Do you use a strap while playing seated

[Misifus]

I usually play standing, but standing or seated, I use a strap. Let me amplify. All of my guitars, mandolins, and basses have straps on them all of the time. When I pick up an instruments, I slip the strap over my shoulder. It’s just automatic.

[TBman]

Yes, it keeps the guitar in the same place, everyday, everytime. It's also a neck-up device for me so I have an easier time playing.

[Glennwillow]

Do you use a strap while playing seated

Rarely. If I have a strap on the guitar because I used the guitar recently to play out in public, then yes. But mostly I took all the straps off my guitars because I play out so rarely anymore.

A strap does help hold the guitar up a little when seated, but a strap is also a liability when moving a guitar around or putting a guitar in a case. Not wanting to ding up my guitar, I tend to remove straps as much as possible.

- Glenn

[Silly Moustache]

No. When I play seated, usually only when rehearsing , or at intimate jams, the guitars waist sits on my right leg and the opposite side rests under my right arm. That's all that is necessary to hold it in place.

The only instrument for which I always use a strap is my mandolin.

When I play in front of an audience, I always stand, and use my straps - home-made leather straps but I guess you've already seen them. .

[Gordon Currie]

I haven't played guitars without a strap in 4 decades. Electric or acoustic. Once I got used to it, I found playing without a strap cause a clear (to me) drop in ergonomics.

Without a strap, your ability to put the guitar into the best position is directly limited by the shape, size and weight of various parts of the guitar. And if you aren't able to get the position correct (for your own physiology), then you will expend energy fighting your physiology and making everything a little harder.

Multiply that by years or decades and you get a massive waste of time, hand injuries, and soul-sucking despair over why you haven't improved more.

[Kyle76]

Yes, always. Acoustic or electric.

[Joe Beamish]

Never. I don't even know where my straps are at this point.

[JTFoote]

Nope, not me. I use a NeckUp. I have several straps, but since I took up playing fingerstyle, and use a stool or chair, the NeckUp is my tool of choice. I still use a strap with my Strat, but that's just for recording purposes, as I only use an acoustic when playing out.

... JT

[Ed66]

On all my guitars at home I always use a strap. Makes it easy when I have to get up and move around. On the two I have in my office, no, I'm usually only playing those for 5 or 10 minutes at a time.

[frankmcr]

Strap while sitting unless you never play standing (or if you somehow play standing w/o a strap).

Keeping the guitar in the same position always just makes sense.

[antvas1963]

I wish I could play a guitar sitting on my right thigh without a strap but it is so uncomfortable to my left wrist. i gotta have a strap. I have Dunlop strap locks on two straps and all my guitars.

[AZLiberty]

No.

I have no idea how people do this. Every time I try the strap falls off my shoulder and I get all tangled up.

[JayBee1404]

Nope, no strap when playing seated.

The guitar sits perfectly on my right leg, neck parallel to the floor, which is the most comfortable position for me. I’ve tried the ‘neck up in the air’ position favoured by some, but it’s just so unnatural and uncomfortable and makes my left shoulder ache after a few minutes.

With the guitar sitting securely on my right leg, a strap is simply an unnecessary encumbrance.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[Goodallboy]

I don't use a strap when seated, it gets in my way and annoys me.

[gibpicker]

Thanks for all the thoughts!