Playing Standing Up

[Earth Breather]

I played a show last night with my band. The thing is, I have played sitting down for the longest time (in the classical position) and I never had any problem getting good access to the high frets. Except when I play standing up, I always have to move my body awkwardly to find a good position and I have yet to find a good one. The one I have found that works only decent for me is putting my left leg on something. Does anyone else know a better position?

 

[Anonymous]

What kind of guitar do you use?

 

[Earth Breather]

Ibanez RG-220B. I need a smoother guitar though, one that plays just as good sitting down as it does standing up.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm, just keep fiddling around with your guitar strap until you find a comfy zone I guess.

 

[Earth Breather]

I have found one, but it is really high. I want one relatively low but with the neck tilted upwards. Like Oli Herbert from All That Remains
<br>
YouTube - All That Remains-The Air That I Breathe
<br>
Ignore annoying singer
btw Oli Herbert is the only guy with long hair, playing an Ibanez S Prestige

 

[Varmz]

It's not the type of guitar. It is said that your strap should be made so that the guitar in the same position on the body standing up, as sitting down. Also, if you practise standing up, then you'll get used to playing standing up. It sounds simple and it is. I'm all for wearing guitars under the chin, how else can you get you're pinky up on the e string on the 24 fret?

 

[HackerX]

I play standing up with the body of my guitar sitting about smack bang on my hipbone, but with the end of the headstock up around the level of my shoulders (and often over) so that it sits on about 45 deg above horizontal.

It's just a matter of adjusting the strap to suit.

 

[progmetaldan]

Yep, it's all in the strap. Get one which grips well to your body, like one with suede on the inside, so that it will keep the neck up on an angle.

 

[SyXified]

It's not the type of guitar. It is said that your strap should be made so that the guitar in the same position on the body standing up, as sitting down. Also, if you practise standing up, then you'll get used to playing standing up. It sounds simple and it is. I'm all for wearing guitars under the chin, how else can you get you're pinky up on the e string on the 24 fret?

I completely agree. Even thought it has been the trendy thing to do to have your guitar hang down around your ankles these days, having it up pretty damn high keeps it nice and snug to you so it sits still and is more reminiscent of your sitting down position. For course, there are inherent differences when playing standing up than sitting down beyond just that - and I have always found that the answer is that old idiom - practice, practice, practice. The more you practice with your band the better, because you probably compose your solos sitting down and get them up to speed, so then the more you practice through the tunes standing up the better those solos will lock in standing up. You'll naturally begin to make the adjustments you need to. When I was doing the 80s metal thing, I had to learn how to play everything while running, dancing, doing tricks, all sorts of crazy shit. You've just gotta do it a lot and think about what you are doing and be critical of yourself, find solutions for issues you are having, etc. In time it all falls into place.

 

[Earth Breather]

I think I need a better guitar strap. I actually have the same one as Jari Maenpaa in the Wintersun video for Beyond the Dark Sun (The One With Spiders and spider webs). Anyone got suggestions for good straps? I was thinking a DiMarzio Clip Lock.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a clip lock and it's great even though it's a Levi's.

 

[HackerX]

I have a <$20(au) dunlop nylon strap (though I'd probably want to get proper strap locks, but that's another issue). Play around with the one you have now before spending any money.

 

[Earth Breather]

Mine is just and gripped as the outside, there is no grip.

 

[Anonymous]

I paid 15$ canadian for my Levi's clip lock strap.

 

[Kenneth R.]

i buy cheap straps. i buy nice straplocks for them. suits me fine, it's all in the adjustment and placement OF the strap, I say. no matter what kind of strap you get, it's gonna accomplish the same thing, and since they're adjustable, length doesn't make much difference either. strap types are mostly a cosmetic thing, with comfort factored in too. for actual playing utility though, you're going to have to learn to play in a position OTHER than the classical posture, if you're standing with an electric guitar. you might as well face that now.

 

[Mystique1721]

I played a show last night with my band. The thing is, I have played sitting down for the longest time (in the classical position) and I never had any problem getting good access to the high frets. Except when I play standing up, I always have to move my body awkwardly to find a good position and I have yet to find a good one. The one I have found that works only decent for me is putting my left leg on something. Does anyone else know a better position?

what's the name of yer band? maybe i've seen you guys...i live in the Los Angeles area too.

 

[Brisket]

Just do what Paul Masdival does and play it as high as you can for better access to the frets. Who cares if it doesn't look "metal"... It's efficient.

 

[ProggyMike]

I have found one, but it is really high. I want one relatively low but with the neck tilted upwards. Like Oli Herbert from All That Remains
<br>
YouTube - All That Remains-The Air That I Breathe
<br>
Ignore annoying singer
btw Oli Herbert is the only guy with long hair, playing an Ibanez S Prestige

Isn't that what Herman Li plays?

Anyhoo, that song sounded good until the guy opened his mouth.

He is annoying alright

 

[Earth Breather]

I found a really good position with the neck tilted up almost vertically, but the thing is, my strap just slides right out of it and the neck is lowered like a clock hand. I definately need a better strap. I am feeling pretty confident about the DiMarzio Clip Lock, so I will get it. But do they come with strap locks?

 

[progmetaldan]

I'm not sure, but the Dunlop straplocks are only $3 each over here, so they're probably even cheaper over there...