EliteGuitarist.com - Footstool vs. Guitar Support, Basic Classical Guitar Posture

[@emanuelesimeone1810]

That's then the problem beyond my back pain I have during long practice sessions. Thanks Tavi Jinariu and Elite guitarist, such a great video

[@steveellis101]

I bought the ErgoPlay based on this video. It has transformed my playing due to the elimination of back pain. I wish I had used it 10 years ago. Many thanks for your very informative and insipiring videos.

[@marcioalvarez7159]

I have been using guitar support and it makes a great difference in my playing. It does reduce the stress a lot in my back. An important addition in my set up.

[@Koga-Ed]

Very worthy additional advice about the importance of a good playing posture and relaxation. Coming from a medical background I cannot emphasize enough how important this is. And although I personally find those guitar supports esthetically ugly, from a medical perspective using one should be the go-to choice for any classical guitarist (even apart from the fact that I find a footstool unstable). Having said this: one thing is often overlooked. Just like in many other professions, as a professional (or serious) guitar player, the prolonged seated posture the body is in, is already a strain on the body in itself. Therefore I would recommend every guitarist to deliberately spend daily time in doing general stretching and strength exercises when not playing. Especially core and shoulders. This helps the body to keep more balanced and thus helping to prevent (long-term) injuries. And lastly: I agree with the remark that good posture and relaxation while playing has its effect on your performance and audience. Although I know one example of a top level classical guitarist who plays with a bad posture and nevertheless is able to give beautiful performances: Ana Vidovic 😉.

[@goshu7009]

Very good lesson. I have started Guitar lessons for 4-5 months. This will be very good use.

[@katwoodytham8314]

I think the most important aspect is chair height. Young, short, most women sit on chairs that are too high. Test yourself. What angle is your thigh to your torso? Is your foot flat on the floor, relaxed even at ankle joint? If not those props are just partial solutions

[@juanlczpi7170]

A video that any guitarist of any style should watch. THANK YOU!

[@biggiesmalll]

Mind blown. Thanks for covering this. So basic and yet overlooked. I have a bad back and neck and will now be purchasing a guitar rest!!

[@atomic432]

Great video. I am also considering this question.

[@loutrotechaud2598]

Thanks for these tips! Very helpful for me as a beginner

[@christofinb]

What about holding the support over the right knee (more like a flamenco guitarists hold it) ? I think it is better than over the left knee, it seems more awkward at first but practice a few times like that it’s seems more natural, the guitar isn’t so away from you and hugs to the body which seems to produce a better resonance, also looks better.

[@dodoguitar2415]

What would you suggest for female classical guitar player? They have a bit different body structures and it’s hard to “rest back against the chest” position many times. Thank you so much in advance!

[@ianvargas7946]

Thank you for this video!

[@ME-lf7by]

Great advice from a master.. ergonomics is key 👍

[@gitaaa7740]

I foot stool for me can't get the angle I need. It would to be half to be about 10 inches off the ground. This looks like a good alternative.

[@seattlevegas66]

Ok - very good. What do you recommend for fretting hand techniques? Many of us use a very heavy grip - esp. for barre chords - that result in tendonitis and similar issues.

[@francescodifilippo613]

Hi, does this support work on Ibanez guitar George Benson?

[@bethells86]

If that is where you prefer the guitar to sit then why not just use the guitar strap? Or would that not allow for non-stressful playing?

[@jh.95]

With the support, the weight of the guitar is resting on top the player’s leg. With the strap, the weight of the guitar is pulling down on the player’s back and shoulders. But there’s nothing wrong with using a strap if that’s what one prefers.

[@areguapiri]

It would be very difficult to play classical guitar with a strap while sitting. Classical guitar is played at a specific angle that must be maintained while sitting.

[@stddisclaimer8020]

There is no conclusive evidence that using a footstool leads to any physical issues. Those who posit a causal relation between the footstool and neck/back problems based only on anecdotal "evidence," need to be reminded that what is coincidental is not necessarily connected. I too can submit anecdotes for the opposing view: Segovia, Bream, Williams, Barrueco, Russell, Vidovic,.and countless more who have used the footstool all their playing lives without problems. One a side note: the guitar support's suction cups leave a hard to remove, even indelible mark on the instrument's finish.

[@EliteGuitarist]

You are correct; we have not conducted an official medical study, with a population of 400+ individuals that takes into account both qualitative and quantitative data and we have not determined what the margin of error would be for such a study neither have we figured out the distribution curve. Tavi’s advice is anecdotal and is based on the acnedotal experiences of thousands of guitar students that have gone through our program over the years. Keep using the footstool; Segovia would give you a pat on the back if he could.

[@stddisclaimer8020]

@@EliteGuitarist Fair enough. Segovia would be equally miffed if you would mention Facebook as he would if you talked about a "Guitar Support." They did not exist back then; neither did they cry out to be invented. There's little need for the GS today (there being no conclusive link between the footstool and physical injuries), but we can leave that point as arguable.

[@EliteGuitarist]

@@stddisclaimer8020 Alrighty then! Keep on keeping on with your footstool.

[@stddisclaimer8020]

@@EliteGuitarist Keep on supporting yourself.

[@EliteGuitarist]

@@stddisclaimer8020 Yes, and each other!

[@nathanjonbobis3617]

can it be used for any kind of style like strumming? sometimes i play pop music so i do strunming my guitar

[@EliteGuitarist]

Sure it can, depending on the scale length of the guitar. If it is comfortable and saves your back, use it!

[@shawnkay5462]

very informative video.

[@EliteGuitarist]

Glad it was helpful!

[@randomstuff6063]

Man, I wish I saw this vid before I purchased a foot stool

[@mrman8859]

😆

[@ammiellopez6764]

Great video and advice. But I'm still surprised by John Williams and David Russell who have been playing for many years using the traditional posture.

[@stddisclaimer8020]

@Ammiel Lopez: FYI: And don't forget Segovia himself who lived to 94 with no footstool-related issues. There is no conclusive proof that using the footstool (and/or the Tarrega RH position) leads to any physical problems. Personal anecdotes notwithstanding, things coincidental are not necessarily things connected; that is, have a causal relation.

[@MichaelNeverisky]

It's a roll of the genetic dice... so, do you feel lucky? Chris Parkening, to offer one counter example, wasn't so fortunate.

[@TheAlanWilson]

Anna Vidovic also uses a footstool and Manuel Barruecco. I have always used a footstool and I am 70 years,old butI also workout everyday abd run three miles per day. I do practise in front of a mirror . I just never had a problem with the footstool.

[@nguyendangson1989]

Can you give me the link to buy the exact thing? I cannot find it. Thank you.

[@thejourney2451]

xguitars.com/products/ergoplay-troster-guitar-support?gclid=Cj0KCQiAl5zwBRCTARIsAIrukdML2JufP2ymPyN5KOPiAJuaOD_7-JACP0x6FJDdrio-svBPOQvqfFIaAl0yEALw_wcB I hope I really helped.

[@yunakovc]

Rip 90 CAD for the cheapest guitar support.