When I play I have a hard time finding a comfortable position to play in, when I play up on the neck say between the 1st and maybe the 8th fret I keep my guitar at slightly more than a 45 degree angle then when I want to play further down the neck I have to move the guitar neck down more to a straight out position but I also have to slide the guitar out to the left so my little finger can reach the low E string on the highest frets 19 - 24.

if I don't do this I end up having my wirst bent at an unatural position and I get cramps and aching pain. Of course playing like this interupts my playing is hard to do, never mind what it looks like (geeky and wrong). So here I am looking for any suggestions anyone out there may have.

I play an Ibanez RG 1570.

BTW, I practice all the time and it isn't getting any easier, if anything the more I'm learning the harder it is to feel comfortable and find a comfortable position to play in.

Those shape guitars are probably easiest to play when you strap them up so that the tummy cut is at your ribs. When playing standing up I mean. Looks kinda geeky, but who cares.

I'm guessing you mean while just practicing and sitting down...? if so I find it most comfortable to play this way, its hard to explain:
I sit on a bar stool(pretty high chair) and I have my guitar with a strap and my Left leg on this box I found in our garage. I have my guitar on my left leg, like you would hold a classical guitar and the right leg can just be anywhere cos it has the strap.... Atleast I find this extremely comfortable and can reach Low E on 24th just nicely.


If you talk about playing while standing then I can't help you cos, I always have found it comfortable playing while standing...

Try experimenting a bit with the length of your strap, try playing with the guitar hanging a bit higher or lower than now and see if this improves anything. About this angle thing of how you are holding your guitar, many other players do this to, Zakk Wylde for example, when he plays a solo his guitar is almost vertical.

Sometimes the best position is the classical one, guitar on the left leg, strap high up. This way, if you have a shorter neck it is easier to play may things, but it is not a "cool" position so to speak. SO if you don't care, just practice like this.

Yes exactly sorry I wasn't more specific in my original post. I guess my problem is where and how I practice, I practice in my living room while sitting on the couch, I have my amp pretty close because the headphones have a pretty small cord. I also use a music stand to hold my music because my neck just couldn't take the constant bending when I would place my music on the couch or the floor. This kind of looks grade schoolish but it works for me and I get no neck pain from it.

I guess I'm going to have to find a different place to practice and get myself a different chair and foot rest to help with my positioning. Thanks to everyone who answered.

Yeah, I'd recommend sitting on are more firm surface such as a chair or a stool. I also play with my guitar on my left leg, as I get pain in my right arm when I have it on my right leg.

Yeah, i play on my left leg also... Its just more comfortable that way.. I think thats the way classical guitarists play, on their left leg

I got used to playing when standing so I too find it a little difficult to find a comfortable siting position to play in.. I'm sure with a little experiment and getting used to some position you will overcome problems..

I play with my guitar quite low as my pants always fall down at gigs. So a guitar in place saves from blushes lol.