Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing up

[Guyver1]

I tend to practice sitting down as most people (but as i play a King V 90% of the time i tend to practice in the 'classical' position, this also relates now when i'm playing my 'strat' style guitars (Ibanez Giger, Jackson 7 string COW) i play them on my left thigh instead of my right (imitates the king V position better)

But im still stuck with the same old situation of going from sitting down to standing up and losing that left arm/wrist 'comfort'.

I'm also trying to nail down my picking position and as soon as you stand up this also tends to go out the window.

Even tho i've been playing some 15 years on and off (just got back into playing after a 5 year break) its only now im really trying to practice more, improve technique, play more types of styles etc.

Any hints/tips on how to retain that sitting down 'comfort' other than having my guitar strap about 6 inches long would be gratefully received [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Jack Napalm]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

The one thing that has helped me is to shorten your strap so your guitar rests at the same position it is when you are sitting. As you get comfortable loosen the strap a 1/2" every few weeks or so. Slowly this will help you from looking like a geek.

Someone told me it's better to look like a geek while your playing than to sound like ass while your playing.

I had the same problem and this helped me, all though I still look like a geek.

[thetroy]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

I just rarely, if ever, practice sitting down. If you're going to be standing on stage you might as well be standing when you practice

[mjtripper]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

I use the previously mentioned geek looking method [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] When I play sitting down I still use the strap which keeps it off my leg by a little bit, actually it's very close to my classical guitar position which is how I got started anyway. Yeah, it looks dumb and I take some crap for it here and there but I'm past the point of caring. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[shredmonster]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

[ QUOTE ]
I use the previously mentioned geek looking method [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] When I play sitting down I still use the strap which keeps it off my leg by a little bit, actually it's very close to my classical guitar position which is how I got started anyway. Yeah, it looks dumb and I take some crap for it here and there but I'm past the point of caring. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

+1 3/4 of the time I practice sitting down and 1/4 standing.

Standing is still different because you have the weight of the guitar tugging at you differently than when sitting and the fretboard angle is also different. I have also noticed the strap seems to pull at your shoulder more when standing and it is a different feeling than when sitting. So I would still stand sometimes when practicing.

[Fragle]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

i tend to practice scales and stuff sitting down, and the songs i'm playing live standing up. best of both worlds imho. imho, playing the right guitar is very important....my neck through dean plays itself even standing up, whereas i almost have to fight my jackson king V when playing stuff high up the neck standing up due to the bolt on construction and flying V construction in general.
btw, you always can put your left foot on the monitor and put your guitar on your now raised thigh when playing live [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[mjtripper]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

[ QUOTE ]
you always can put your left foot on the monitor and put your guitar on your now raised thigh when playing live [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I play with my guitar so high if I did this I'd be kissing my knee. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Everybody is different and has to find their comfort position. When I'm sitting and can't find my strap I tend to hold my electric like my classical as for me it's just where my comfort zone is. I was always amazed that Steve Clark of Def Leopard could play his guitar at all with as low as he had it.

[skorb]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

[ QUOTE ]
I just rarely, if ever, practice sitting down. If you're going to be standing on stage you might as well be standing when you practice

[/ QUOTE ]
+1

I have never practiced electric guitar sitting down.

[jjw]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

you should be able to play your guitar at a lowish strap height like Paul gilbert does.Some wear guitars like bow ties!I mostly practice sitting sown on a comfy sofa but can play the same stuff standing up with respectfull strap height and guitars drowning out the drummer.
Concerning your picking hand issues when standing-you just have to find your comfort zone mate-we all pick in diferent ways(i normaly use finger movement most of time but swap to wrist if i want a louder attack or more speed)some use the arm in a rigid manner-there is no right way only the way that works for yourself-when standing playing adjust your guitar height to the level that works best

[mjtripper]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

[ QUOTE ]
If you're going to be standing on stage you might as well be standing when you practice

[/ QUOTE ]

Ahh, I don't know why I didn't think of this before but when I'm on stage with the jazz group or with the classical I'm sitting so I'm actually sitting more on stage then standing these days. Although I'm rarely on stage at all anymore these days.

[Ace]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

I play well both sitting and standing. When I am at practice, 9-10 hours a week, I am ALWAYS standing. Same as playing live(I'm not in a jazz or classical band). However, when I'm at home writing music, and sometimes when I'm in the studio tracking, I find it easier to play sitting down because I can sort of lock the guitar in place with my knees and stuff and I can move my left hand more freely around the neck without having to balance the weight of the guitar. Plus the fact that I'm not jumping around and swinging my guitar over my head does simplify playing a bit.

[horns666]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

I thought this thread was about how you prefer to pee.. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Soap]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

[ QUOTE ]
I thought this thread was about how you prefer to pee.. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Depends, if I'm ready for a crapper then I'll take a seat and pee while working on a crap job. If just peeing only, I'll stand. Whats aggrevating, go to the bathroom to pee and turn around and go back about five minutes later to crap. Why wasn't my crap ready five minutes before? What an inconvience.

[horns666]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

I hear you ..Loud N' Clear man..yes..now that IS educational stuff man!! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[VitaminG]

Re: Probably basic but.. sitting down to standing

the obvious hazard with that though, is when you finally drop your loaf, there is a danger that you'll get a yellow splashback. An uncomfortable enough sensation under most circumstances, but particularly so when you know you've just finished colouring the water.