Playing position

[Jacob Reinhart]

I am primarily a fingerstyle player and have been experimenting with my playing position. I have found that the "classical position" (guitar on my left leg neck up) seems to work best for me. I started with a foot stool but have read they can cause back issues. I now have one of the black cushions placed on the leg. Occasionally I use neither.
Question, does anyone play in this position with no foot stool or guitar support? Does it work for you?
Thanks

[antvas1963]

That’s how I play. Guitar on my left leg with a strap. I’ve tried so many times to play with the guitar on my right leg and no strap because it looks very comfortable. It causes too much pain in my left wrist.

[lar]

Check out Guitarlift. I don't have one but made something similar and it's very versatile.

[Nama Ensou]

Originally Posted by Jacob Reinhart

...does anyone play in this position with no foot stool or guitar support?

For some pieces I almost have to play in that position, other times I'll use my other leg, but usually if I'm playing over my left leg, I'll have my foot up on the toes, which I don't really notice unless I think about it.
Seem like I may be fairly lucky in being able to play in various positions, but my favorite will always be standing and with a strap.

[NormanKliman]

Originally Posted by antvas1963

...I’ve tried so many times to play with the guitar on my right leg and no strap because it looks very comfortable. It causes too much pain in my left wrist.

You gotta keep your wrist straight. When playing near the nut, that usually means keeping your elbow close to your waist.

[JonPR]

IMO, this is one of those "whatever works for you" questions.

The most important thing is that the fret hand (and wrist and arm) is in a comfortable position, and able to reach all the fretboard that it needs to.

That's the reason for classical position, because the guitar body is wedged firmly against the body by both legs and the right arm. The left hand doesn't support the neck and can easily reach the whole fretboard without extending the elbow. With the thumb on the back of rhe neck, the fingers have maximum reach in any one position.

But any position which keeps the guitar similarly steady, and allows full fret hand movement, will do. Hence the use of a strap (for some).

Personally, I generally play with the guitar on the right leg, but crossed over the left, so it brings the instument higher and I can hold it more firmly under my right arm.

A while ago I also discovered another highly efficient position for fingerstyle, which is with the right ankle crossed on the left knee. The right thigh is then much higher, and the guitar is really wedged against the body, so the neck moves around a lot less - certainly a lot less than it does in the usual (uncrossed) right leg position.

I realised that's why Bert Jansch used to play like that (I found I could play one of his most complex tunes more easily in this position):


You often see jazz or flamenco players in that position:



Still, I find this one uncomfortable after a while, so it's not one I generally use. I do play a fair number of classical pieces, but I generally use my crossed legs position, not the classical position. If I do play on left leg, I'll use a footstool to raise the leg, and haven't had any issues with that. I suspect any back issues arise for other reasons - you need to sit with the back straight, not leaning over the guitar. Not craning your neck forward to see what you're doing... The torso does need to turn slightly towards the left leg, so I guess that slight twist of the body might cause problems if held for too long.

[Don W]

I play both ways. It all depends on which shoulder is causing problems at the time. Generally though, I play my Larrivee on the right leg and the classical on the left. I use a foot stool for both (different heights) as I am not as flexible as I used to be with my legs.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Jacob Reinhart

I am primarily a fingerstyle player and have been experimenting with my playing position. I have found that the "classical position" (guitar on my left leg neck up) seems to work best for me. I started with a foot stool but have read they can cause back issues. I now have one of the black cushions placed on the leg. Occasionally I use neither.
Question, does anyone play in this position with no foot stool or guitar support? Does it work for you?
Thanks

Hi Jacob

There is a small strap with suction cup named NeckUP (invented by a player), and it falls into the category "guitar lift"

I've used them daily since 2005 on all my acoustics. They can be used left or right knee, and the primary purpose is to keep both feet flat on the floor and elevate the neck. They attach to the end pin/peg, or a second smaller suction cup for guitars without end pins.

Mini-Jumbo size…(larger lower bout than Dreadnought)



000-18 size…thin body, 12 fret neck/body join - instrument

You can shorten them till the neck is near-vertical.

I have never had it leave rings or marks in my finish, but someone here (one person) did mention they did. Like I said, I've used them for 16 years without incident.

I never leave them on the guitar when I'm through playing.

There are plastic sheets which will work with them to prevent marks.

Hope this adds to the discussion.

[DukeX]

I adopted the classical position 20+ years ago and never looked back. It doesn't matter what guitar (acoustic/electric) or style.

Sometimes I use a footstool, sometimes I sit in a low chair. Whatever works.

[Nama Ensou]

Originally Posted by DukeX

Whatever works.

This is my favored method too.

[rmp]

The neck up strap that Larry mentions solves the problem. Most comfortable way to play sitting ever.

[rllink]

I thought putting a foot up on a rest was better for the back. I put my foot up on a little six pack cooler that I have. Just the right height and it does double duty.

[hatamoto]

I can play in various positions. My most used one is foot stool, but not in a classical way. I simply raise my right leg so the guitar tilts a bit.

In quick occasions, I simply sit cross legged.

I also play in somewhat of a lotus position, on any flat surface. With acoustic I can play in that position for a long time, but with my electric my right leg falls asleep so I constantly move around from time to time.

I have no back problems.

[JERZEY]

Originally Posted by Jacob Reinhart

I am primarily a fingerstyle player and have been experimenting with my playing position. I have found that the "classical position" (guitar on my left leg neck up) seems to work best for me. I started with a foot stool but have read they can cause back issues. I now have one of the black cushions placed on the leg. Occasionally I use neither.
Question, does anyone play in this position with no foot stool or guitar support? Does it work for you?
Thanks

I play in the classical position from time to time. The majority of the time I play on my right leg.

I use an office chair with removable arms. I move my chair around constantly so I dont get to cramped up. Keeps me fresh.

Try the neckup. Its fantastic. If you have a gloss finish you can use guitar supports. All things you should check out.

[SprintBob]

Another vote for the Neckup, total game changer for me in terms of a consistent, stable, and super comfortable sitting position.