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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Correct Position

Posted by: Rated Htr Jul 14 2008, 12:09 PM

When I started playing acoustic guitar, my father explained to me that the guitar should be placed between our legs, and the space of the guitar should be filled by our left leg, if you don't understand what I'm saying, check out this video of Pavel doing that

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/vai-inpired-licks/

But, since yesterday I've noticed, alot of guitarist do the same way I did it before my father pointed it out, like Marcus puts his guitar on his right leg

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/winding-roads-marcus-lavendell/

Now I have doubts about how should I play it. Which one ?

Posted by: Jerry Arcidiacono Jul 14 2008, 12:41 PM

QUOTE (Rated Htr @ Jul 14 2008, 01:09 PM)

Now I have doubts about how should I play it. Which one

The one which is more comfortable to you.

Posted by: Rated Htr Jul 14 2008, 12:45 PM

Marcus' position (for example) was the first one that felt more comfortable, now I've been playing Pavel's position for quite some time and got used to it, so If I returned to the original position it would probably feel comfortable again, that's why I'm confused

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell Jul 14 2008, 12:53 PM

QUOTE (Jerry Arcidiacono @ Jul 14 2008, 01:41 PM)

The one which is more comfortable to you.

+1
Both ways works just fine

Posted by: DeepRoots Jul 14 2008, 12:55 PM

i often change between both positions depending on what im playing

Posted by: Rated Htr Jul 14 2008, 01:31 PM

Can you tell me which way you use for metal and which way you use for blues for example? Or just tell me an example of one style you use with one and another style you use with another?

Posted by: jacmoe Jul 14 2008, 05:33 PM

I use my right leg for blues and my left leg for shredding!

Left gives the right position for finger stretching and thumb behind neck playing, while right puts the guitar in the right place to soulful bending, percussive riffing and wiggle-the-guitar-to-the-rythm sort of things.

But, that's how I feel like it.

It's up to you.
Do try every possible position and see/feel what works the best for you.

Posted by: Danilo Capezzuto Jul 16 2008, 12:44 AM

Both are good, be sure to sit up and that your shoulders are up and not down!

Posted by: Scott Gentzen Jul 16 2008, 12:03 PM

It's mostly a comfort issue than one being more correct than another.

Resting the guitar on my right leg is uncomfortable for my left arm so I rest mine on my left leg like how Pavel does. Also, for me when I stand my guitars hang very close to where they are when Im sitting with them on my left leg....so it's not a huge change for me when I stand and play.

Posted by: Enucleation Aug 2 2008, 02:32 AM

I've seen some bassist on a youtube video play bass like a violin with the neck potiong the floor. If that works id say go for whatever you feel.

Thats being said, I think the left leg thing is proper for classical guitar (which I would guess is where your dad and other guitar players got it) but I use it for almost all playing. So whatever works for you.

I've seen some bassist on a youtube video play bass like a violin with the neck potiong the floor. If that works id say go for whatever you feel.

Thats being said, I think the left leg thing is proper for classical guitar (which I would guess is where your dad and other guitar players got it) but I use it for almost all playing. So whatever works for you.

Posted by: mattacuk Aug 2 2008, 07:38 AM

There is no correct answer, it is simply what is most comfortable for you! As a tall person the guitar feels most comfortable on my right leg, like Marcus and Muris hold theres

I always felt a bit silly hold it on my left leg tbh

Posted by: kjutte Aug 2 2008, 11:28 AM

QUOTE (Rated Htr @ Jul 14 2008, 01:09 PM)

I have my guitarstrap so tight that it's in same position when I stand as sit.

Posted by: Daniel Robinson Aug 4 2008, 11:15 AM

You know i was gonna bring this topic up after i noticed that myself. But someone beat me to it.

I play with the guitar in my lap, I.E. most of the guitar on my left leg.

I think the reason i do this is because i prefer to keep the guitar neck angled up. At least it seems this way to me. So when i am playing i don't have to turn my hand over completely to fret a note. When the neck is parallel to the ground which seems to be the case having the guitar on your right leg you have to twist your arm more to fret a note.

For some people this is more comfortable to be in line with everything. But like i said, i like to keep the neck angled upward so i don't have to turn my arm over completely. It also gives me better posistion for playing solo's above the 12th fret. On a downside it makes playing difficult chords below the 5th fret a bit harder because i have to reach out and inward toward my body to get them to stay clear.

Its something i really never thought off till i saw alot of the instructors here playing on their right leg when i don't.

I think the other reason for this is because of how i learned, when if first started playing electric guitar i learned on a Jackson V, its almost impossible to play a V on your right leg you have to tuck it in your lap with the V portion braced against your right leg with the fretboard angled upward.

Daniel

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 6 2008, 08:32 PM

I play it on the right leg all the time, it is more comfortable for me. I change position a little while standing, and also must practice when standing before gigs.

Posted by: Caelumamittendum Aug 6 2008, 10:21 PM

Personally I like to use the position with the guitar one the left leg for difficult stuff. It seems to improve movement of everything where as having the guitar on the right leg limits your left arm somewhat.