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Topic: Playing while standing - height ? |
Craig Stenseth
From:
Naperville, Illinois, USA
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Posted 28 Nov 2005 7:10 pm |
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| What is a good rule of thumb for how high the (lap) steel should be, if I'm playing (okay, trying to play) standing up? I vaguely remember something, from piano lessons that didn't take, about the wrists having to be at a certain angle. |
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George Rout
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 28 Nov 2005 7:18 pm
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| Hello Craig, I think the most positive answer is "whatever is the most comfortble for you", but that doesn't mean just the wrists. If it's perlonged playing, your back might be sore before your wrists give out. There's also a thought about tilting the guitar down away from you. It's not unlike riding a bike with the handlebar up to high or tilted too high. It's all a matter of comfort. Geo |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 28 Nov 2005 10:11 pm
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The day finally came when I realized it was just too difficult and uncomfortable to stand, especially when using a foot volume pedal. I found a neat (high) stool which collapses totally flat. It is just the right height to make it appear I am standing when in fact I'm not.  |
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Dan Sawyer
From:
Studio City, California, USA
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Posted 29 Nov 2005 3:07 pm
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| I like to play standing up too, but the volume pedal is something i usually leave in the gig bag. Try to keep your wrists straight. |
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 29 Nov 2005 3:21 pm
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| Interesting topic, as I play both my tele and my console and like to stand as well. I set mine up where it is a little lower than where my forearms are parallel at the first neck. The back neck allows me to have my forearms parallel and it leaves my bar and Ebow at a spot where I can easily pick em up and start playing. I also use a stand that is made of a metal sawhorse I got at Lowe's, with a plank of pine on top for the table. Works great!!! [This message was edited by Keith Cordell on 29 November 2005 at 03:22 PM.] |
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Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 29 Nov 2005 4:06 pm
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Craig, I always play non-pedal standing and without a volume pedal. The guitar at exactly belt buckle height is perfect for me __ probably higher than most players like.
I play a Fender Dual Eight Professional with Stringmaster leg sockets. This combination creates a wider stance at the floor. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 30 Nov 2005 3:01 pm
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| I have an Excel D8, which I set at the height to match the position of my hands/arms as when I sit to play, so as not to have to transition from one level to another. |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 30 Nov 2005 3:47 pm
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I guess I like mine above belt-buckle height - I'm playing my Melobar six-string with a Melobar "Outrigger". Essentially, it's the back half of the Melobro with a Styrofoam instert. The fiberglass shell is held onto the steel with a couple of large thumbscrews. I would suggest doing this with your '39 Rick, but it does the job.
I've been thinking of switching to a stand, so I can use other steels (uh-oh... GAS!). But it sure is nice to be able to move around.
[This message was edited by Peter Jacobs on 30 November 2005 at 05:39 PM.] [This message was edited by Peter Jacobs on 30 November 2005 at 05:42 PM.] [This message was edited by Peter Jacobs on 30 November 2005 at 05:43 PM.] [This message was edited by Peter Jacobs on 30 November 2005 at 05:47 PM.] |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 1 Dec 2005 6:35 am
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Ricky, those are some great tips. Wish I would have read that 30 years ago!
I prefer to play standing up, and adjusting the height to belt level gives me a comfortable wrist position.
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