Being a beginner guitarist is hard! I’m only a couple years in, so there’s still a lot I’m learning, and the memories from my early days are fresh.
Like the majority of guitarists, I practiced sitting down, with my computer or printouts in front of me, often hunching over to see the fretboard and my hands, and getting comfortable. The second I stood up to prepare for the rookie band I was creating, it was really weird and uncomfortable. But with some changes and regular practice, it became second nature.
So if you’ve tried a few times and feel it’s impossible, don’t fear! There is hope! Sometimes, the solution is simple, though there may be issues with your guitar that is making it harder for you. Let’s look at some tips below!
1. Adjust Your Strap
I know, I know, hanging your guitar down low just looks so cool, but for now, start off high! One great tip I heard is to adjust your strap while you are sitting so the guitar is around the same spot when you stand.
Know that regardless of how close you get, it’s still going to be a bit uncomfortable because you no longer have your legs providing support. Your shoulders, arms, and wrists will have to do a bit more work to keep the guitar in place so you can play. Don’t make it harder on them by making the guitar harder to reach.
2. Work On Your Posture
While you may be comfortable hunching when sitting, especially as you look at the fret, the strings, and your fingers, that’s just…not going to work when you stand. There will be much more distance between your guitar and face and the guitar will be facing forward. You’ll have to get used to seeing the guitar from a top angle.
In the beginning stages, I would highly recommend fully learning a few songs before attempting to stand up and play it. You will still have to adjust your playing style a bit to fit this new playing position, but you can focus more on how it feels and your view from this angle. After you can get through a few songs comfortable while standing up, it’ll only become more second nature.
3. See How Your Guitar Is Set Up
Every guitar is a little different and this allows a lot of variety for people. What may be a perfect fit for someone else may not be the perfect fit for you. Electric guitars will have both ends of the strap on the body, but acoustic guitars will have one end on the headstock. This can certainly affect the way you hold your guitar and play.
Most guitars have a heavy body and a light headstock which causes the guitar to naturally tilt upwards when it’s hanging on you. But there are guitars that have what we call “Neck Dive” where the neck will tilt down and this can make it super uncomfortable for your wrists. If this is your guitar, definitely look at some solutions below.
If you have smaller hands, than a neck that is too thick may be an issue. If the body is too big like acoustic guitars, there will be a lot of distance making it harder to strum. Definitely consider these things. Sometimes, a setup could help, but if the build is just too uncomfortable, another guitar may be a better option for you.
4. For The Girls Out There…
One issue I have as a bigger chested girl that isn’t really addressed is…yes, they do get in the way. I think I wanted to put my guitar higher, but it would be quite uncomfortable. And even in other positions, one may be kinda hanging over the curve of the guitar. Now, I did find a good spot, but just know it will be an issue, and because all boobs are different, I can’t really say what’s best, but you will figure it out. I believe in you!
5. Practice Different Things & Keep At It
The first few times won’t be easy. But neither was picking up guitar, was it? This is just another one of those hurdles that you will need to work on and keep at if you really want to get good at it. As long as you can fret properly and strum comfortably, your guitar strap height and guitar weight isn’t much of the issue, it’s just practice.
Practice your songs sitting, and when you feel you can play through them without thinking much, then try it standing. As standing becomes more comfortable, you can then start practicing while you play and just standing more often. Afterwards, practice with your guitar in different areas, or resting your hand in a different space.
Conclusion
If you’re a guitarist who plans to record or perform, learning to play while standing up is definitely a must. Don’t expect to be able to do so right away, and don’t give up just cause it’s a little difficult or uncomfortable in the beginning doesn’t mean it will always be. It’s like driving a car. It’s very unnatural, but with time, it’s almost second nature. For a few more tips, definitely check out the Justin Guitar video below.
And if you’re a beginner, definitely check out my blog for other beginner tips and advice, along with encouraging articles. As someone who’s only a couple years in, I know it’s an uphill battle and you’ll have your doubts and feel discouraged, but I’ve written a lot of detailed, beginner friendly articles to help you with various aspects of your journey <3