i have been playing for 12 years and i wish i had your videos when i first started. Watched a few of your videos and i'm still learning new things thank you for your lessons.
shawn lane also used his belly to his advantage, plus he did while sitting. i can only imagine how good of a look he could get of his fretboard while playing. no wonder he was one of the best there ever was.
Can you share your guitar playing story? I never knew you play guitar and I'd love to hear what guitar you play, what music you play and whatever else you'd love to share. I appreciate it 😁
I always worried about the transfusion from sitting guitar to standing, then I realised I’m disabled and I’ll never stand lol! So, so long suckers, I’m gonna be sitting with my guitar forever. Hey, even in disability we have to make jokes and find silver linings right?
I never played standing for probably 3 years except for like 2 shows I did. I really sucked when I tried to but after practicing standing there's not much difference in my playing. It's awkward at first but eventually yiu get uses to it. Some more technical stuff is easier sitting but I think that's because the guitar moves more standing
You get used to it, even to the point where you no longer want to play sitting. I have punk bands come into my studio, they track all their guitars and bass tracks standing, because punk bands can end up playing like 10 shows a week, and they always practice together in their practice-space, so they're standing up for that too. The weight of the guitar should actually be enough to hold it in place as long as you don't have a giant gut. If you do, get a thinline tele or a semi-hollow Les Paul type thing, tighten the strap a tiny bit, and let your gut hold it in place. The more you play standing, the less you'll want to play sitting, even for the most technical parts. You can also get used to playing without looking at the fretboard at all (this is a good idea anyway, you should be making eye-contact with your audience whenever possible), just don't switch back and forth between a strat, an LP, a PRS and then back to a strat, because the different scale-lengths will make that "seeing with your hands" process much harder. Pick a scale and get used to it.
Me too, I feel more comfortable while playing in standing position....perhaps is more about freedom of movements,..and as you pointed out , the eye contact with the other musicians or the audience..But when I must train on a difficult part...of course sitting and watching perhaps at a tab..is the best way...Though the nicest thing is,..to play by ear, standing, jumping or dancing at the songs you love!
+Adam Rainstopper hi Adam. I can play bass standing up easy enough but I'm having real issues with the guitar standing.. im a woman, and I don't want to b rude but my breasts are really getting in the way of where the guitar strap goes / and hence where the guitar sits... I noticed u gave advice about men's stomachs, I'm not sure if its the same , Do u have any advice for me, You gotto Really think about it.. there is a bloody lump on the Right side of the chest and the guitar strap goes right over it. pushing the guitar away from my body! Ive ended up unscrewing a bolt at the neck base behind the guitar n putting the strap on that but then I have to weave the strap back in front of the guitar top corner to hold it backwards in tight to my body (,its ridiculous! & unfair/ playing standing up is hard enough let alone the breasts & strap crap!!) (but I will NOT give up - I LOVE IT TOO MUCH !!, PLEASE HELPMM Getting depressed here! (,not really but you kno! ANYBODY???!!,;HELP / ADVICE (SERIOUS ADVICE NEEDED /APPRICIATED!)
@@Add_Account485 Hey, sam. Try what chuck berry does and put the strap on his shoulder like a purse instead of the normal way. Looks like the strap might go down the middle of your chest instead of one side or the other. Just a thought. Look at some of his videos.
This is such an underrated topic I wish more people would discuss this.Great players who have their straps low yet play complex stuffs always amaze me, like Nuno Bettencourt.
#1, love that guitar. #2, you'd initially think this is a silly idea for a youtube video, but it really is a great subject. #3, you do a great job breaking down the mechanics of playing, while standing.
I set my strap and guitar to be in the same position when I am sitting or standing. I do not care about cool factor, so I tend to have my guitar set at my stomach level with the neck raised. This is the most comfortable for me and allows me complete fretboard access with all my fingers and no awkward wrist angle. My fretting hand wrist tends to be pretty straight all the time and keeps me from hurting any important stuff inside my wrist.
i have been standing for years and now its akward to sit i dont even know how to begin i always end up upside down or sideways when i try to sit i am lost on how to sit
For years I've practiced sitting down. I watched this video several weeks ago but only just very recently have begun practicing while standing. Felt very very super awkward and couldn't find a comfortable stance or position. But after just 4 two hour practice sessions different stances and positions just naturally found their way to me. And yes, you were right about how there is a difference in feel. I've gotten more comfortable playing standing, even walking or pacing around the room. I've noticed that depending on what you play sort of influences just how your body reacts to how you hold the instrument. I think my playing is beginning to translate well but i'm excited as to how much better I'll get as more time passes. Unfortunately I will have to sit for practice at work during my breaks as they have benches and I don't want to draw more attention by standing and playing lol Thanks for this video. It is a necessary video because I used to feel awkward about trying to play standind. Better to get the awkward feeling out of the way than trying to deal with it in a performing situation!
I usually will practice anything new while sitting down and then just stand up after I'm pretty good with it. I have done this since I first started. I've never had any problems standing up or sitting down.
Yup, make sure if you ever plan on performing while standing, practice while standing. I've known some really accomplished guitarists who simply could not play while standing. Good instructional vid. Hey, I'm gunna SUB! Yay!
I would argue that the best way for most people to hold the guitar is to hold it roughly the same standing and sitting. Btw if you have a strat and hold it slightly to the side, your picking arm can push on it and the 'buddha'/gut cutaway will tilt it just upwards enough to be comfortable. Also, thank you for explaining why you hold your guitar the way you do. It is the first and thusfar only example I've found of a reasonable technical explanation for slinging a guitar low a-la Jimmy Page: more relaxed arms. I still think the cons outweigh the positives on holding a guitar low technically and health wise, but at least I have found a reasonable explanation for it
Been jamming for 28 years now, my dad taught me for a year sitting down then told me to stand up once I figured out basic songs. lol. It SUCKED for a while, but man, when I started playing live at 16... really helped. I did the low Hetfield thing for a while then I heard Dream Theater... had to pick up my strap lol. Great video dude!
Another thing about standing is that the guitar is no longer an object to be played, it becomes a part of you and moves with you and almost becomes like another limb that you just instinctively move. Don't fight the guitar's movement, and don't let it fight you. Watch your favorite guitarists to see what they do when they switch to certain techniques (Dave Mustaine locks his V bodies into his legs to stabilize during solos, Nita Strauss holds the guitar upwards, propped on her left leg, etc. etc.) If the guitar ever feels like it moves against you or vice versa, raise or lower it. Close your eyes and play the riffs you best know and see if they feel right without having to look at the guitar (I've noticed that if you miss the strings with the fret hand, you should raise it, but if you miss with the pick hand, you should lower it, but these are general guidelines that help me) Also if you want the guitar to look lower than it actually is, get an Explorer or V type guitar where there is less body above the pickup, and get a singlecut/strat/sg type guitar to make it look higher.
Higher position is more conducive to the classical thumb positioning because it allows your wrist to remain neutral. Theres a reason why alot of technical players in difficult genres tend to wear their guitars higher. Theres no right or wrong as long as your comfortable at the end of the day but personally im an advocate for wearing the guitar a little higher than most.
Strap height is definitely preference when playing. I like it pretty high about bottom of ribs height. Angus Young, Paul mccartney and Eric Johnson have their guitars high too, while others like Clapton, Gilmour,Hendrix played/play about hip height. Jimmy Page and Slash play even lower than that.Some people also care about how it looks on stage, but being able to play most comfortably to you is most important. If you are comfortable playing with that height you look good playing, where if its too low or high and you are finding it hard to play it shows.
Thanks for the advice, I need to change up my playing habits because of tendonitis in my left wrist and trying too hard to master the blues shuffle in A at the 5th fret. I sit too much with my job, so I need to get off my butt anyway. I'm really enjoying the lessons on the website, I'm glad I joined.
There definitely were some things I had to get used to in regards to playing while standing (especially palm muting), but once I got used to it, I never went back to playing while sitting!!
thanks for adressing this mike ive been playing for 10 years i always sit and play and when i stand up and play everything is so sloppy and inarticulate this was really helpful.... great lesson man
I honestly cant remember the last time I looked at my fretboard for location purposes. Just so used to playing hours on end I dont ever look down. This video is top notch
I was definitely into a high playing position. My left hand doesn't have the range to cradle the neck and fret properly, especially barre chords, with the guitar sitting that low. I prefer a classical style high headstock and my thumb on the back of the neck playing position, so when I'd play standing up I'd describe it as being similar to how Chuck Schuldiner used to position the guitar. My advice to learners would be do what's comfortable for you. It's not wrong to position the guitar differently to someone else when standing up. It's just different.
One cool thing I found out with a regular flying v guitar is if you put one if the v legs between your legs when sitting it is an easier position to get used to bar chords ( some what like a classical guitar placement) AND when you stand up to play it is in the same position!
Playing while standing was a big problem for me a few months ago but i just started practicing guitar only while standing and now i feel more comfortable playing standing than sitting
Awesome video. I have been playing for years but never really played standing up. I just recently started using Rocksmith 2014 to learn songs and practice. I only ever play rocksmith standing up. It was a rule that I set myself and now I am able to play just as good standing. Its funny because everything that he says here has just become the way i now play. I dont even hardly look at the guitar anymore as you will be looking at the screen a lot. I highly recommend Rocksmith to any people out there that have been playing for a while or are in a rut.
If you like to sit down I recommend having a foot rest, like a wah in front, Its so much more comfortable holding the guitar when it can rest on a raised leg. The classical position is super comfortable in my opinion, too.
Even while sitting, I have my (electric) guitars supported by the straps and at the same playing position as when standing. This is for safety and for the proper position of the hands. The height of the guitar should depend on how you play. If you play very fast with precision, you want the guitar up high where the left fingers are more parallel with the frets. If you play using lots of bends and vibrato, having the guitar lower allows the left wrist to become much more involved and often means foregoing the use of the pinky for most licks. Of course having the guitar lower means bending your left wrist more (which makes it harder for the tendons to move quickly) - its a trade off which may hurt at first but gets better with practice. Another reason to lower the guitar is to avoid having it rest on your stomach (i.e. diaphragm) which can interfere with your singing.
You nailed it, I practiced sitting for about a month after coming back to guitar, seemed easy, because I had it slightly tilted and saw all the strings. I'm thinking, I'm killing it!! Then I stood up, shitshow, gotta get used to not seeing all those lovely frets, but my back doesn't hurt as much when I'm done after standing
The shape of the guitar also affects when playing while standing up, for example, dimebag used to bend a bit over and place the lower horns of his ML between his legs as if it was a Flying V when playing solos
Omg.... this made me feel so much better about how I play guitar thank you! I have always been Frusciante and obv Hendrix fan in a major way and love the thumb muting/fingering style. Always thought it was messing my wrist up and I just hadn't felt the pain yet, but soooo much less stress now! Thanks bud :)
I do not sit down at all when practicing, recording or playing. I put my hand under the lower curve of the guitar, and i lift it up the highest I can go, and i lower it so that 4 fingers line up along the first four frets on the low e string and when they do, you seem to always have access comfortably to the whole fretboard. I hope that doesn't sound too complicated.
It's for this exact reason I always stand while playing electric. When it's high up or I'm sat down, I just feel cramped and uncomfortable. That's not to say I have it low to the point where I'm struggling to reach it, but I like to be relaxed, and I can't get that sitting down or standing with the guitar at sitting height. A lot of people recommend having the guitar at sitting position, but that's just never worked for me for the reasons you've pointed out in this video.
Finally, someone that says that I don't have to play with the guitar really high up. There are simply too many variables for people to assert high up is always better because it's more like sitting (and I wasted far too much time persisting with that bad advice). Find what's right for you. It should be obvious that all the guitar legends who spend hours standing and playing with guitar hung lower aren't battling discomfort for the sake of looking cool. It's just what feels right for them.
I personally find it difficult to play guitar low on the strap when it comes to play fancy chords like F# on A string. When i play a song that requires high-on-neck chords i prefer to play while sitting. Some just play power chords but its not the same...
I have been playing a long time. 30+ years & when I started I was sitting for about an hour & standing for & hour. I got used to standing from the start. Any more I just sit my lazy ass down and play what I feel. I don,t gig anymore, so I just have the enjoyment of sitting & relaxing. But stand all the time, when playing your instrument. This helps you get much better feel of every thing you do. [ B.PROCTOR ]
Quarantined and watching beginner guides even though I've been playing for 25 years, but the fret markers part reminded me I actually put a white sticker on one of my guitars (classical) cuz they sometimes put the marker at 10th fret instead of 9th which always threw me off on some gtrs. Also: I used to throw myself on my knees during gigs when I was at the solo cuz I was more used to practising them sit, so I didn't do it for "style" but practical reasons, and I think Kurt might have done it for the same reasons
Another note about tilting your guitar is the way gravity acts on your strings shifts slightly and they will go slightly out of tune one way, which really bugged me when I first noticed it (luckily I kicked the tilting habit immediately afterwards)
I never even had a chair in my studio until a few months ago when I got my Keyboard. The only time I ever sat was at lessons and just noodling around on the sofa while watching TV, which is a bad habit in and of itself. But spend the vast majority of my practice time standing.
Not only about comfort when playing for a crowd though. It’s also about appearance and your band’s persona lol. I started to ha tight strap but when I started playing in public it was a “cooler” position to lower the strap and so I starting practicing with the low strap and eventually it feels normal
When i sit i wear a strap and let the guitar hang just like when i stand .that being said .i do a lot of practice and band rehearsal standing..also since really watching Satch play i noticed he keeps his guitar neck at a pretty constant angle so i started doing the same ..i find that consistency of guitar height and neck angle really helps my playing both at home and performing.
Boy did I learn this the hard way "Wrist-break" is no fun at my age. I still suck at the 4-finger method. I guess I am resigned to being a 3-finger wonder. It's not so bad, many great players manage to solo effectively with minimal pinky use.
I find playing with my Jackson feels almost the exact same whether you're standing or sitting but when I play my Stratocaster it's very different and almosy uncomfortable to go from sitting to standing up.
When you sit and play,your picking hand is limited,then you get Fatigue.play standing up always! Plug in,tune up and just Go for it.of course sometimes you wanna sit and play,but When you stand you are not restrained.
+James Hajjar...Tell Andres Segovia that shit...without him most of us would probably have never even heard of the guitar. He was the one that revived it from near extinction and brought it respect (and popularity) throughout the world in the early 1900's. Playing the guitar isn't an extension of macho egomania so it's not really a matter of "go for it"...Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Steve Howe, John McLaughlin, etc. etc. just stand there and play, as did George Harrison...now if your talking about rock & roll "theater" that's a different story...but the guys in this realm, for the most part, are not the most genuinely accomplished instrumentalists or creative artists.
I quit tilting my guitar back when sitting. That is a bad habit if you ever plan on standing. Then if I wear my guitar at the same level as sitting, it feels pretty much the same standing except for the guitar moves to the left a bit. That can cause me to mistake the 5th fret for the third If I don't pay attention. I find some things easier when standing because you can move around more and the neck feels secure so I don't feel the need to grip the neck and can move my thumb lower. Standing must be better overall or everyone would sit while performing.
I always struggled standing up and playing until I joined a band, then I was forced to play standing up and it began to feel far more natural. Secret is practice as always :)
i have been playing for 12 years and i wish i had your videos when i first started. Watched a few of your videos and i'm still learning new things thank you for your lessons.
Damn dude what dis those 12 years teach you
wow, thats really sad man. what a waste of 12 years.
Ive been playing since the late 80s and I learned more in the past 5 years thanks to channels like Mike's.
The only advantage Ive found having a big stomach is, when standing my guitar angles towards my chest making it easier to see all the strings.
That’s actually really awesome!
BB King approves!
shawn lane also used his belly to his advantage, plus he did while sitting. i can only imagine how good of a look he could get of his fretboard while playing. no wonder he was one of the best there ever was.
@@cr01554nt i think u found the secret
Agree! I'm fat as well. Can't play sitting down, the fretboard is in another room🤣
That James Hetfiled guitar position thou, should be in a hall of fame.
Agree. James had the coolest metal look back then
@@PeterVenkman_666 he still does, he just evolved into something different. Old James looked raw and hungry, the new one looks mature and experienced
I find it easier to do the James hetfield position
Slash. Ramones. Jimmy Paige.
More like nuno bettencourt's also
You don't go to war sitting down 🤘🤘
Chris Fletcher Dimebag on recording the great southern trendkill \m/
xxJingoxx999 damn, didn't know that!
What if your in a tank🤔
Thatchman Or flying a plane.
my first thought XD
I only ever play/practice if I'm standing, everything feels much less co-ordinated if I'm sat down. Plus you cant rock out as much!
are u still alive
@@alexy33t46 no
Oh wow, a hermit rocking out a guitar, not something you see every day
Can you share your guitar playing story? I never knew you play guitar and I'd love to hear what guitar you play, what music you play and whatever else you'd love to share.
I appreciate it 😁
Whoah this was unexpected to see u here
I always worried about the transfusion from sitting guitar to standing, then I realised I’m disabled and I’ll never stand lol! So, so long suckers, I’m gonna be sitting with my guitar forever. Hey, even in disability we have to make jokes and find silver linings right?
Jojo Sagewitch Well that’s another reason to keep playing! I loved your positivity :)
alessandro rossi now THAT was a plot twist. Keep on shredding \m/
The fact that you can joke about your disability is amazing ❤
Woe you're amazing!
That's the way to deal with it, laughed my ass off.
I'm lucky to be honest, I can sound equally bad standing or sitting :D RnfnR \m/
I never played standing for probably 3 years except for like 2 shows I did. I really sucked when I tried to but after practicing standing there's not much difference in my playing. It's awkward at first but eventually yiu get uses to it. Some more technical stuff is easier sitting but I think that's because the guitar moves more standing
You get used to it, even to the point where you no longer want to play sitting. I have punk bands come into my studio, they track all their guitars and bass tracks standing, because punk bands can end up playing like 10 shows a week, and they always practice together in their practice-space, so they're standing up for that too. The weight of the guitar should actually be enough to hold it in place as long as you don't have a giant gut. If you do, get a thinline tele or a semi-hollow Les Paul type thing, tighten the strap a tiny bit, and let your gut hold it in place. The more you play standing, the less you'll want to play sitting, even for the most technical parts. You can also get used to playing without looking at the fretboard at all (this is a good idea anyway, you should be making eye-contact with your audience whenever possible), just don't switch back and forth between a strat, an LP, a PRS and then back to a strat, because the different scale-lengths will make that "seeing with your hands" process much harder. Pick a scale and get used to it.
Me too, I feel more comfortable while playing in standing position....perhaps is more about freedom of movements,..and as you pointed out , the eye contact with the other musicians or the audience..But when I must train on a difficult part...of course sitting and watching perhaps at a tab..is the best way...Though the nicest thing is,..to play by ear, standing, jumping or dancing at the songs you love!
+Adam Rainstopper hi Adam. I can play bass standing up easy enough but I'm having real issues with the guitar standing.. im a woman, and I don't want to b rude but my breasts are really getting in the way of where the guitar strap goes / and hence where the guitar sits... I noticed u gave advice about men's stomachs, I'm not sure if its the same , Do u have any advice for me, You gotto Really think about it.. there is a bloody lump on the Right side of the chest and the guitar strap goes right over it. pushing the guitar away from my body! Ive ended up unscrewing a bolt at the neck base behind the guitar n putting the strap on that but then I have to weave the strap back in front of the guitar top corner to hold it backwards in tight to my body (,its ridiculous! & unfair/ playing standing up is hard enough let alone the breasts & strap crap!!) (but I will NOT give up - I LOVE IT TOO MUCH !!, PLEASE HELPMM Getting depressed here! (,not really but you kno!
ANYBODY???!!,;HELP / ADVICE (SERIOUS ADVICE NEEDED /APPRICIATED!)
@@Add_Account485 Hey, sam. Try what chuck berry does and put the strap on his shoulder like a purse instead of the normal way. Looks like the strap might go down the middle of your chest instead of one side or the other. Just a thought. Look at some of his videos.
"doing something gets easier the more you do it" More obvious news at 11
This is such an underrated topic I wish more people would discuss this.Great players who have their straps low yet play complex stuffs always amaze me, like Nuno Bettencourt.
That's so funny cause I thought of Harrison when you put the guitar hella up 😂😂
I thought about Lennon lol
IDon'twant2BeA SoldierMama I thought of John too😂
I thought of Harrison when the guitar is up and Hettfield when is down. It was funny.
I thought of Tom Morello when he put the guitar way up lol
#1, love that guitar.
#2, you'd initially think this is a silly idea for a youtube video, but it really is a great subject.
#3, you do a great job breaking down the mechanics of playing, while standing.
I set my strap and guitar to be in the same position when I am sitting or standing. I do not care about cool factor, so I tend to have my guitar set at my stomach level with the neck raised. This is the most comfortable for me and allows me complete fretboard access with all my fingers and no awkward wrist angle. My fretting hand wrist tends to be pretty straight all the time and keeps me from hurting any important stuff inside my wrist.
The guy who disliked the video probably broke his back while standing up with the guitar
Hype Plays LOL!
Sounds like a Rumby Adobe video idea
What if i always practice standing and dont know how to sit? It feels weird for me
Solar Hazardz - me too!
That happened to me after a period of time when I played standing up almost exclusively. I alternate now.
i have been standing for years and now its akward to sit i dont even know how to begin i always end up upside down or sideways when i try to sit i am lost on how to sit
Try sitting on a stool that's about 36" tall. You can leave your guitar hang just like you do when you stand
Haha same
For years I've practiced sitting down. I watched this video several weeks ago but only just very recently have begun practicing while standing.
Felt very very super awkward and couldn't find a comfortable stance or position.
But after just 4 two hour practice sessions different stances and positions just naturally found their way to me.
And yes, you were right about how there is a difference in feel.
I've gotten more comfortable playing standing, even walking or pacing around the room. I've noticed that depending on what you play sort of influences just how your body reacts to how you hold the instrument.
I think my playing is beginning to translate well but i'm excited as to how much better I'll get as more time passes.
Unfortunately I will have to sit for practice at work during my breaks as they have benches and I don't want to draw more attention by standing and playing lol
Thanks for this video.
It is a necessary video because I used to feel awkward about trying to play standind.
Better to get the awkward feeling out of the way than trying to deal with it in a performing situation!
Ive been walking around my house playing since I read that EVH did that.
Love that San Junipero shirt. Great episode of Black Mirror. \m/
Love the summary at the end
The hand positions are vital information for me so thank you
I've been playing for 4 months and I'm still coming back to learn the basics from you to fill my knowledge gap, keep going!!
I usually will practice anything new while sitting down and then just stand up after I'm pretty good with it. I have done this since I first started. I've never had any problems standing up or sitting down.
Yup, make sure if you ever plan on performing while standing, practice while standing. I've known some really accomplished guitarists who simply could not play while standing. Good instructional vid. Hey, I'm gunna SUB! Yay!
It just pisses me off how much skill it takes away from me when i try to play while standing...
For real 😔
Your videos made me want to relearn guitar after playing for 6 years! Thanks!
I would argue that the best way for most people to hold the guitar is to hold it roughly the same standing and sitting.
Btw if you have a strat and hold it slightly to the side, your picking arm can push on it and the 'buddha'/gut cutaway will tilt it just upwards enough to be comfortable.
Also, thank you for explaining why you hold your guitar the way you do. It is the first and thusfar only example I've found of a reasonable technical explanation for slinging a guitar low a-la Jimmy Page: more relaxed arms. I still think the cons outweigh the positives on holding a guitar low technically and health wise, but at least I have found a reasonable explanation for it
BTW your tips on thumb usage were excellent! I move my thumb depending upon context as well...glad to see I'm not the only one who teaches that
Been jamming for 28 years now, my dad taught me for a year sitting down then told me to stand up once I figured out basic songs. lol. It SUCKED for a while, but man, when I started playing live at 16... really helped. I did the low Hetfield thing for a while then I heard Dream Theater... had to pick up my strap lol. Great video dude!
Another thing about standing is that the guitar is no longer an object to be played, it becomes a part of you and moves with you and almost becomes like another limb that you just instinctively move. Don't fight the guitar's movement, and don't let it fight you. Watch your favorite guitarists to see what they do when they switch to certain techniques (Dave Mustaine locks his V bodies into his legs to stabilize during solos, Nita Strauss holds the guitar upwards, propped on her left leg, etc. etc.) If the guitar ever feels like it moves against you or vice versa, raise or lower it. Close your eyes and play the riffs you best know and see if they feel right without having to look at the guitar (I've noticed that if you miss the strings with the fret hand, you should raise it, but if you miss with the pick hand, you should lower it, but these are general guidelines that help me)
Also if you want the guitar to look lower than it actually is, get an Explorer or V type guitar where there is less body above the pickup, and get a singlecut/strat/sg type guitar to make it look higher.
Higher position is more conducive to the classical thumb positioning because it allows your wrist to remain neutral. Theres a reason why alot of technical players in difficult genres tend to wear their guitars higher. Theres no right or wrong as long as your comfortable at the end of the day but personally im an advocate for wearing the guitar a little higher than most.
Dude thank you so much. I've been playing for about 14 years now. But I still learn so much from your videos. Much love from India.
Strap height is definitely preference when playing. I like it pretty high about bottom of ribs height. Angus Young, Paul mccartney and Eric Johnson have their guitars high too, while others like Clapton, Gilmour,Hendrix played/play about hip height. Jimmy Page and Slash play even lower than that.Some people also care about how it looks on stage, but being able to play most comfortably to you is most important. If you are comfortable playing with that height you look good playing, where if its too low or high and you are finding it hard to play it shows.
RagingDragon13 Steve Clark had his guitars super low
Thanks for the advice, I need to change up my playing habits because of tendonitis in my left wrist and trying too hard to master the blues shuffle in A at the 5th fret. I sit too much with my job, so I need to get off my butt anyway. I'm really enjoying the lessons on the website, I'm glad I joined.
Awesome Michael. Glad to hear you're enjoying the site. Take it easy on that wrist.
+Michael Borel...A higher position with your strap, even when sitting, will leave your wrist straight and take a lot of pressure off of your tendons.
There definitely were some things I had to get used to in regards to playing while standing (especially palm muting), but once I got used to it, I never went back to playing while sitting!!
thanks for adressing this mike ive been playing for 10 years i always sit and play and when i stand up and play everything is so sloppy and inarticulate this was really helpful.... great lesson man
I honestly cant remember the last time I looked at my fretboard for location purposes. Just so used to playing hours on end I dont ever look down. This video is top notch
I am a beginner, learning to play from a DVD course and book. Excellent information for me. Thanks much.
I was definitely into a high playing position. My left hand doesn't have the range to cradle the neck and fret properly, especially barre chords, with the guitar sitting that low. I prefer a classical style high headstock and my thumb on the back of the neck playing position, so when I'd play standing up I'd describe it as being similar to how Chuck Schuldiner used to position the guitar. My advice to learners would be do what's comfortable for you. It's not wrong to position the guitar differently to someone else when standing up. It's just different.
“Or Billie joe Armstrong”
**vivid flashbacks to woodstock**
I needed this video like 2 years ago 😂 no good videos. So i just did whatever slash does and now i can play better standing 😂
+ZosoJuan...Do you also feel that wearing a ridiculous hat helps?
Wow. Never expected such valuable lessons from stand vs sit. Looking forward to seeing more. 🎉🎉
One cool thing I found out with a regular flying v guitar is if you put one if the v legs between your legs when sitting it is an easier position to get used to bar chords ( some what like a classical guitar placement) AND when you stand up to play it is in the same position!
Black Mirror shirt
Matthew Wilson YES! :)))
sadly the weakest episode
@@doomerius1300 wtf it's one of the best if not the best
Hands down best episode ever! And I'm not talking just about Black Mirror
What's Black Mirror?
It's all depends on the size and length of your hands and fingers. Those with long fingers can strapped their guitars low.
I don't even care about the guitar lesson, take my thumb up for that gorgeous San Junipero shirt. Best Black Mirror episode hands down
Playing while standing was a big problem for me a few months ago but i just started practicing guitar only while standing and now i feel more comfortable playing standing than sitting
Awesome video. I have been playing for years but never really played standing up. I just recently started using Rocksmith 2014 to learn songs and practice. I only ever play rocksmith standing up. It was a rule that I set myself and now I am able to play just as good standing. Its funny because everything that he says here has just become the way i now play. I dont even hardly look at the guitar anymore as you will be looking at the screen a lot. I highly recommend Rocksmith to any people out there that have been playing for a while or are in a rut.
I know the feeling. The first time I actually stood up and tried playing what I've been practicing, it's hell of a lot different.
Great tips. FWIW Paul Gilbert insists on using thumb over the top for the reasons you mention. I'm inclined to listen to him
I lOVE the examples you wrote when you wrote "Some people have it lower some have it higher"
If you like to sit down I recommend having a foot rest, like a wah in front, Its so much more comfortable holding the guitar when it can rest on a raised leg.
The classical position is super comfortable in my opinion, too.
Even while sitting, I have my (electric) guitars supported by the straps and at the same playing position as when standing. This is for safety and for the proper position of the hands. The height of the guitar should depend on how you play. If you play very fast with precision, you want the guitar up high where the left fingers are more parallel with the frets. If you play using lots of bends and vibrato, having the guitar lower allows the left wrist to become much more involved and often means foregoing the use of the pinky for most licks. Of course having the guitar lower means bending your left wrist more (which makes it harder for the tendons to move quickly) - its a trade off which may hurt at first but gets better with practice. Another reason to lower the guitar is to avoid having it rest on your stomach (i.e. diaphragm) which can interfere with your singing.
Very informative video!! Thanks for sharing brother!! Very helpful for me
Been looking for a video like this where someone breaks down where to position the guitar standing. Thanks!
You nailed it, I practiced sitting for about a month after coming back to guitar, seemed easy, because I had it slightly tilted and saw all the strings. I'm thinking, I'm killing it!! Then I stood up, shitshow, gotta get used to not seeing all those lovely frets, but my back doesn't hurt as much when I'm done after standing
The shape of the guitar also affects when playing while standing up, for example, dimebag used to bend a bit over and place the lower horns of his ML between his legs as if it was a Flying V when playing solos
Omg.... this made me feel so much better about how I play guitar thank you! I have always been Frusciante and obv Hendrix fan in a major way and love the thumb muting/fingering style. Always thought it was messing my wrist up and I just hadn't felt the pain yet, but soooo much less stress now! Thanks bud :)
I do not sit down at all when practicing, recording or playing. I put my hand under the lower curve of the guitar, and i lift it up the highest I can go, and i lower it so that 4 fingers line up along the first four frets on the low e string and when they do, you seem to always have access comfortably to the whole fretboard. I hope that doesn't sound too complicated.
"Don't tilt back and play"
Here's looking at you, Brian May
But he doesnt always do it. And when he plays while tilted back, he's playing some relatively difficult guitar pieces
@@dagbakka9995 , for us, all pieces are difficult, isn't it? That's why we are watching this channel.
It's for this exact reason I always stand while playing electric. When it's high up or I'm sat down, I just feel cramped and uncomfortable. That's not to say I have it low to the point where I'm struggling to reach it, but I like to be relaxed, and I can't get that sitting down or standing with the guitar at sitting height. A lot of people recommend having the guitar at sitting position, but that's just never worked for me for the reasons you've pointed out in this video.
Really helpful tips. Thanks.
Finally, someone that says that I don't have to play with the guitar really high up. There are simply too many variables for people to assert high up is always better because it's more like sitting (and I wasted far too much time persisting with that bad advice). Find what's right for you.
It should be obvious that all the guitar legends who spend hours standing and playing with guitar hung lower
aren't battling discomfort for the sake of looking cool. It's just what feels right for them.
Adam Howell Guitars don't bounce very well, so have a good strap!
This is a great lesson, I never seen someone think to teach this
"Don't tilt your guitar like that" i wish my guitar teacher had told me that before i had my b string whip across my face lol
All good advice. Thanks.
Robert Fripp would like to have a word with you.
It’s like you never seem to age my dude…. Five years ago and you still look the same then as in recent videos
This helped me so much in improving my playing.
Thank you so very much Mike!
very good tips and the san junipero's t-shirt is awesome!
I personally find it difficult to play guitar low on the strap when it comes to play fancy chords like F# on A string. When i play a song that requires high-on-neck chords i prefer to play while sitting. Some just play power chords but its not the same...
great advice, especially the spider exercise 4 recalibration.
I have been playing a long time. 30+ years & when I started I was sitting for about an hour & standing for & hour. I got used to standing from the start. Any more I just sit my lazy ass down and play what I feel. I don,t gig anymore, so I just have the enjoyment of sitting & relaxing. But stand all the time, when playing your instrument. This helps you get much better feel of every thing you do. [ B.PROCTOR ]
The wrist thing helped thanks
Thanks for the tip John Cusack!
Me cago en la Luna lol dats racist
Me cago en la Luna HAHAHAH He looks so much like him
Quarantined and watching beginner guides even though I've been playing for 25 years, but the fret markers part reminded me I actually put a white sticker on one of my guitars (classical) cuz they sometimes put the marker at 10th fret instead of 9th which always threw me off on some gtrs. Also: I used to throw myself on my knees during gigs when I was at the solo cuz I was more used to practising them sit, so I didn't do it for "style" but practical reasons, and I think Kurt might have done it for the same reasons
Big Help!.. Thanks Mate!.. : ))
Your t shirt reminds me about Malibu from GTA vice city
Fuck, this is going to be hard
Found this out the hard way ,some good tips here .thank you
Another note about tilting your guitar is the way gravity acts on your strings shifts slightly and they will go slightly out of tune one way, which really bugged me when I first noticed it (luckily I kicked the tilting habit immediately afterwards)
I can't sweep pick higher frets when keeping the guitar hang low.
ok
Great tips
great lesson!
Cool lesson. Thanks!
Nice shirt!! Great episode!!
I never even had a chair in my studio until a few months ago when I got my Keyboard. The only time I ever sat was at lessons and just noodling around on the sofa while watching TV, which is a bad habit in and of itself. But spend the vast majority of my practice time standing.
great tips thanks!
Not only about comfort when playing for a crowd though. It’s also about appearance and your band’s persona lol. I started to ha tight strap but when I started playing in public it was a “cooler” position to lower the strap and so I starting practicing with the low strap and eventually it feels normal
When i sit i wear a strap and let the guitar hang just like when i stand .that being said .i do a lot of practice and band rehearsal standing..also since really watching Satch play i noticed he keeps his guitar neck at a pretty constant angle so i started doing the same ..i find that consistency of guitar height and neck angle really helps my playing both at home and performing.
Was just thinking of this as you said this
Good Advises thanks!
Thanks. you are very kind to share this stuff
I haven't played sitting down in 25 years. Standing just feels way better. Plus you can get into the groove, and move around and stuff.
Boy did I learn this the hard way "Wrist-break" is no fun at my age.
I still suck at the 4-finger method. I guess I am resigned to being a 3-finger wonder. It's not so bad, many great players manage to solo effectively with minimal pinky use.
Thank you, it was helpful
I subscribed for the no lens flare. Great vid
I keep my guitar low down. I played bass in my jazz band this last school year, I only played sitting down a couple times. I like playing standing up.
Good tips, thanks.
Good stuff man, really helpful.
I was just looking for this! Good video
I find playing with my Jackson feels almost the exact same whether you're standing or sitting but when I play my Stratocaster it's very different and almosy uncomfortable to go from sitting to standing up.
When you sit and play,your picking hand is limited,then you get
Fatigue.play standing up always! Plug in,tune up and just
Go for it.of course sometimes you wanna sit and play,but
When you stand you are not restrained.
+James Hajjar...Tell Andres Segovia that shit...without him most of us would probably have never even heard of the guitar. He was the one that revived it from near extinction and brought it respect (and popularity) throughout the world in the early 1900's. Playing the guitar isn't an extension of macho egomania so it's not really a matter of "go for it"...Steve Lukather, Steve Morse, Steve Howe, John McLaughlin, etc. etc. just stand there and play, as did George Harrison...now if your talking about rock & roll "theater" that's a different story...but the guys in this realm, for the most part, are not the most genuinely accomplished instrumentalists or creative artists.
I quit tilting my guitar back when sitting. That is a bad habit if you ever plan on standing. Then if I wear my guitar at the same level as sitting, it feels pretty much the same standing except for the guitar moves to the left a bit. That can cause me to mistake the 5th fret for the third If I don't pay attention. I find some things easier when standing because you can move around more and the neck feels secure so I don't feel the need to grip the neck and can move my thumb lower. Standing must be better overall or everyone would sit while performing.
I always struggled standing up and playing until I joined a band, then I was forced to play standing up and it began to feel far more natural. Secret is practice as always :)