Sit or Stand?

[311boogieman]

For practicing?


I'm still rather new to guitar playing (if you take into account my age and # of hours put in). I remember when I started 10 years ago that someone told me to practice the same as you play/perform/record. Therefore, if you gig, you should practice standing up right?

You?

I don't gig, it is just a hobby - but I cannot play sitting down. The problem is that when I play (standing up) the edge of the guitar seems to aggravate what may be carpel tunnel syndrome- or at a minimum - my nerves in my right forearm. Am I the only one? Do I need a big wrist band like James Hetfield?

Thoughts?

 

[blackba]

I prefer to stand, just feels more comfortable, but my left should often begs to differ. Getting older sucks.

Instead of sitting down, I have put one leg up on a stool and balance the guitar on my leg, gives my shoulder a rest and feels more natural to me than sitting.

 

[RaceU4her]

i usually stand up at practice with the band because the angle i pick at changes from sitting down, once im warmed up though it dosent really matter

 

[dstroud]

stand for sure. i think i use totally different muscles when i stand than sitting. and if youre gonna gig might as well be used to standing. and im more comfortable standing. would probably play the most that way regardless

 

[romanianreaper]

Back when I was gigging, I stood when practicing to get used to my hand and arm being in that position for extended lengths of time, etc. Now that I do just recordings I am almost always sitting. I've thought about standing when recording so I'm actually up on my legs more because sitting is not good for a person, especially someone like me who sits all day at a desk while working.

 

[Racerxrated]

Stand. I have a stool in the jam room but never sit on it. Feels awkward. I gigged for 30 yrs and the only time I would sit was after I tore a ligament in my knee 20 yrs ago, and played some gigs with a splint on...I'd get a bar stool and lean on it for the show. Lol

 

[311boogieman]

^ My wife got me a nice Fender stool and I never use it.

..... i use totally different muscles when i stand than sitting.

Same. Feels super awkward to try to play sitting down. That and the picking attack as RaceU4her said. Additionally, I mostly play metal type riffage and sometimes like to mess with pedals - both of which are hard to do sitting down IMO.


That said. JerEvil doesn't seem to have any trouble doing it

 

[JMP2203]

both ofcourse

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I play sitting and have for the last 12 years but it's now starting to really irritate my shoulder/neck. Gonna start standing.

 

[jeff5]

Yes to both but I try to stand as much as I can. Generally I'm seated if I'm learning a song or just sore or tired lol. But I always viewed playing standing up, with the position and view of the guitar as my real practice, even though I don't gig.

 

[GregM]

I usually sit when recording unless I need to be up to stand on a pedal. Otherwise if I'm just playing it's always standing up. I have an issue with both arms going numb from the elbow down when playing and it's worse with the angles my arms are at when sitting - especially when playing bass.

 

[Valtyr]

I set the guitar strap just high enough so that it is pretty much in the same position whether I am sitting or standing.

 

[Ventura]

I practise for 3+ hours.... I sit.

For any recordings... I sit.

For jams and gigs and fun shit... I stand.

 

[errrrrl]

I sit for jamming and recording and got really use to it too. Started to jam with some friends recently and its taking a bit more time than I thought to adjust to playing standing up again.

 

[skullfxr]

Unfortunately because of my back and neck issues, I can't stand and play much more than an hour without pain. I used to always play standing though. Now I practice in classical position, but keep good posture.

 

[PBGas]

I find now that I am older that when sitting, I have more issues when playing. No problems when we rehearse or play live though.

 

[Bishop5150]

For general practice I sit down, At rehearsal I stand unless my back is bothering me.

 

[ZEEGLER]

I always stand.

 

[311boogieman]

So some of you guys have the opposite problem as me and some of you guys have no trouble with either. Interesting.

I tried again today and the other thing I remembered is that my picking hand palm muting just sucks when I'm sitting. Everything is off. I know it would take lots of adjustments and adaptation but I'm just going to keep on standing.

We'll I'm going to try a thick wrist band kind of thing to see if I can minimize the guitar digging in problem.

 

[blackba]

So some of you guys have the opposite problem as me and some of you guys have no trouble with either. Interesting.

I tried again today and the other thing I remembered is that my picking hand palm muting just sucks when I'm sitting. Everything is off. I know it would take lots of adjustments and adaptation but I'm just going to keep on standing.

We'll I'm going to try a thick wrist band kind of thing to see if I can minimize the guitar digging in problem.

I find that interesting as well. Some of us have neck and shoulder pain when playing standing for too long and sitting is better. Others have pain sitting, which I assume is from lower back issues.

I have considered getting rid of one of my 2 les Pauls as I just can't shoulder it for a whole weekend anymore.