"Why Is It So Hard for Me to Play Guitar Standing Up?" | Maybe Your Guitar Is TOO LOW

[@Nighttrainpiper]

As you play more standing up, you’ll do some more adjustments and probably go lower eventually. It happened with me over ten years of playing in a band once a week (not including practices). Playing a bit lower is really great for lead stuff especially. Over time as your muscle memory adjusts you’ll feel more confident with whatever.

[@nickcage3703]

There's also something to be said for just practicing while standing up. Once I got my big amp and my pedal board, I stopped sitting down when practicing so i could have easier access across my pedal board. Now i almost don't even notice a difference, regardless of the strap height (to a certain extent). Also, with the barre chords...instead of even changing the strap height, you can just angle the guitar higher. The sharper angle makes it a lot easier

[@Foxikaze]

One explanation for why some people can play with long straps is arm length. If you look at guys like James Hetfield or Jimmy Page, they have really long arms, so having a lower guitar strap is naturally more comfortable for them.

[@bimscutney1242]

It you look at the Beatles their guitars are slung much higher than later rock guitarists. I think the low slung guitar thing is for cool points. The “power stance.” You play a low slung guitar long enough you’re going to develop issues in your wrists.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

It DOES look cool... Haha, but yes, painful for me to have the guitar that low.

[@playalot86]

I always shift my guitar when I’m standing and playing. I only stand when I play. When it’s time for a lead I shift my guitar neck to a hard acute angle. When I’m jamming rhythm, it’s a bit more parallel to the ground. Having this adaptive mindset really helps me out!

[@ItsMeVolatility]

I really appreciate someone talking about this! I’ve been having the exact same issues whenever I play standing

[@joshstivers9042]

Definitely a thing man. I remember I had the same issue joining a band after a really long hiatus from playing music live. You'll not even notice after the first hour playing with others and you'll improve your playing overall in a band situation too. Cheers man, love the variety on the channel!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks so much!

[@ChristTiger]

I was taught that the guitar hanging, should be in the same position as when you are sitting. It makes a huge difference. I never could play with it hanging low. I’m primarily a bass player, then guitar. 70/30 time. You’ll get the hang of it, don’t give up. I appreciate your willingness to share.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for watching!

[@chadcurtis8731]

I started getting shooting wrist pain from guitar many years ago and as a self taught player, wondered why (bad posture). I agree completely, especially when you practice sitting, the angle is much different than a low strapped guitar, it’s choked up higher to your fret arm position. Another thing to consider is not having the neck at a 90 degree angle to your body, (think classical guitar posture 45 degree angle). As a bluegrass guy, the guitar players play with their strapped guitar ridiculously high. The same goes for me with my primary instrument playing mandolin, I strap it pretty high where it’s comfortable to play tons of fast picking notes. Another thing to consider is the angle of your fretboard when strapped low, for example, if you want to be like James Hetfield, roll the fretboard downward so you cant see the fretboard and lean forward, you will feel the pressure come off of your wrist. Looking cool isn’t something I care about or I wouldn’t play in bluegrass bands haha. The important part is for you to keep enjoying playing music! Cheers buddy. 🎸 🎶

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks man! You must be good to keep up with Bluegrass! Well done! No offense to James Hetfield, but I don't want to play like him. haha

[@hannesganahl6384]

You are right!

[@tomblankinship4750]

I went through this. Now, I always practice standing up. You may find that you’ll eventually drop the guitar lower and angle the neck more upward. This is just as effective and looks a little better. I also like to feel the guitar on my pelvic bone as it’s easy to force an angle if I really want to look at the fretboard. I’m also trying to look T the fretboard less and less.

[@mode3fpv931]

If you watch pretty much anyone play live with a guitar positioned lower than sitting position would be, they almost always play with their thumb over the top of the neck as this allows your wrist to be at a much more confortable angle - even though this usually means playing things like bar chords differently, using your thumb to fret to 2 lower strings. It took me a while to realise this but once i changed the way i played some chords etc to use my thumb like this it made playing standing up much eaiser. Just watch some videos of your favorite guitar players playing live and you'll see what i mean... not sure why noone tells you this when teaching guitar!

[@EIN91]

That's how I felt with my arm and fingers but the body adapts. Actually being too low is worst for arm position try going up as high as you can then work your way down.

[@omelettttttteeeeeee]

I practice mostly standing up, because my practice room is relatively small and I have a bunch of stuff in it so space is at a premium. My teacher started me out playing up really high, so the lowest part of the guitar sat just above my waistline as I played. This was alright, but I've always, for like a year, found chord transitions to be the weakest point in my progression as a guitarist. One of my favorite guitarists is Jonny Greenwood and I was watching him play live with The Smile and noticed that he wears his guitar really really low. Not down to his knees, but low enough that when playing, the middle of his guitar's body sits at his waistline. I watched Post Malone's Nirvana tribute stream and he plays even lower. So I thought I'd try it out for a few days and I found that my chord transitions improved significantly even my bar chords lower on the neck, and playing melodies/scales feel more or less the same. It is definitely not ergonomic though as I round my back a lot more, but it hasn't caused any issues yet, but I think that since I stand practicing most of the time, it might eventually take a toll. It's an interesting finding since most people say that it is more comfortable and accessible to play up high. I guess it goes to show that you should always try to shake things up a bit every once in a while and there might be a crazy unexpected optimization that you find for free.

[@michaelseidl1562]

try to look at the side or a bit backside of the neck. u should be able to see the A string under the E sting. its less tension in the wrist wich is the most common problem

[@wadehampton1534]

Bradley, try shortening your strap. Play around with it, and find the sweet spot. I have the best results with the my strap trussed up a bit, it changes the angle of your wrist and makes barre chords a lot easier. Those people who have it slung low, baby stepped into it. It looks cool, but it's mechanically a lot more difficult. Good luck, you're getting a lot better with your playing. Keep practicing and find the best length for your strap.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks! Yes, I ended up with the strap pretty short.

[@justinsjoint6232]

I play barre chords without the "barre" part. I loath barre chords. They're hand killers and for guys with long gangly arms, require a certain level of contortion that would make an escape artist jealous. The real secret is this: When you can learn how to mute or just not pick strings you don't want to play, you lose the need for your index finger to mimic the nut. Without the index finger "barre", your hand will feel much more natural and comfortable. I also personally think barre chords sound too muddy most of the time, and by only playing the 2, 3, or 4 strings I need, the chord itself sounds better when played. Another thing about standing up is that your view angle changes. When you sit, you tend to bend over just a bit giving you a better view of the fretboard, but when you stand, you are straight up and lose that better view angle. This is where learning to play more by feel and less by sight comes in really handy. Sounds stupid, but it's a real thing. Most of what I play is played without looking at the fretboard or at my left hand. When I do look down, I'm looking mostly at the dots on top of the fretboard rather than the fretboard itself. All of this stuff will come naturally, of course, if you practice standing up a lot. For me, I never practice seated because it really does make a difference to sit, and I don't sit when I'm on stage playing.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

All good points, especially about the view angle of the fretboard changing. Playing without looking is definitely something I've been trying to improve.

[@bear8myparents734]

Hmm. I have the opposite problem. I can't play sitting down. My strap hangs low like you mentioned. When I sit down it feels too high. Standing up with a low strap makes it easier to palm mute IMO. It feels more natural and I don't know why. 3 decades of band practice in a garage with no place to sit may have caused it. I've never thought about it until I watched this.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

I guess it's just whatever we get used to! I'm going to practice standing up every other day and see if anything changes, but for now, keeping the guitar high works for me.

[@austinmizurov1592]

New sub here , thank you so much..i thought I would never find out secrets on how to practice while standing up.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Happy to help!

[@MisterCross]

Tom Morello another high player. Not bad company indeed. Great playing Bradley, holy poop, hell yeah!

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Another good example!

[@justinpaquette224]

Try playing bar chord with thumb grabbing the low E string and muting the A string and not using you pinky. There are many benefits to this such as being able to play for 6 hours, being able to switch from rhythm to lead way faster and often sitting in a band mix better because you don't have that low 5 mudding up the mix. Most folks playing with the guitar lower are playing bar chords like that and I would say that often pro musicians in general play like that, because 2 to 4 notes in a chord is usually better than 5 or 6

[@meghan9436]

What an inspiration! I used to play guitar back in high school. I took private lessons to get away from the cliques associated with high school band. I unfortunately had to leave my acoustic guitar in storage back in Canada. My current place does not allow instruments, and in fact the walls are so thin that I can hear when my neighbours cough in the next door apartments. But, maybe this could be remedied if I get headphones instead of an amp to start out. Maybe I can plug it into my computer? I’d have to research and find out more. But even if there’s effectively no sound coming out of an amp, I have to wonder how much sound would still carry just from the strings themselves.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

It depends on the guitar! Some electrics are pretty quiet when you play them unamplified, but others are really resonate and can "ring" pretty loudly!

[@mcfats7652]

For the barre chords try pushing your wrist forward more and don't have it rigid. The wrist needs to be more slack, loose, fluid for those barre chords. I also play with a shorter strap but not as high as that. Yeah I used to play it that high too. Glad to see you're still playing. Slick tele! I just got a Reverned Contender 290 in Medieval Red. Gonna go play now!

[@RolandsDad]

I've played for a long time to suck as much as I do, but here's what I can pass on: - You'll find your spot/style. It'll start "wrong" and as you improve, you'll grow and it will inevitably change. - If you're playing well, there is no "wrong". - Looks don't equate sound. Ditto effects. - Don't buy gear to improve on poor performance. You'll know when it's time for an upgrade. I struggled with playing upright but once I swapped, I can do either or now. I definitely have a spot where my reach has to be, and I can tell when it's wrong, but quick slide on a strap and I'm kosher. It is the sort of thing you have to do more, but you can't focus on. It came to me when I started playing live with friends and bands, it sort of clicked for me out of necessity and circumstance. Sitting the entire time you practice IS making a habit, however. You don't have to play with a guitar painfully low, but finding the right zone should be easy. I find with it totally horizontal, right at waist is perfect. Maybe a couple inches higher, but that neighborhood is solid. I don't struggle with anything then.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@Smoking_Hot_Scott]

I’m way behind on my watching of STUFFandTHINGS and STUFFandTHINGS Plays because I’ve been spending a lot of time at gas stations putting large amounts of gas into the ground but I now have a few days off in a row so…..BAM!!!

[@RRL110]

That works to an extent but still not totally as easy. When sitting I instinctively have the guitar tilted a bit so i can see the fretboard. When standing I cant see it as well which is harder. Sometimes when standing i will try to bend it it with my leg or something but its to tiring. I thought about a little cushion pad on the back to make it tilt a bit.

[@moogdome2562]

Thank you so much.

[@gentelmanjunkie542]

Thanks I feel hopeful & am gonna buy that cool leather strap I wanted but didn't think I could use. Maybe I'll start high & lower the strap an inch each month or so? Hmmm.

[@thesportsjunkie4827]

Great video bro

[@Smoking_Hot_Scott]

Yeah you’re playing has improved greatly since I last saw you play. Don’t let that go to your head though! ☝️

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Haha! Thanks!

[@josephheikes1459]

Helpful advice, thank you.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

You're welcome!

[@scotchvelo]

This is super helpful. I was shocked and depressed when I finally was able to play open chords and a couple of scales only to stand up and not being able to play them AT ALL. Check out John Dwyer of the OCees. Dude has his guitar right under his chin but he is a killer player.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

So glad it helped! I'll have to update it soon. As I became more comfortable, standing with the guitar worn high up, it began to get a little lower.

[@droidlittle582]

I play my guitar up high as well. Hanging it down by your knees will never help. Check out bands in the extreme metal and technical metal genres and you will almost never see a guitar below the waist. And man can those folks shred!

[@loukiae6121]

I had the same issue with the strap and the position of my guitar but I'm shorter than all those legendary guitarists and my limbs are not as long and slender as theirs. If you were more of a sloppy player then yeah you could probably hold it even above your knees.

[@theblytonian3906]

Unless a 6'4" ectomorph with digits like a daddy long legs spider, around the knees is an effete aesthetic affectation. George Harrison & the 1960s got it right. Epitome of cool without affectation.

[@surrected4526]

Better to look “uncool” with healthy wrists and hands and shoulder and neck. Free of injuries? Nothing cooler than that really.

[@Northeastexposure]

Tom Morello the shredding guitarist for Rage Against the Machine worn his guitar higher than most! That dude was no dork nor did he look like one. 🎸

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

Good example!

[@88pynogrl]

I don’t think it looks dorky. It looks cool to me. Kind of reminds me of how Angus Young holds his guitar.

[@LedgerAndLace]

As you were demonstrating I thought, "Oh, this is all body mechanics." But you figured that out. Robert Smith is another upper torso player. You're in good company!

[@colinkelly279]

Dude, is that Diamond tattoo new? I assume inspired by the soon to be Mrs. Bradley?

[@colinkelly279]

As an aside, I will be playing sitting forever- and am going to develop the biggest thumb ever from playing the F Chord. But.... I do love playing every single day and am 8 months in now.

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

It's a couple of years old... and maybe. ;-)

[@stuffandthingsyoutube]

That's so great that you're sticking with it!

[@screwday]

Tom Morello has his way up too

[@sour1695]

Me: I want to look like Billie Joe Armstrong when I'm playing alone in my room. After an hour: *google seach* "carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms." 😂

[@friedmac7146]

Bradley 🌱😊 Check out, Ignite by Benjamin Patrick Wah oh oh oh. 🎵 (Omaha Nebraska)

[@jogmas12]

You making a guitar face in the thumbnail Brad???

[@chadbrambers8346]

loosin that strap and smoke a j.

[@fajaradi1223]

And then missing a step on the way up to the stage? Tripped down in the front of everybody is not something to be proud of.

[@boiadedios]

It’s two different sports…

[@austinmizurov1592]

Finally someone says it out loud..I cannot for the life of me play while standing yet

[@ryansilver5497]

Dave Mathews

[@boiadedios]

The rule is as fast u play as down it goes

[@MrTimdriver]

Jimmy Page has really long arms.

[@alexsmart5452]

wait wait wait wait..whats the point of being a rock God if not looking cool? then it just about the money, drugs, and sex, and you really need to ask yourself if thats enough?

[@Smoking_Hot_Scott]

I noticed the guy from Rage Against the Machine has his guitar further up on his chest and he’s pretty cool so there you go.