Members msmooth Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 As per my earlier post, I am getting ready to embark as a solo or a duo, if I find the right partner. When I perform with my band, I play the electric guitar and always stand. I actually am one of those guys who gets into and moves when I play. When playing the accustic, I sit. This is for two reasons. 1). My current accoustic guitar does not have a strap button yet, which can be easily fixed. I can't stand the position of the guitar whne a strap is tied to the headstock. 2). When I have played and accoustic while standing, it is not as comforatable and when i am sitting, due to the thickness of the body. Standing is o.k. when I'm just strumming, but I play any fingerpicking or more intricate parts better while I am seated. However, I believe that by sitting I may not be as energetic as an over-all performer. I also believe that vocals are better when standing. Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm a sitter. I play better when I sit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 I prefer to stand. When I sit, the guitar position varies depending on the chair. When I'm standing, the strap always keeps the guitar in the same position. Plus I sing better standing. Only problem is that I tend to pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 My rule: if it's a restaurant, gallery or private party where I'm more background, I sit. If it's a tavern or a concert where I'm more the focus, I stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chip Stewart Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 If you will just be playing guitar, sitting is fine. If you will be singing, you really need to stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Blanchard Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm a stander. There are some settings where sitting works, but I just feel that standing is the right thing to do. I feel the same way about teaching; I can't sit at a desk in the front of the class as it just doesn't seem right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members glepko Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 all of the above. i do prefer a tall stool with a back though - just below standing height but not as in your face Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members leftyjay Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 i have a tall stool that i use during my mellow instrumental songs. it gives me a small break from standing. i usually stand up behind a keyboard while playing guitar and singing. but i like to move around during my solo leads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JimboKeys Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 Playing in bands i've always stood, but transitioning to solo keyboard player i'm now sitting for the first time. Apart from sitting feeling more natural for those sort of gigs, playing solo opens up the dynamics to where i can really get some use out of damper and expression pedals, and i need both feet for that. I find that using a tall stool doesn't impact my singing at all (not like sitting in a folding chair), and also puts me at a comfortable height where i'm not hidden behind the keyboards. - Jimbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members donkey 12 Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 I always stand. It feels more comfortable to me, and I think it makes my performances more lively. It is especially uncomfortable for me to play my steel-bodied National sitting down. It feels like I am trying to hold on to a large, wet fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pinkfloydcramer61 Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 I usually sit for solo gigs, simply because it takes too long to jack up a grand piano and put it up on blocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sgt. Rock Posted January 27, 2012 Members Share Posted January 27, 2012 I sit but I have two different collapsable stools; one is 18" high and the other is 30" high and I use one or the other depending on the venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueStrat Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 I use an adjustable height office stool. But I've never had any problems singing in a standard chair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members eyesore Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 i played in a band for 10 yrs ;standing but i prefer sitting; i can grab chords easier.but i think i still play better at home ,sitting on the couch with the guitar firmly planted on the couch cushion.the guitar dosen t move ...neither do i!...i've asked if i could bring my couch to my next gig; but they said.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 As per my earlier post, I am getting ready to embark as a solo or a duo, if I find the right partner. When I perform with my band, I play the electric guitar and always stand. I actually am one of those guys who gets into and moves when I play.When playing the accustic, I sit. This is for two reasons. 1). My current accoustic guitar does not have a strap button yet, which can be easily fixed. I can't stand the position of the guitar whne a strap is tied to the headstock. 2). When I have played and accoustic while standing, it is not as comforatable and when i am sitting, due to the thickness of the body. Standing is o.k. when I'm just strumming, but I play any fingerpicking or more intricate parts better while I am seated.However, I believe that by sitting I may not be as energetic as an over-all performer. I also believe that vocals are better when standing.Any thoughts? Always standing...I, too, sing better standing, prefer to be a bit more "energetic", and, do to a spinal injury from some years ago, find sitting for more than 30 minutes to be very painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Boomer25 Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 Playing electric guitar or playing with a band = standing. Acoustic solo or duet = sitting. Performing live in front of others by myself, I feel more comfortable sitting on a high stool. All in all I feel a bit more relaxed and connect with the audience and with the music a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 I stand with a few exceptions. If I have to work the wah-wah pedal for the entire song, I'll sit on a bar-stool. I think it depends on the kind of music you play. If you are doing non-dance, light background music (sonic wallpaper) it doesn't matter. If you are playing higher energy music, I think it's better if you stand. Of course that is only my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 Prefer to stand, esp if I have to sing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SiCkboy78 Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 This is an interesting one for me. I would prefer to stand. I think you can captivate the audience a bit more while standing. We typically play a four hour set with a music stand and song book, so sitting works much better for us. One thing we do is if one guy is singing the whole song the other will stand up and rock out a bit. Ultimately, I would like to stand the whole set and not use a music stand. But I cant see that happening for a while yet. For some reason I feel when Im sitting, Im being lazy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members richardmac Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 My rule: if it's a restaurant, gallery or private party where I'm more background, I sit. If it's a tavern or a concert where I'm more the focus, I stand. Yup, I think that's a good rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members John Bartus Posted January 28, 2012 Members Share Posted January 28, 2012 Standing. When I play guitar and sing, it helps me breathe better, I can move around, and I can hit my pedals so much better. That being said, I prefer to sit while singing and playing piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ptkbass Posted January 29, 2012 Members Share Posted January 29, 2012 I have been sitting for 3 or 4 years now. 17 days ago I got a new hip, and will soon get another to match. Maybe I'll stand for gigs once again in a few months??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members msmooth Posted January 29, 2012 Author Members Share Posted January 29, 2012 Got my guitar guy to put a strap button on the heel of the neck today. I spent 2-3 hours playing this afternoon/evening while standing and it worked out fine. I think I'll probably end up standing most of the time. Thanks for all of the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MDLMUSIC Posted January 29, 2012 Members Share Posted January 29, 2012 I prefer standing, but when I do the background music thing at a restaurant, I usually sit, since I'm not really supposed to draw attention to myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Steve Flash Posted January 29, 2012 Members Share Posted January 29, 2012 I tried to mostly stand with my duo. Solo, it was easier to opperate loopers/harmonizers form a seated position. It really depends on the gig. I am trying to stand and move around more and that is more of a challenge if pedals are used. Working on perfecting that. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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