Marc Pilon wrote:As someone who's experiencing some back problems after playing for a while (after an hour or so), I've tried various approaches.
While sitting, the dynarette works well and brings the guitar to a good playing height. But even after an hour or so, my back needs a break.
Recently, I've purchased a Godin Encore nylon string guitar, which I play standing with a strap. So far, this is the best option for my back: I can move around while standing, and the guitar itself--being thinner than a regular guitar--doesn't require me to have my right arm extended over the lower bout so much.
The guitar itself is fun to play: incredible access up the higher frets, wonderful action (almost like an electric) and great sound amplified (although a different sound strictly speaking from a regular classical). Also, because the body is chambered, it's a great practice instrument unplugged: it puts out a surprising amount of sound unamplified, but not to the point that it would bother the neighbours.
To get back (no pun intended!) to the topic, however, I think a lot of the points that Andrei makes are certainly valid for me: standing really makes a difference in my case and it promotes moving around, which is also very helpful in avoiding a static position.
The only problem with Andrei's suggestions is dancing with the music: he's right of course, but in conservative classical circles that would be anathema.![]()
Cheers,
Marc
ronjazz wrote:Well, I've just "discovered" the highly successful, very musical, extremely accomplished Katona Twins in their new
stances, which happens to be standing while wearing cutaway Ramirez guitars with wireless pickups. They actually
have a loose sort of choreography in their presentation, more like the Rolling Stones than any classical approach,
but, from what I've seen on YouTube, these brothers are playing to huge crowds, have orchestral accompaniment,
and appear to play virtually anything they want to enthusiastic receptions. As for musicianship, they are far superior
to most of the over-produced, over-hyped crossover performers touring the world, and really have developed a
remarkable act and, I would assume, equally remarkable incomes. Clearly, standing while playing the classical
guitar is no barrier to success.
kenaces wrote:Great discussion
I am shopping around now for a shorter scale guitar and have been considering a romantic guitar for the shorter scale, ability do spend some of my practice time standing, and to position the left hand closer to my body(dealing with some shoulder/arm issues). Now that I see others standing with "standard" classical guitar I am rethinking a bit.
Can anyone share some thoughts/experiences playing standing with "standard" classical vs romantic guitar. How much does the small size of romantic help in achieving good positioning when standing? Is the weight of the instrument a factor worth considering?
Thanks in advance
I do not play with strap attached to headstock... I tried it and found guitar unstable and thus less convenient to play...I use buttons for strap this way guitar is very stable and not moving anywhere.kenaces wrote:thanks
Will standing with a strap hurt a romantic guitar if the strap attaches to the headstock?
Scot Tremblay wrote:I agree with Andrei that a strap attached to the head of a modern size guitar feels unstable. But I actually prefer that feeling of movement allowed to the guitar but everyone is different.
Bare in mind, the 19th century guitar is a fair bit smaller than modern so doesn't suffer nearly as much from that "unstable feeling". A solution could be as I mentioned on a different thread, put the pins in the end block and the heel block through the back. This is often how arch top guitars are set up and although can feel a little cramped on the 19th century guitar, it's a very stable position. As I said on the other thread, don't put the pin through the 19th century guitar heel. The heel on those guitars is much smaller than modern classicals so don't contain enough wood to support a hole drilled into them the same as a modern instrument can...in this case size does matter! Trust me on this one, I've had to repair this very thing more than necessary.
dory wrote:A lot of us in this group are no longer in our "first youth" so to speak. Many of us have physical issues that make one position or another comfortable or uncomfortable. My feeling is that we each have to find the position that best works with our particular physical issues. There is no particular correct way to get the guitar intoa a comfortable position without causing or aggravating physical problems. Some guitarists, such as John Williams seem able to use a footstool at the highest setting until a relatively advanced age. (I believe he is in his early 70s--not ancient butold enough that ifthe footstoolwas going to hurt him it already would have. ) other people like Andrei have back problems but good feet, and are able to stand for long periods without aggravating their back problems. Other people with back problems find their pain is aggravated by standing. In my case, the footstool bothers my left hip, but foot problems prevent me from standing for long periods of time. (I can walk with no problems but standing bothers my feet a lot.) My conclusion is that there is no one "right" answer to the isdue of how to be comfortable during long periods of practice. The guitar is an ergonomically challenging instrument. In our local guitar society most but not all of the members 40 or older use some alternate support system, but each of us uses a different one. Most younger members have no problem with the footstool. I didn't either in my teens and 20s, but I could alsomstand for hours at that age. Andrei plays beautifully, and has founda position that works for him. In my case I would need orthpedic surgery to do the same. In my opinion trying to find a one size fits all solution just doesn't work.