Am I doing it wrong? Guitar position

[DimEyeGuitarGuy]

Hey folks,
So I've watched a ton of videos since returning to guitar. (28 years away). Its seems that nearly all, if not all, hold the guitar with the guitar waist resting on their thigh. Even if they're using a strap.

I simply cannot do that. It is extremely uncomfortable for my left side shoulder and wrist. I even remember as a teen when I was learning to play that I didn't like to hold the guitar like that.

Maybe it's because I have shorter arms but I've always preferred, and find comfortable, holding a guitar with a strap (either sitting or standing) where the guitar is elevated a bit on my torso. Basically I like the top of the waist of the guitar nestled right up under my chest muscle. And the guitar is typically angled up a bit, and not horizontal like I see in a lot of videos.

Is this wrong or is it one of those, whatever floats your boat kinda deals?

Thanks for helping.

[rokdog49]

First off, "whatever works" is my motto...and, if you are comfy with your positioning, be free to ignore any criticism you may encounter.
I can say this because I pretty much do the same as you when standing. When sitting, it's on my knee but in either case the neck is angled upwards.

[3notes]

No. It's not wrong.

Guitar position 101 .... I was taught to hold the guitar in a position.... THAT IS MOST COMFORTABLE TO YOU.

And that's it. Case closed.

Enjoy the tone...

[Athens]

I agree with the comments about "whatever works for you".

Have you looked into 12 fret instruments? That would shorten the reach. Maybe as a experiment you can try capo'ing for a bit and see if that makes any difference....?

[joelhunn]

I took classical guitar lesson many years ago (wish I had kept it up). The classical position has some real advantages. Guitar on the left thigh with the neck high in the air. When learning bar chords, I had persistent pain in my left wrist and moved to that position. took a lot of strain off of my left wrist. I moves back to the more "normal" position eventually, I'm not really sure why.

[Big Band Guitar]

If it works for you then it is not wrong.

[Bob Womack]

I've been playing for forty-eight years and I'm the same. I use a hybrid left-hand position, sometimes wrapped around the neck, sometimes with my thumb in the middle of the back of the neck. You've got to wear the guitar higher for that left hand position.





Bob

[TBman]

I play seated wearing a strap and the guitar is up well off my thigh. That's just too low for me.

You have to find what's comfortable for you.

[BT55]

I’ve had some arm problems and looked at the Alexander technique. I now straighten my back more and that alleviated my arm problems. Guitar position is not the only thing you should look at.

[guitar george]

For every 'great' guitar player, be it classical or steel string acoustic, there is probably a precise way to hold the guitar that is learned from many years of lessons, study and practice. Every little adjustment in technique could make a difference. For everyone else, any way that is comfortable is the way to go.

[simpl man]

I go for more of the classical position. It may not be right, but it's what is most comfortable for me.

[Matt G]

Using a strap while seated seems to be what Don Ross does a lot:



I've been meaning to install a strap pin on my most-played guitar so that I can do the same thing.

Matt

[fazool]

It is, in my opinion, a tragic mistake to attribute characteristics of "right" and "wrong" to such things. People can make suggestions of things that are more commonly effective but no one can tell you what is wrong for you.

Your body has it's own geometry and ergonomics.


The only "right" answer is the answer YOU decide is right.....for YOU.

[3notes]

Originally Posted by joelhunn

I took classical guitar lesson many years ago (wish I had kept it up). The classical position has some real advantages. Guitar on the left thigh with the neck high in the air. When learning bar chords, I had persistent pain in my left wrist and moved to that position. took a lot of strain off of my left wrist. I moves back to the more "normal" position eventually, I'm not really sure why.

You moved back to the "normal" position because that's what works for you...now.

[tippy5]

If I am playing garage rock, or fast rhythm acoustic strumming, I like it strapped a little low for swagger. Not the look as much as the attitude of a "live" pocket.

But for thoughtful, concentration music I like it up a little higher. Lately I have experimented with super high strap sitting back, semi reclined. This allows my arm on a right angle for a different finger style right hand access. With less wrist angle and more elbow angle.

Mostly a sitting player now. I have long arms so I usually don't even strap it up. I declined a strap button installed from James, having recently received a Goodall dreadnaught. I will strap it folk style at the headstock when and if I bring a guitar of this magnitude out in public.

I can't add any help to OP after reading all the utilitarian ideas presented. But with the nuance of a forum like this i thought I'd share some of my ergonomic experience that a quarter inch here or there can really benefit you and your music.