Vlog#19 Holding the Guitar for Jazz

[@allenrussell1947]

Great Video. I am returning to guitar after a 40-year hiatus and was really struggling with reaching the fret-board using the old rifle grip the way I played as a kid. I found by accident that tipping the head-stock was a big relief.Then started watching videos of jazz masters like yourself and wow, What a difference.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Cool I have a lot of video lessons that will help you get back into it. You are my typical student. Check out guitarcollege.com/

[@irishmuso7129]

What a really helpful fundamental lesson on something we all take for granted and most of us are probably wrong. Thanks Rich.

[@rolfsimonsson2295]

Excellent advice, thank you Rich!

[@moondawg1439]

Your lessons are always excellent and pertinent, including this particular practicality !!

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thank you Moondawgey. Cool name from what beach movie?

[@moondawg1439]

Rich I do believe this was a character in the 1957 beach movie Gidget. I was only 6 years old but for some I acquired the nickname in high school and resurfaced while working as an emergency physician; some things cannot be shaken I guess😂. I really appreciate all of your work, but progress seems slow. Regards.

[@jasperjoppegeers8448]

I soooo like that sweet sound of his, butter to my ears that is!

[@harrytrombley4052]

Thanks Rich for the tip. I play mine the same as when I play my classical. Also allowing the lift hand to be at right angles to the fretboard

[@bgrierofficial]

Thanks for this advice, Rich! It has made a huge difference in my playing!

[@ajpegg2932]

Thanks for this Rich. I love your videos, and take notice of their content. I have bought a Quilter amp (101 Mini Reverb) and an Eastman AR 403CE, both of which you have reviewed positively, and I am delighted with them. This video is especially helpful for older guitarists with a few aches & pains, i.e. me. By the way, I am always super impressed by your guitar knowledge, musicality, and super smooth playing technique. Both you and Tim Lerch are an inspiration.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Thank you. Enjoy your new gear.

[@smatlanta1]

I've been struggling with this very issue (I play an L5). I was excited to see your video but quickly disappointed to see that I can't see how you're sitting. Is the guitar (in addition to the strap resting on your left leg now and the bout between your legs? Do you use a stool? Do you use a foot rest? When I sit with a strap it seems to pull down on my left should causing strain or it just flops around if I don't have enough weight on it (as opposed to when I stand with a strap) I'd love a little follow up video from a wider distance to see how you hold the guitar and sit. thanks.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

The guitar lower bout is on my right leg , not between the legs but about 5 inches above the knee. No foot rest. Angle the neck up by putting the right fore arm on the lower bout. Sorry I didn't show the complete guitar.

[@petersmart894]

Thanks for the follow up Rich to my request-it does work.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

You're welcome, guess a lot others wanted to see it as well

[@francisconeves2151]

Great advice here. I tried this position but I have some questions: is your right leg at a 90 degree angle with the floor? I can only rest the guitar near my knee and have a comfortable playing position IF my right leg is drawn back to about 45 degree angle with the floor.

[@HFSTube]

Were all the great guirarists like Barney Kessel or Herb Ellis wrong? I feel very relaxed playing the guitar resting on my right thigh. I had a little conversation with Barney in a break of a concert (I invited him for special German beer at the bar) and he said he couldn't imagine to play guitar while standing.

[@donmilland7606]

I love that L5!

[@walterlyon2460]

Rich, could you discuss your approach to damping. Old Herb Ellis had some sort of device. I have seem some use hair ties and other items. Then we damp with left hand and right hand, etc. I am just wondering what your approach to this issue is. Thanks.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Don't really do any damping. Herb had a device that attached to the truss rod nut that went over the nut to dampen the strings. Since I started playing the Quilter MicroPro200 with an 8" speaker that low feedback hasn't been a problem

[@joelg125]

Love your stuff Mr Severson but I think you need to upgrade your camera. Just suggesting.

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

I hope to do that soon, Thanks for watching

[@torontoguitarlessons8733]

Thanks Rich!

[@nealmycin7783]

Martin Taylor holds his like a classical guitar player,between his legs his guitar is 15 inch bout, in his younger days he did the tommy gun postion,maybe he had shoulder problems too!

[@Rowlandph]

Whats' going on with those pickups?...the way they look on top?...I"ve never seen that before..

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

They're hand engraved the same with the tail piece

[@lolobuggah2670]

I'm in the market for a fat body guitar like yours. I can't afford a Gibson or anything very expensive. Can you recommend something good in the $200 to $500 range?

[@steveb9325]

Bump it up a couple more hundred and go to Reverb and look for a used Eastman

[@evamello7983]

😚❤❤

[@donmilland7606]

what amp is that?

[@RichSeversonGuitar]

Quilter MicroPro200 8" This is an amazing amp and I can get you a good price on it

[@psomlo]

As far as being able to move the guitar around to access difficult chords, what strap position is best - strap button at base of the neck, or strap at headstock (like Wes)? I find with some chords, my fretting elbow is jammed tight up against my body, and it's more comfortable if I push the guitar away from me, or almost vertical for some chords.

[@primoroy]

I just finally learned the proper position from classical guitar methods (developed over hundreds of years).

[@donmilland7606]

I play mine between my legs