GEAR 36: Holds & Thrones
Beginners often feel awkward holding their first guitar. Most need a little guidance based on the relationship between their body proportions, the particular guitar and the chair.
The competing factors are many e.g.
the length of the arms and shoulder width vs that of the guitar neck and body
the size of the hands & fingers vs the neck profile & string action
the weight & balance of the guitar vs how it feels in the different stances
the length of the thigh & size of the gut vs the depth of the guitar
The way you hold it also influence the playing activities to follow after you decide to invest and get going:
Regarding the chair….
I like the knee of the leg that is supporting the guitar to be slightly above the thigh, so the guitar does not feel like it is gradually sliding off. If not, then a strap or foot stool is required to manage this.
Comfort for the rear is also essential. I have tried all manner of drum stools and chairs over the years. I really wanted the Tama Wide Rider to be the one, but alas it just didn’t fit me. My current seat is a handy-me-down office chair from my wife. Adjustable height and back, plus really comfy for those long sessions. If you do fancy an office chair, make sure the arm rests fold away or are removable. I have been enjoying this one now for many years, it’s a Sedus Netwin Drehstuhl 100.
Posture is a term which is normally associated with whether we sit up straight or slouch. For my part, I have always found straightening the back while I play to be taxing on the mind. Instead I just sit however and get up to walk about every 30mins and stretch.
Finding the right strap for your needs is another mission. Whichever you end up with, if you don't choose a locking strap, just make sure you have some way of ensuring that the traditional leather ends can’t come off mid-song.
The goal here is to remove as many controllable distractions as possible from the business of practising and performing notes.