GUITAR
STAND UP , SIT DOWN , PLAY , PLAY , PLAY : POSTURE TIPS FOR GUITARISTS | David Harsh
Sometimes we need to take a break from talking about music to attend to the details that help us play the music we want to play . One of those details has to do with this important question : Do you stand or sit when you play the guitar ? Maybe you do both . Let ’ s take a few minutes to consider some ideas and strategies that can help you as you spend time playing your guitar .
I highly recommend watching the accompanying video to this article , because I demonstrate multiple posture examples . You can watch it by clicking below ( while it ’ s available ).
STANDING & SEATED PLAY For about 30 years , I ’ ve been playing acoustic dreadnought guitars or a similar shape . The shape of this guitar allows me to rest my arm on the outside of the guitar body , with the elbow of my strumming arm at about a 90-degree angle in neutral position , as my strumming hand addresses the strings . I typically don ’ t use a strap on my acoustic when I ’ m sitting down and practicing , because I ’ m able to hold it against me with my arm , but when I stand , a strap is absolutely necessary .
EVALUATING POSTURE When it comes to standing play , it ’ s important for us to keep our bodies centered over our feet , with equal distribution of our weight on each foot . Standing for long periods of time can be tiring , so be sure and have good support in your shoes .
When possible , I also recommend using an anti-fatigue standing mat . This is especially helpful when I ’ m practicing on a harder floor for long periods of time .
On the upside , standing does give us a lot more mobility . For example , if I ’ m leading worship , I prefer to fade to the side when I finish singing ( so I ’ m not just standing at a mic during an instrumental section ) and then I move back to the mic , to show everyone that we ’ ll be singing again .
STRAP LENGTH I practice seated most of the time , usually without a strap . But when it comes to standing , I ’ ve made sure my strap is adjusted to a length that allows my fretting hand and forearm to hold the guitar at a similar angle to when I sit . Note that the neck of the guitar will be more vertical when I stand , but my fretting hand and forearm should maintain a similar angle as they approach the guitar neck . My upper arm will be closer to my body when I sit , and further away from my body when I stand , but everything else should look and feel very similar .
If you ’ re unsure of the strap length you need for standing play , I encourage you to first get
86 July 2022
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