Playing guitar standing instead of sitting
- Thread starter Lionsblood79
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Lionsblood79
Swimmin with bowlegged women
I hear alot of people saying to not look at your fretboard at all?! As a new player this seems VERY counter productive, it's not like I've been playing for 5, 10+ years to where I know the fretboard with my eyes closed. I'd love to get to that point, but that seems like it would come after building up a solid foundation over at least a couple years.
wheresthefbomb
SS.org Regular
Me learning 15 second sections of Between the Buried and Me songs: 😎😎
I don't even learn the shreddy parts, but I remember thinking I was cool as fuck learning the Selkies riff in high school.
The sooner you start, the sooner you'll have that muscle memory, and the longer you wait the longer you'll spend training yourself to look. Doesn't necessarily have to be every time, just make a habit of it. I really recommend using a blindfold.
EDIT: Also, you should always sit down to pee, don't be a cretin.
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CanserDYI
Yeah, No, Definitely.
Oh yeah, I have plenty of memories of 15 year old me doing the selkies riff and my friends doing weird 7/8 dancing high as shit. Good times.EDIT: BACK TO THE THREAD 😅 I think OP needs to wear a strap at all times, then standing wont be an issue.
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nickgray
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It depends on the angle. Some players favor holding the neck at a bit of an angle so that you can easily see the fretboard (although that might not be the reason for holding it this way). Some hold it so that you can only see the side dots (again, might not be the actual reason at all). I strongly prefer the former myself.
Imo, it's a poor advice because tons of pro players, as you've probably noticed, do look at their fretboards. Unless looking at the fretboard or keeping the neck at an angle that allows you to look at the fretboard somehow impedes you, there's no reason to change.
Lionsblood79
Swimmin with bowlegged women
I agree. At my level, I have enough trouble playing tightly while looking, so I cant even fathom playing blind. It would sound like a toddler picked up the guitar and started playing it. Kudos to the people who can play with their eyes closed or blindfolded or whatever, but I'm no where near that level yet.
MFB
Banned
EDIT: BACK TO THE THREAD 😅 I think OP needs to wear a strap at all times, then standing wont be an issue.
Who the fuck doesn't use a strap while sitting down? I just leave them on each guitar I can, and then you're roughly in the same playing position sitting down OR standing up.
It doesn’t really matter for me. One tip I’d recommend is to listen to your favorite songs that you know how to play loudly, and then act as if you’re in the band, and play standing up/jumping around/whatever. Is it goofy? Yes. Is goofy sometimes fun and awesome? Also yes.
As mr bulb would say, just have fun with it.
As mr bulb would say, just have fun with it.
You forgot the part that said that you should rely on the side dots whenever possible.
That doesn't mean you can never look at it. Just try not to if playing easy stuff you're comfident with. Remember there are blind people playing guitar. I'm not saying that should be your goal, but the less you need to look at the fretboard when playing, the better (which is something really important if you also sing).
It is also better for a correct posture. We tend to arch too much when looking at the fretboard (specially in classical position).
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jaxadam
SS.org Regular
Here’s what worked for me:
-play sitting in a chair
-play sitting with a strap in a chair
-play sitting with a strap but remove the chair
If you can play with a strap on the sitting position without a chair then standing is a piece of cake.
-play sitting in a chair
-play sitting with a strap in a chair
-play sitting with a strap but remove the chair
If you can play with a strap on the sitting position without a chair then standing is a piece of cake.
NoodleFace
Delicious Noodles
When I first joined a band I had trouble standing and playing, now it's really second nature. Sitting still feels easier to play,.and I've been playing over 25 years. If you intend to play in a band, just start practicing standing up.
One tip I have is play with the length of your strap. I typically set my strap length so the guitar hangs in the same position as when I'm sitting, that alleviates some of the awkwardness. It can be kind of a nerdy height level but I've never cared
One tip I have is play with the length of your strap. I typically set my strap length so the guitar hangs in the same position as when I'm sitting, that alleviates some of the awkwardness. It can be kind of a nerdy height level but I've never cared
Lionsblood79
Swimmin with bowlegged women
I've been practicing with the strap sitting down, found the correct length, so theres only a slight difference when I stand up. Had to switch to the classical position sitting, which isn't bad. It translates really well to standing. Also practicing in the mirror helps. Its gonna take some time but I've gotten alot of good tips on here that have really helped, so I'm encouraged to keep going.
The reason I picked up a guitar in the first place was seeing rockstars like Slash and James Hetfield. That`s what I wanted to be, so you have to play standing up. I just can`t imagine only sitting down playing a guitar and have always practiced playing standing. At first way down like my idols, but that didn`t work so well. Also, if you`re performing for a live audience it`s best to look like you know what you`re doing, so you practice playing the set as if there were people watching. Can`t do that sitting down.
