Why should a classical rest on your left leg?

rampside

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2012
Messages
3,118
Reaction score
410
Location
Minnesota's Iron Range
Guild Total
4
I used to fuss with all of this before I discovered the guitar strap...

Because of my beautiful and substantially well formed abdominal area, even with my left leg elevated, a strap is a must!:biggrin-new:

....unless I can use a soft edge of a bed or furniture to keep it in place.
 

X-170AB

Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
181
Reaction score
13
The Dynarettes do work. The only issue is that they confine the guitar to a particular angle, which may not be exactly the angle you want.

In a pinch, a hard guitar case can make a good 'foot stool'.
 

Darryl Hattenhauer

Venerated Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2006
Messages
11,083
Reaction score
317
Location
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Acorn,

I had no idea you make such wonderful furniture. I mean terrific, fabulous, and gorgeous.

How do I buy one of those footstools?

dh
 

adorshki

Reverential Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
34,176
Reaction score
6,791
Location
Sillycon Valley CA
Think "Posh Tour", Darryl.

That military-grade positioning was developed over a long time in an effort to reduce tension in the body and likelihood of injury.

Actually it was introduced to me as the way to ensure the neck stays stable in the most ergonomic playing position for fretting precision.
The fretting hand has no other duties than putting the fingers where they belong, and the optimum ability to place the thumb on the back of the neck and the tips of the fingers on the fretted strings.
Any other position results in less than ideal neck stability and thus a loss of precision.
It was deemed so important by my very first instructor that the entire first lesson was devoted to nothing else but how to hold the guitar.
The classical position also allows for the picking hand's forearm to rest on the lower bout at the perfect position so each finger is positioned over the appropriate string. Again, that hand has then no other work than to move the fingers and wrist where appropriate.
Yes it's a little tougher with dreadnaughts.
The next best position is standing, as Walrus mentioned.
If the guitar's neck heavy then a way to keep it stable at the best angle is required.
I'd use something to keep the strap from sliding around on my shoulder.

Spread your legs to accommodate the lower bout (having your right leg angle a bit downward and your left leg angle a bit upward assists, here).
Actually this is where the footrest comes in.
Personally that was one element that never worked for me, they're never stable enough, and they set up at an angle that's counterproductive for my needs at least.
But some sort of "pedestal"' for the left foot to keep the left leg a little higher than the right is required.
The best thing I've found is a Rubbermaid stepstool (see my avatar), but it's still not quite perfect.
Before I found that I used a large block of wood.
I like to keep the left leg "braced" by resting the tips of my toes on the pedestal and pulling the left foot in closer to me than the right foot.
Here's the ideal:
The guitar should be able to rest with the neck at the ideal 45 degree angle in the cradle formed by your legs and torso without you even using your hands.
It'll work for classical guitar 'cause the neck's light enough.
If you're trying to convert from years of playing lying back on the couch with guitar's neck held "level" across you body, it might not be so easy.
 
Last edited:

walrus

Reverential Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
23,957
Reaction score
8,020
Location
Massachusetts
Slight veer:

"Spread your legs to accommodate the lower bout".

Normally, hearing this would make me very cautious... :wink-new:

walrus
 

adorshki

Reverential Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
34,176
Reaction score
6,791
Location
Sillycon Valley CA
Slight veer:

"Spread your legs to accommodate the lower bout".

Normally, hearing this would make me very cautious... :wink-new:

walrus

I was told the guitar was intentionally designed to reflect the curves of the female form.
I'm sure the gitanos (gypsy flamenco players) have a colorful assortment of terms to cover the various parts of a guitar.
PS I like you new avatar.
 

adorshki

Reverential Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
34,176
Reaction score
6,791
Location
Sillycon Valley CA
Top