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Something wrong with me?

I was in a small slump you might say, for the last month or so. But lately I don't seem to want to stop playing!

I play with my guitar on my left leg when sitting (right handed) so after a few hrs, cuz of the ever so small of twist in my back I have to stretch and then stand an play for a bit. Thus the cycle goes...

I mean holy whatever batman.... the last two days alone I have 25 hrs of playing in....

My fingers have this cool lil burn to them.. LoL .. Kinda like after a good dead weight workout ... just that cool adrenaline burn ... 8)

Anybody else ever go on a playing rampage?

Comments

  • I remember one time in Vegas where I had played so much that the blood starteed squirting from the fingertips on my left hand. Ah....those were the days.
  • I don't know if you are aware of this, but the proper position to play while seated, RH--right leg. Then you will be able to play with no back stress. :)
  • \Manitou\ wrote:
    I don't know if you are aware of this, but the proper position to play while seated, RH--right leg. Then you will be able to play with no back stress. :)

    Um... you sure? :P

    For me I like it better on the left leg.. Besides when I stand up guitar is basically in the same position.. Like practicing standing up.. but sitting. :P And if I have sat there for 2 - 4 hrs, it's time for a break anyways!
  • I did and still practice at least 2 hours a day,
    that since 1992.
    I can pinch my fingertips with a needle without feeling a thing.
    sexy, ain’t it? ;)
  • Rawb,
    I apologize for saying \"proper\" way to hold an electric guitar while seated.
    What is proper is what works for you.

    The RH/left leg is considered the classical guitar method, because of the small body, short neck.

    If you play RH/left leg, you get that twist tension in your back. But it is a solid hold, and you have the neck angled higher.

    The RH/right leg, you will hold the neck down more level or even lower. But if you hold the neck low, you do tend then to hunch over, which will just be another posture problem.

    There are many techniques used to hold everything from the pick, hand position, and etc. which will promote better playing, and ease while playing. Different guitar body shapes, and people body shapes all vary. But you know, when you are relaxed, and your fingers and hands are relaxed, you will play better. I mean I always hear this opinion about playing while happy, relaxed and not stressing any parts, vs. how you shouldn't play while you are unhappy, stressed or in pain.

    Hard work will pay off. I guess if you want to be a virtuoso, well, those people will work very hard putting us all to shame. They practice 3-4 hours a day, for about 10 years. (over 14,000 hours) It's a progressive learning scale, and they do not goof around. Their time spent on 3 hours of playing is probably equivalent to 30 hours of my crap. :oops:

    You know they will perfect their techniques and not allow pain to get in their way. I'm still not past killing small birds with sour notes. But at least I'm comfortable with that. :P
  • edited November 2009
    No apologies needed mate... Actually if I remember correctly I switched to the left leg cuz it is eaasier for me to work down by the 12th fret an beyond.. And then found out if I stand the guitar is basically in same position... Been doing it that way for so long now ... when I do go right leg my whole fret board orientation is all wacked... I'm ruined, no going back now! LoL

    Note* I still use the right leg with a bass when sitting LOL :lol:
  • I use to play off my left leg like you, and felt that small twist pain. I don't remember when it dawned on me to switch to my right leg, but when I did, it made a world of difference.

    At one time I was spending allot of time focusing on technique. How to hold the pick, how to hold my fret hand and arm, how to sync my hands together, yada-yada...all that stuff. I guess it just hit me when I zero'd in on what Joe does. (and other guitarists I admire)

    When you see how they hold the guitar, and their level of virtuosity, you know it must be worth trying.

    check out Joe here>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J9VCa_C5BU
  • I usually practice standing up, since my playing is mainly at live gigs. However, this past year I bought myself a guitar stool/stand at MF for about $40.00 http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Farleys-Stage-Player-Guitar-Stand-Stool?sku=452031. When I get too tired at home, or just plain lazy, I like to rest on this stool and take \"a load off\" the feet. I still am able to play like I am standing up. The stool is high enough for me (I'm 5'9\") to sling the guitar down on my strap and play like I'm still standing. Not quite the same, but lots closer than if I am sitting on a chair and playing with the guitar on either knee. I like the stool as it gives me another option to playing guitar rather than just sitting down in a chair or standing. This is somewhere in between for me, but closer to standing as my guitar is still supported by my strap.

    Read the customer reviews on this stool and you will see that most people really like it. However, like others, I too have found that the stool is not built like a tank and that you cannot adjust the height. Neither of those issues have been a problem for me, but if you are a tall or heavy guy, I'd pass on this stool. I have a freind who has a really nice guitar stool, built like a tank, and you can adjust the height, but I think he paid around $200 dollars for his stool (and it does not have a stand built into it).

    I typically don't ever play until I feel pain anymore. I have done that in the past, and it just doesn't work for me. I used to play barre chords until my hands went numb and I felt that stinging almost all the time. I gave up those evil ways and now enjoy playing guitar much more without the pain. I might not put as much \"time\" into playing/practicing, but when I do play/practice I get more done and actually enjoy it.

    Also, everything I know about playing music in general, you are better off with shorter practice sessions everyday than trying to cram all your practice time into just one or two days.
  • Here is a site I saved for some good practice tips.
    One could work a pretty good thread on this subject.
    Anyway, let me pass this link on, >> http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/lessons/correct_practice/
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