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Posted by: Kizaze44 Jul 21 2008, 11:10 PM

Hey there,
Wondering if anyone else has this problem: I usually practice sitting down. I find it easier to concentrate, for one thing. Then when I go to a jam my playing gets worse. I know the simple answer - practice standing up, dummy! But which way to you all practice? If you play gigs, or jam with friends, do your practice time include standing?

-Kiz

Posted by: Smikey2006 Jul 21 2008, 11:17 PM

the best way i think is just to wear your guitar where it is comfortable while playing, if you have troubles playing standing its because your guitar is too low, just raise the strap a bit, when i practice, i sit but i have my strap on and the guitar usually hovers above my legs, that way when i stand its inexactly the same position, either that or just stand alot while practicing and get used to bending your wrists more under the fretboard. Perhaps spend some time while warming up(chromatic scales and stuff) to do them walking around or at least standing to improve the wrist motion a bit everytime.

Posted by: vintageplaya666 Jul 21 2008, 11:18 PM

At home I always practise sitting down, If you know you're guitar very well you should have no problem playing standing up. Also, when I'm standing up, I dont have the guitar stupidly low, I have mine just below my chest. So then its just like playing sitting down. In my opinion anyways.

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jul 21 2008, 11:18 PM

I practice sitting all the time
but luckily I play lots of gigs so
that's like standing and practicing as well.

Posted by: Kizaze44 Jul 21 2008, 11:19 PM

Muris,

Is there a big difference in your playing - standing vs. sitting?

Posted by: Muris Varajic Jul 21 2008, 11:23 PM

Not too much,I change hight a bit with the strap here and there,
depends of what am I playing for the gig.

Posted by: Outlaw2112 Jul 21 2008, 11:25 PM

I always practice sitting, but i have noticed that when i play standing I dont play as well... It just seems weird playing standing and more natural for me to play sitting... For one thing I see the neck of the guitar differently when sitting... when standing all i see is the dots and it kinda throws my playing off

Posted by: Tryton Jul 22 2008, 02:14 AM

I have the exact same issue as you... except...

I usually separate learning from practice,

I practice standing up...

and learn sitting down, does that make sense...

Posted by: RIP Dime Jul 22 2008, 03:56 AM

It makes sense, so you learn exercises and songs sitting, then you practice them standing up?

I should practice more standing up, because I'm really into stoner metal, and I've grown accustomed to playing a lot at the 12th fret area on the E, A, and D strings, and that's tricky while standing up for me, I don't really have long fingers, so I have problems reaching for notes on the low strings high up, but I have big palms, so I tend to wrap my thumb around the neck alot. I think I just need to practice standing alot, and work out some of the problems I have.

Posted by: swingline Jul 22 2008, 04:28 AM

I always practice sitting because its more comfortable to me but I play just as well both ways. When I play standing up the guitar is at about the same level as if I was sitting, it doesn't look as cool but I'd rather play good any day than look cool.

Posted by: Outlaw2112 Jul 22 2008, 04:31 AM

the way i sit practicing, the neck of the guitar is almost standing straight up on my left leg.. kinda like one of the baddest guitarist ever did... when i saw pictures like this i started playing like that... only im no randy rhodes, so i cant play standing up or sitting down like him... lol
so when i stand up the neck slides down to an uncomfortable position, one im not used to

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jul 22 2008, 11:12 AM

The main goal is to feel comfortable while practicing, no matter how you do it. When standing you change the position a little, but if you play a lot of gigs, or studio rehearsals, it shouldn't be a problem. If you don't play it too much, consider practicing some exercises while standing, it won't do you harm anyway.

Posted by: Bogdan Radovic Jul 22 2008, 02:18 PM

Well before I was practicing standing much more than sitting down..It was more comfortable for me and fun...Now it is half-half (sitting-standing practice time for me).

Posted by: kjutte Jul 22 2008, 03:20 PM

I have my guitar in same hight when I sit.

Posted by: -Zion- Jul 22 2008, 08:52 PM

i usually sit down while learning a lesson..
after a short while my back begins to hurt because i sit in a stupid way.. i sit this way because i have yet to find a proper way to sit with my flying-V guitar..

well.. actually today i practiced some scales for 45 minutes (sitting).. and after that i went back to a lesson i've done before and did this standing.. and finally rounding the practice schedule of with a bit of improvising over a song (also standing).. mostly i think i stand because i cant sit properly with my guitar, but i'll know once i get myself a new guitar..

Posted by: superize Jul 22 2008, 08:56 PM

I mostly play sitting when practicing. It feels wierd when i trie to play standing. It feels as i want to have the guitar lower when playing standing.

Posted by: Canis Jul 22 2008, 09:04 PM

I rarely play standing up... During my guitar "career", I've problaby spent 97% of the time sitting

Posted by: Smells Jul 22 2008, 10:09 PM

i always practice whilst sitting, for band rehearsals/gigs I`ve never had a problem when standing I think its mainly about finding a comfortable height whilst standing. If high works for you then go for it

Posted by: jacmoe Jul 22 2008, 10:25 PM

Lots of pros have their guitar up high when standing, so no problems!
It depends on both your guitar and your physical build.

To me it looks sortof weird if someone played a Flying V or a Les Paul up high.

But it looks cool when Petrucci or Satch play on their instruments high, or when Page or Slash or Zakk play low.

If you're comfortable, it looks cool. I guess!

I usually sit when practicing, but I have no problems playing standing up. I used to gig once.

Posted by: Paul Coutts Jul 22 2008, 11:14 PM

Practice seriously sitting down, like your warmups, scales, etc.... WORK sitting down. JAM and play to songs standing up, ROCK OUT and make it fun! You'll get both ways down that way I like to rock out in my bedroom with my stereo really loud, reminds me why I started playing in the first place, and you won't realize it, but your actually practicing for when you play live. Going nuts, and rocking out is much easier after running through it in your room

Posted by: Kizaze44 Jul 22 2008, 11:22 PM

Coutts, since I started this thread I've been doing exactly that - warmups, exercises SITTING, jamming and improv STANDING and it's way more fun. I think the excitement compensates for the difficulty factor. But it's getting easier playing standing because I've been practicing that way lately. No big difference anymore.

-Kizaze

Posted by: kjutte Jul 23 2008, 07:14 PM

I have a Berklee DVD, and he strongly suggested one should have the guitar strap so high that you play sitting down and standing up in just the same way.

Naturally, everyone can do as they want, it's just a tip.