What are the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of supporting the classical guitar?

Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of supporting a classical guitar? I know of three methods, each of which has some variation:

1. A footrest
2. A stand or cushion that rests on the left leg and supports the guitar
3. A strap

I recently bought a footrest, since I'm trying to add classical guitar techniques to my repertoire, but I found that it causes back pain by forcing my spine into an awkward position. I'm intrigued by some of the stands available, but they cost more money than I want to shell out without knowing if they're actually a good investment.

My preferred option is to use a strap connected at the top to the neck where it joins the body (I have a conventional strap, not one that connects to the sound hole). I've found that I can quite easily hold the guitar in a classical, neck-high position with a strap. Yet I haven't seen any good classical guitarists use a strap.

What are the pros and cons of choosing one method over another? And are there any other viable options I haven't considered?

Answer 1

You should look into braces that attach to the lower side of the guitar to prop it up on your thigh when you are sitting with both feet flat on the floor. Here is a list of many models of guitar supports by several manufacturers, at StringsByMail.com. All of these models do not permanently attach to the guitar, although some have special instructions to avoid marring the finish on the guitar depending on whether it is finished in French polish, nitrocellulose, or polyethylene or polyurethane finishes. I think this kind of support is a good option because many of the various models are not too expensive, and are easy to try out since no modifications needs to be made to the guitar itself.

My best advice is to find a chair whose height is just right for making your lap surface parallel to the floor. No higher and no lower. This is a neutral position with the least amount of stress on your body. Read about the Alexander Technique (I'll leave it for you to look up the reference) regarding proper posture for musicians and singers.

Classical guitar luthier Kenny Hill, responsible for implementing a lot of innovative ideas, has a new classical guitar, the Stand Up Model, whose body dimensions and back angle are designed for playing standing with a strap.

Click on this link to read his blog post essay about why he thinks playing classical guitar standing, with a strap, has many advantages over the traditional seated position. Quite an unconventional idea for traditional classical guitar.

Answer 2

I've using a support since a few years, and I love it, I'm totally adict now. Confortable, healthy and inexpensive. I'm an amateur player (as you can see) but I know of more profesional guitarists that use it and recommend this kind of support.

Answer 3

For me I tend to use my leg without anything else, some people even cross their legs and thus give a higher stand for the guitar.

I really like the footrest, and it's good if you play sitting down, many footrests allow you to change the height. I can't see any disadvantage with that one.

The cushion is all right, but as I said above, crossing your legs could do the same thing (in my case I can't really keep my legs crossed for long periods of time, so this could be a nice alternative).

The strap I would only use if the guitar was prepared for it, I mean, placing it at the neck might be OK, but at the sound hole I suppose it may damage the guitar. This method also only seems adequate for playing standing up, not sitting down.

When I play standing, I place my left foot on a stool like if it was a stand, that's very practical, since it elevates my left leg and I stand the guitar there. Sometimes I use the right leg, it gives me a non-natural position, but in some cases I really like the playing position.

Concluding, my favourite is the footrest, as it is (for me) the most practical and customizable of all the methods.

Answer 4

I definitely use a guitar foot rest. My teacher recommended this one to me and it is awesome and has helped with my technique and lower back pain. I love it and it looks super cool. Check it out if you decide to get one!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/245301966/the-ultimate-guitarists-foot-stool-solid?ref=shop_home_active_1

Answer 5

A footrest

The simplest. Some guitarists like the fact their leg is in direct contact with the instrument. The body position is asymmetric, and it's still easy to bend sideways, which can cause back pains or damage.

A stand or cushion that rests on the left leg and supports the guitar

Probably the best way to play guitar in natural leg and spine position.

Both with footrest and support you need to adjust it so that the instrument is at proper height, otherwise you will still bend sideways. Shape of the specific device you use, as well as height of the chair matter. Some guitarists use both footrest and stand.

A strap

Rare for a classical guitar, often custom made. A strap typically gives less stability to the instrument which may affect your playing, unless it fixes it to your torso somehow (note electric guitarists sometimes lean the guitar on their leg for better stability on more challenging solos). Also, depending on the weight of the guitar, it may cause back pains, but ability to walk when playing might help with overall body stress. Strap possibly allows you for easier contact with the audience. Also standing position is better for singing.

And are there any other viable options I haven't considered?

A stand standing on the ground, so that the instrument is fixed in air, and you don't need support it with your muscles. Like in this video:

If well adjusted, probably very healthy for the spine, maybe less for the legs, as you keep standing in the same position. Probably only available custom made (and custom design).