already have ONE TOO MANY!!!
We’ve hijacked Deb’s thread long enough, though!!!
