Gizmos for a comfortable playing position

[Dr.K-Miller]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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! ^^

[woyvel]

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.

WOW! I had a dream about doing that!

[billkath]

WOW! I had a dream about doing that!

I think the day I start dreaming about guitars and balloons instead of the normal mucky stuff I dream about is the day I give up guitar!!!

[jazzbow]

Call me cheap but how about crossing your leg over (ooer), may help with wierd dream on recent post!!
Or even right booted foot placed on edge of left booted sole, make T shape with soles (Ahh! Soles..).Works a treat. Neat. Cheap!

[Dad3353]

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.

Good evening Dougal...
I wouldn't listen too much to Gumbo; his ideas are not always practical.
Try these, perhaps, to look a little less 'goofy'... They look about the right height, but I must admit I didn't inspect too closely the soles. You may note that the left thigh is left conveniently bare for the guitar. (Just for the left foot, of course; regular cabaret shoe 'de rigeur' for the right, question of style...)
Hope this helps.

[matt.guitarteacher]

Or even right booted foot placed on edge of left booted sole, make T shape with soles (Ahh! Soles..).Works a treat. Neat. Cheap!

I actually tore up quite a few pair of (non-athletic) shoes doing that before I figured out what was causing it.

[DustinK]

I have tried about everything for this and found a solution that has really worked out. I had a hand injury years back really have to keep the guitar kneck elevated to keep the strain off my hand so I can enjoy playing. Using classical foot rests get the guitar in the correct position for me, but it twists the body around too much and just sort of moves the strain points around. For me, the most comfortable solution I've found is the "Kneck Up" product. It comes in a 6in and 4in width - I use them both. The 4in works on my Godins and thin line hollow body electrics, the 6inch works on all my accoustic and classical guitars. It bascially uses a leather strap and either one suction cup and the end pin, or two suction cups (in the case there is no end pin). The suction cups on these wear like iron. The leather strap is very comfortable and a big improvement over the more rigid types of solutions - I had a lot of success with the Gitano product for a while, but that model requires regular replacement of the suction cups and it is hard to get replacements. Also, it is metal instead of leather and once I tried the "kneck up" product with it's leather brace to elevate the guitar, I could never go back. There are more options, but the two I mention here worked best for me. I found these at strings by mail

Strings By Mail *Strings, Accessories, Music and more

They have an entired section dedicated to these types of products. Hope it works out for you.