Sitting around playing your guitar is almost zen at times, but an uncomfortable guitar can make it a pain. What is the most comfortable guitar to play sitting down? A thin-bodied electric guitar is more angular and can dig into your thighs. For comfy jam sessions, I recommend an acoustic. Instead of concentrating all the weight along one narrower edge, the wide, hollow body is lighter in your lap. Resting a wider curve on your lap is a more relaxing way to practice. Remember to be aware of your posture, so you don’t put extra pressure on your spine. Every inch you lean forward compounds the weight, and that can lead to pain and back problems.
What is the most comfortable type of guitar to play sitting down? The most comfortable type of guitar to play sitting down is a classic acoustic. Choosing this wider, lighter, and more weight-distributed style will help prevent pressure and pain. However, it is vital to adopt a good posture to prevent backaches and damage over time. Having the right guitar, hold, and position will make a world of difference.
How Should You Sit When Playing Guitar
You can have the most comfortable guitar in the world to play sitting down, but it will still hurt without good posture. There’s more to comfortable playing than a chair. It’s important to know how to sit properly.
For outstanding seated guitar posture, there are a few simple things to keep in mind. Hunching over your guitar will only cause you pain, so sit up straight. Bring your shoulders back slightly, and set your guitar on your left thigh.
It helps a great deal to have a small footrest to elevate your right leg. Doing this gives you an easy way to place the weight of your instrument in your lap. Since the neck needs to angle upward, placing your right foot higher gives your body a natural shape to cradle the weight while angling the neck.
It is vital to wear a properly adjusted strap when you play. Not only does this prevent accidental instrument mishaps, but it also lets you rest all the weight on your legs and shoulder. From this stable position, your guitar is secure, and your hands are free to play.
Range of motion is important. Without it, you won’t be able to hit all the notes. Moreover, following these simple recmmendations will help you play pain-free and prevent unnecessary hand exhaustion from holding up the instrument.
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Should You Practice Guitar Sitting Down
You should always practice the way you play. Although it is beneficial also to practice standing up, it doesn’t make much sense for a musician who plans to be seated to practice another way more often. I recommend learning both styles.
Since you never know what the circumstances will be when you play in the future, it’s important to learn both techniques. As a beginner, sit to play. However, as you grow in skill, add standing to your repertoire.
Notably, stand-up playing style is easier on your back. Unless you have bad knees or foot problems, you may want to consider an upright play style. By using both styles, you will be a more versatile and capable musician.
Does Sitting Down Change The Sound Of Guitar Music
Although you may find it more comfortable to play guitar sitting down, it could change your sound. Especially if you tend to hunch over your instrument, the soundboard, motions, strumming, and even the body contact on a hollow-style guitar will be different. Good posture is essential for good playing.
On the plus side, you can remedy all of this by sitting correctly. Moreover, if you play electric guitar, it’s less likely to affect the body when you sit improperly. Unfortunately, it will still be bad for your back.
Most electric guitars have solid bodies. Thus, being in greater physical contact with the guitar won’t change the tone much. Meanwhile, a hollow body won’t vibrate the same if you curl more of your body around it.
Some musicians find the difference minimal, but it is noticeable to trained ears. The best way to combat sound variations from sitting is to simply sit up and hold your guitar right.
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What To Sit On When Playing Guitar
To get comfortable with your guitar while sitting down, it matters where and how you sit. A couch, beanbag chair, or other soft seat is less than ideal. Without proper body support, you’ll tend to slouch, causing back pin and eventual damage to your spine.
You may have noticed professionals sit on a stool when they play guitar seated. This isn’t an accident, and it has nothing to do with how light and portable stools are. A stool or stool-style seat with a backrest is perfect. Preferably, choose an adjustable or correct height stool. It’s important to be able to set your feet flat on the ground or on the crossbars.
A footrest that elevates one leg is great, but keep both feet flat if you don’t have it. This will wear your wrists out faster, but it’s better for your back and your music. Elevating the second foot and knee gives more support to your guitar, removing the pressure from your fret hand.
As for the stool itself, the style should be comfortable for you. Backrests are best if you like to recline slightly as you play, but they’re not necessary. However, if you play for extended periods, some back support can help you maintain your posture better.
Features like more legs don’t make much difference. There is a part of the seat that matters much more. You will want a padded stool. No matter how dedicated or hardcore you are, a little seat padding makes a huge difference.
Avoid solid wood-topped stools. Instead, make sure you have a guitar stool and footrest, or at least a padded bar stool to practice on.
How To Hold A Guitar Sitting Down
If you want to stay comfortable playing your best guitar, then you need to look at more than the seat and your feet. Hold matters as well. Learning muscle memory and doing it right from the first will save you pain and trouble later.
When you play an electric guitar, your instrument will likely rest on the inside edge of your thigh. From this perch, your strumming hand is free to do its job. Your legs will be apart, not unlike a cellist, but slightly less spread.
Get a footrest so your other leg will help support the weight of your instrument. The curve of your electric guitar will rest right over the elevated leg. That is what it’s designed for.
Those who play acoustic or classical guitar will rest the whole instrument on one thigh rather than between the legs and resting over the other elevated thigh. If you play this type of guitar, your instrument’s curve goes over the thigh on your strumming hand side.
Some players cross their legs. While there’s nothing technically wrong with this, I suggest starting with your feet flat. If you can’t reach the ground, then rest your feet on the crossbars of the stool.
Pay attention to the neck angle as you play. It is best to keep the guitar neck at roughly a forty-five-degree angle. You can adjust up or down to suit your own taste but start at forty-five.
The back of your guitar should rest lightly against your body. You don’t want to curl around the instrument because that will limit your range of motion. Instead, think of your body as a stand for the guitar to sit upright to play.
Your strumming arm will cradle the front of the guitar, draping over it. Meanwhile, your fret hand goes under the neck, and your hand reaches around to touch the strings. Both of your elbows will be bent.
It may feel a little strange to hold your instrument in your lap at first, but you’ll quickly get used to the sensation as you practice.
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Final Thoughts
Whether you’re relaxing to practice or up on stage with a stool in the spotlight, seated guitar playing can be very comfortable. Unfortunately, bad posture or the wrong guitar can make an otherwise enjoyable evening into a painful memory. If you plan to sit while playing, choose an acoustic guitar and a well-padded stool.
The body styles of some electrics are too angular for sitting. With all the weight in a thin curve of wood, your lap will quickly feel the pressure. Moreover, the same unique shapes that make electric guitars beautiful can hinder you when you play seated. Look at guitar players of different styles. You’ll notice that most electric players choose to stand because it’s more comfortable.
Don’t fight your guitar or try to force it into a more comfortable position. Instead, opt for a guitar you can get comfortably settled with while you sit.