PEDIASPOT.web.id - Before you start to play, it's important that you feel relaxed and comfortable holding your instrument. The exact po...
PEDIASPOT.web.id - Before you start to play, it's important that you feel relaxed and comfortable holding your instrument. The exact posture you choose can to some extent depend on the type of music you play. In general terms, classical, fold and flamenco players are invariably seen seated, whereas most rock and country players perform in a standing position with the guitar supported by shoulder straps.
The Sitting Position
There are 2 independent approaches to playing the guitar in the sitting position.
The 'classical' method - where the waist of the guitar sits comfortably between the legs, resting on the left thigh if you are left handed or the right thigh if you are right handed. It is also helpful to have an adjustable stool in case you are having troubles touching the ground with your feet. The guitar neck should be held at an angle of about 45 degrees also.
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| The Sitting Position |
Although this posture can be seen in other forms of music, it is most commonly restricted to those with a classical background. It is more usual simply to rest the guitar on the right thigh, supporting the neck with the left hand so that it maintains a broadly, horizontal angle. The body of the instrument is held in place by the inside of the right arm as follows...
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| The Sitting Position |
This position is the one which most players find natural for playing an acoustic instrument.
Playing a solid body electric guitar when sitting can cause problems. These instruments have primarily been designed for playing in the standing position - their shape and balance of weight can cause the instrument to tilt awkwardly. If this happens, you can find additional support by wearing a shoulder strap.
A brief note for left-handers; although most of the classical guitars are available in mirror-image left handed models, some players find it easier or more economical to buy a standard model and re-string it in reverse. Whilst this is fine as far as the fingerboard goes, you may find that the shape of the body, or the positioning of the controls on electric models now affects the positioning of your left hand and around the bridge area. As a result, you may need to modify your posture.
Getting hold of a left-handed model is generally more desirable although, Jimi Hendrix managed to cope well enough on a right handed one!
The Standing Position
To play the guitar in the standing position, you will need a shoulder strap. Almost any strap you see in a music store will be perfectly adequate, although without reinforced strap holes will always be liable to snap at the worst moments.
Paying a little more money for a good quality leather strap is usually a worthwhile investment - and should last a lifetime.
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| The Standing Position |
With a shoulder strap in place, the guitar should hand naturally against your body, leaving both arms free to move comfortably. Ideally, the neck of the guitar should be held at an angle between 30 and 45 degrees. It is important that the strap is adjusted so that the guitar is held at the correct height - a good rule for beginners is to ensure that the bridge of the guitar is approximately the same height as your waist.
When you become more experienced, you are likely to find a height and neck angle that works best for you. Of course, it is not unusual to see some rock musicians performing on stage with extremely low slung instruments. While this may look cooler than the standard posture, it will make learning more difficult - the further away the guitar neck is held from the body - the more pronounced the angle of the left hand has to become.
Hot Tips to Remember
Take care about the kind of clothing you wear when you play the guitar. Bulky clothing can easily restrict your movements. If your sleeves are too loose, they can easily drag against the strings, muting the sound. Metal objects, jewelry or zippers can catch the body of the guitar - as well as making an unpleasant noise; this can also scratch or damage the instrument.
Not every seating surface is appropriate for playing the guitar. You should choose a sturdy stool or upright chair, and the floor on which the left foot support is positioned also needs to be firm. Desk chairs are of little use since the arms will just get in the way. Nor is soft seating, such as sofas or beds, as it becomes difficult to hold the guitar in the correct position and can encourage bad habits.
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