any good tips for playing guitar standing up

[JDC]

I can play fast scale runs sat down, when I play standing up my hands go a bit out of sync

I was wondering if anyone had some good tips for playing standing up, besides the obvious one, practice

I think my picking slightly changes, I'm still experimenting

[indysmith]

it's probably the differing angle of your arm against the guitar wen ur standing. Try shortening the strap length to bring it up to a similar playing position.

[Manji]

Since I've been practising standing up since I started, it just feels more natural for me now, so I don't know what advice I can give- just relax a little, make sure the guitar strap is at the right height that it feels comfortable, and think rock star :D

[cnotold]

i believe it's all about the style and you don't want your guitar above your chest of course! it all boils down to the style of music you play... i sum up in 3 catagories, that are;

1. way way up - impellitteri, yngwie  (full-shred and some indy as well)
2. mid - greg howe, richie kotzen (shred with style)
3. low - slash, nuno, page (pure style)

as marty friedman said, you will never score chicks above catagory 1. (j/k)


picking angle changes when you are standing up, and it causes problem when you try alternate picking... i am going for no.3 and i tell you... it's hard unless you've got a gifted long portion of arms.

[38thBeatle]

I would say get the height of the guitar right-forget about what looks cool-get comfortable and used to playing standing up and then, if you must, you can lower the guitar Ramones style thereafter in increments.

[WezV]

its just bloody practice!!!  although i should say i am probably the worst guitarist here and mainly play sitting down - but i used to play better than i do now and it just means you need to spend some time standing in front of a mirror, maybe with some marshall 4x 12 wallpaper behind you pretending like you are god!!!!!!!!!!

then you will earn to adjust

[Oli]

its just bloody practice!!!  although i should say i am probably the worst guitarist here and mainly play sitting down - but i used to play better than i do now and it just means you need to spend some time standing in front of a mirror, maybe with some marshall 4x 12 wallpaper behind you pretending like you are god!!!!!!!!!!

then you will earn to adjust

Yep, that's just it :)

Practise the riff whilst most comfortable (probably sitting), and perfect it, then stand up and practise some more, it'll come with time, and you'll be able to play it both standing and sitting :)

[Will]

well for a start i have long arms   8)
try starting up high - well not too high
and as you get comfortable, just drop a notch on your strap
Steve Clark is a good example, just don't go that far
http://www.elalmacendelrock.com/images/SteveClarkOnStage.jpg
i went through a phase of that kind once
 :roll:
now i fluctuate  :P

[shaman]

I experienced it as well...now I NEVER play sitting..never...and now,sitting feels strange to me.....after gigs I actually ache....(oops..I am 39...no wonder!!)

[_tom_]

after gigs I actually ache....(oops..I am 39...no wonder!!)

Me too, and I'm only 18  :?  :?

[FELINEGUITARS]

any good tips for playing guitar standing up?

Sobriety!
Honestly - I'm such a lightweight- two shandies and I'm gone

[shaman]

ahh..sobriety..reminds me of the time my singer/backup guitarist grabbed the mic stand and really laid into the final chorus of "Tush"..he fell off of the stage onto his back...never missed a note-had he been sober, he would have broken something :o

[Philly Q]

Being sensible and boring here, but it can't be good for your left wrist playing like Page or Steve Clark - you have to bend your wrist at such an awkward angle to play barre chords (unless you're really good at thumb-over-the-neck technique, I suppose).

I know it doesn't seem to have done JP any harm...

[Muso]

The players who play low down play fairly simple music and are usually sloppy live. Its simply impossible to play technical stuff with the guitar slung down low which is why all the 3 chord grungers do it.

I would say high up looks a bit naff but many technical players require that to be able to play the licks like John Petrucci. I play sitting down because I don't need to stand up I'm not in a band. My old guitar teacher who was a very decent player said to learn the stuff sitting down get it smooth then stand up and try to master it. I dunno really what to reccomend apart from start slowly don't expect to be able to play exactley the same as you are sitting down due to the change in angles.

[indysmith]

You're a vanity queen if you have it real low :P
has anyone else noticed how slash brings the neck right up in front of him for his solos? i guess this fixes the angle a bit, and looks kewl too... :roll: