Gizmos for a comfortable playing position

dougal · #1 12-03-2009, 05:37 PM

After experimenting a bit with playing positions, I've settled on the classical position (guitar on left leg, lower bout resting on right inner thigh, neck inclined at about 10 o'clock). This requires either the left leg or the instrument to be raised. I just rest my left foot on my guitar case, which elevates it about 6". This works, but looks a bit goofy.

There are various products out there --- The Dynarette cushion that raises the guitar, and various footstools for the left foot. Have you seen anything like this that you recommend? Thanks in advance.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #2 12-03-2009, 05:42 PM

What about the little foot stands that classical guitarists use?

dougal · #3 12-03-2009, 06:05 PM

Yep, guess I'll give one of those a try. Thanks. I see they're available in the $10-20 dollar range.

GodinFan · #4 12-03-2009, 06:52 PM

I tried a footstool. I found it put too much weight on one buttock.

A strap, adjusted to bring the guitar up to that position is fine, and means my standing and sitting guitar positions are the same.

tonedeaf · #5 12-03-2009, 09:49 PM

I use the footrest BigDaddy posted a picture of. Works well for me. It is adjustable so I can set it to get as much thigh on the chair as possible and limit the "butt burn".

randyc · #6 12-03-2009, 10:27 PM

Keeping eventual intentions in mind, for me:

learning a tune = perched on a stool in front of the music stand

practising a song = always standing (music stand optional)

playing a tune = any comfortable means of squeezing onto the "stage" of the venue

derek · #7 12-04-2009, 09:11 AM

I just bought a guitar that had that stuff built in. Little more pricey that way, but then you are not reliant on gadgets. YMMV

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #8 12-04-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek

I just bought a guitar that had that stuff built in. Little more pricey that way, but then you are not reliant on gadgets. YMMV

How about a shoe that has this built in? A little more pricey, but...

Doctor Jeff · #9 12-04-2009, 10:57 AM

Paul Galbraith is an excellent classical guitarist who specializes in playing extended-course guitars. He plays his guitar upright like a cello, with an end spike.

Paul Galbraith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I used to play classical in the usual position, but in my old age I've gotten lazy and pretty much play classical and jazz in the "couch position". I think you have to find your own comfortable position. I find that it is easier to finger difficult arpeggios which require you to lift your hand high above the fingerboard with the left leg elevated, as above, but for run-of-the-mill chordage a more horizontal position is OK.

RAQ · #10 12-04-2009, 11:11 AM

There's something called the 'Ergoplay' lap rest isn't there, which raises the guitar not your leg; but I assume that only fits classical/acoustic models. For everything else the 'Joe Pass' strap position seems the most practical for raising the guitar into a good position for playing, but I find it extremely uncomfortable to be trussed up. Lately I have tried to compromise by sitting on very low chairs/stools that naturally bring your knees (and instrument) up into a better position. I find even the classical footstool leaves the guitar too low.

JohnW400 · #11 12-04-2009, 11:58 AM

I use the Dynarette Cusion. I have the large but I may buy the small as well.

derek · #12 12-04-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

How about a shoe that has this built in? A little more pricey, but...

LOL! Thanks for that. Yeah, I could see it happening, but might make you walk funny when you walk to the car from the gig.

hot ford coupe · #13 12-04-2009, 08:11 PM

I used to play without a strap in a position similar to what Barney Kessel did. After a while, I started to have major back trouble (not from playing guitar) and couldn't get into that position anymore. Classical position was better but it made the neck seem too long. I decided to compromise and use the strap to hold the guitar in between the two positions similar to the Joe Pass position. That way if I stand up or sit down, the guitar is in the same position same as Godinfan. Any other position and I sound like I don't know what I'm doing. I tried out some Gretsch guitars today and wasn't able to borrow a strap. I left the store with my head down and my tail between my legs. As an aside, I wasn't that impressed with the instruments including a new White Falcon.

dougal · #14 12-06-2009, 11:02 PM

It's all about what you get used to, I guess. Sounds like all you guys have found something that works for you. I'm tempted by the Dynarette cushion, but that's a bit pricy. Think I'll waste 15 bucks on a footstool and see how that goes. Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions, and the chuckles.

bkdavidson · #15 12-07-2009, 02:06 PM

Anything on this link will work if a footstool doesn't do it for you: Guitar Supports : Strings By Mail I've tried those cushions, but they didn't seem particularly stable, and you can't fit them in a gig bag. I used an A-frame in college, which works wonderfully, as long as the chair you're sitting in isn't too high. If your legs are sloped down, the guitar will try to slide off. This all really pertains to classical guitars, though. If you're playing a guitar that you can use a strap for, I do the same thing as GodinFan and others suggest: wear the guitar at a level so it's in the same position whether standing or sitting.

X-500 · #16 12-07-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougal

"Have you seen anything like this that you recommend? "

I know you're looking for gizmos for guitar position. However, since comfort was discussed, I gota give this stool a plug. I bought the
Roc n Soc stool two years ago and have loved it from day one. The ergonomically designed seat is very derriere friendly!

I can sit on it for hours at a time without fatigue.

Goofsus4 · #17 12-09-2009, 04:54 PM

I use classical guitar position too. I use the el cheapo foot stool show in BDLH's pic. It works fine for me. I play my classical guitar for chord melody/solo type stuff. When I play my electric, though, I rely on the strap to position the guitar properly and support the extra weight even when sitting. When standing, I like to really extend my strap and keep the guitar really low so I can do my Pete Townsend windmills properly. I like that Dynacushion thing, though - I had no idea such a thing existed!

brad4d8 · #18 12-10-2009, 08:37 AM

For years I played only classical, but the last few years I've gotten back into other types of music. I use the classical position most of the time, but I have a special footstool (actually two)- a shoeshine box. They are just the right height for my usual chair, are extremely sturdy, and have room for extra strings, tools and accessories inside. I use one to store classical strings, etc. and one for steel strings and accessories.
Hey, in this economy I can always set up a shoe shine stand for a little additional income

Brad

dougal · #19 12-10-2009, 02:14 PM

Thanks brad4d8. I like that idea. Not sure where to get one of those, though.

cosmic gumbo · #20 12-10-2009, 06:33 PM

I've rigged a couple helium balloons with strings, one on the headstock and one on the endpin. I just have the guitar floating right in the playing position I need.

Fritzjazz · #21 12-11-2009, 07:33 AM

There actually is a guitar holder/fixture that holds the guitar in playing position for you. It is similar to a drum stand. You can adjust the guitar upon the stand into any playing position you like. You can adjust the height of the instrument, the tilt of it (toward you or away from your body) and the angle of the neck.

I have sucessfully used it to use two instruments in one song- quickly switching back and forth by having one on a strap (a mandolin or archtop guitar) and a Nylon string on the stand already "floating" in mid air on the stand.

I saw Steve Howe with Yes back in the early 70's use a custom made contraption that had about a half dozen instruments mounted to it in playing position and he would just give it a whirl to play another instrument.

Fritzjazz

JohnW400 · #22 12-11-2009, 08:39 AM

I don't know if you've seen this one. It is a bit pricey for what it is.

Guitar Salon International - Aria Guitar Rest (Black)

And as far as that Steve Howe gizmo, I remember seeing him use it as well. I friend of mine made his own out of a mike stand and a guitar stand. Of course he was in a Yes tribute type band at the time. Now adays they do sell similar products. I'm sure a google search would turn something up.

brad4d8 · #23 12-11-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougal

Thanks brad4d8. I like that idea. Not sure where to get one of those, though.

I got mine at tag sales. However, I saw a nice one this weekend at TJ Maxx, around $20. I'm pretty sure this time of year you should be able to find one fairly easily. Of course, they come with shoe polish and accessories.

Brad

dougal · #24 12-11-2009, 10:29 PM

Man, there is a ton of stuff out there. Thanks to everyone for the window shopping trip.

P.J. · #25 12-12-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-500

I know you're looking for gizmos for guitar position. However, since comfort was discussed, I gota give this stool a plug. I bought the
Roc n Soc stool two years ago and have loved it from day one. The ergonomically designed seat is very derriere friendly!

I can sit on it for hours at a time without fatigue.

I have one of those, too. They are comfortable!

=-) PJ

Dr.K-Miller · #26 12-13-2009, 06:59 AM

Hello everyone,

When I was playing alot classical guitar (several years ago) I switched from the typical footstool to the Dynarette. I was amazed by it and never regreted getting one.
Especially for studying long hours it's great as you're sitting naturally (& suposedly you get no health issues from long term use of the foot stool).

When I switched to an archtop guitar I kept the dynarrette for studying/practicing when I'm not standing up - same as the electric & I feel free to change legs (i.e. use the Dynarette on the right leg - not following the classical guitar pose).

In any case I would strongly recommend it's use. The only problem is figuring out which one you want i.e. the small or the big one. I had to buy both & I was lucky enough to be able to sell the big one (I kept the small) to a fellow guitarist.

Regards.

Meggy · #27 12-13-2009, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAQ

There's something called the 'Ergoplay' lap rest isn't there, which raises the guitar not your leg; but I assume that only fits classical/acoustic models. For everything else the 'Joe Pass' strap position seems the most practical for raising the guitar into a good position for playing, but I find it extremely uncomfortable to be trussed up. Lately I have tried to compromise by sitting on very low chairs/stools that naturally bring your knees (and instrument) up into a better position. I find even the classical footstool leaves the guitar too low.

I have an Ergorest or whatever it's called for my classical guitar. It fixed onto the side with soft sucker pads. For me it gives a better playing position than the standard footstool approach. I wanted to use it for my jazz archtop too but it is too wide to fit properly. So it has been something like the "Joe Pass" strap position that you mention. But I have to say I don't find this ideal at all. I might try the Dynarette cushion thing that has also been mentioned as I haven't seen them before.

dougal · #28 11-05-2010, 11:23 PM

After trying a bunch of things (not the helium balloons, though), I finally sprang for the Dynarette cushion today, and I gotta say it is great. Should have done this months ago.

Scotto · #29 11-06-2010, 12:02 AM

Good drum throne works for me as it looks good on stage and sits a little lower than a normal chair so my feet are on the ground and there is no need for water balloons or high heel shoes.

CGKnight · #30 11-06-2010, 02:06 AM

For regular (fingerstyle) guitar, I haven't had the chance to buy any 'gizmo' of this sort, except for footstools - and those have always caused back ache for me. But the Dynarette concept is nice, and so (since they aren't available in my country) I have come to use a mat, folded and doubled up, as an equivalent. I'm happy to say that it works pretty well! ^^