What is the proper seated position?

Chuck Blake · From: West Virginia, USA

I noticed from some of the various members picture's of them sitting behind their guitars, they sit closer than I do or can. What is the correct relationship between the body and the guitar?

My legs don't fit well between my knee levers. Where should the levers be in relationship to the knee or thigh?

This may sound a little crazy but I think I sit to far away from my steel. Should I be looking vertically down on my fret board?

I play a GFI SD10 and it appears there is little tolerance for adjusting the area between each pair of levers.

It seems I have to much time on my hands or I just worry excessively Very Happy

.

Thanks
Chuck

Georg Sørtun · From: Mandal, Agder, Norway

The correct relationship between player and steel, is the one that is most comfortable for the player - playing. The steel, with pedals and levers, can always be modified.

I have, among others, a GFI SD10 keyless, and have moved the right levers left about 2 inches to get it right. 2 screws and readjustment of bellcrank to pull-/push-rod for each - no big deal.

I prefer to sit high and close behind the GFI, partly because the GFI pad is a bit high for my taste but also to get the right angle to comfortably push LKV lever along with pedals and LKL/LKR lever.

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

Comfort and efficiency in movement. Be consistent in where sit so that you can recognize the parallax effect when looking at the lower frets.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

With my Jackson BlackJack Custom, I sit a little closer to the steel so I can get my bar on the strings, and the pad is very comfortable, so I don't have to reach out too far while usin' the bar. Sittin' closer to the steel also helps me work with my A & B pedals.

Brett

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

I was told the first rule of thumb is to make sure the 15th fret is on your navel (don't lay on the guitar to accomplish this Smile

) and then you will have better wrist position above the 10th fret. At that point you can know where the knee levers need to be for your left side. This makes the E-raise work for me by letting be grab it with a comfortable part of my knee as well. I also sit slightly closer to the guitar with my right than the left. Just a few degrees angled, but it feels way better for my A-B pedal work and such. Really ther is no right or wrong, just adaptation for your oun comfort.
_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Chuck Blake · From: West Virginia, USA

Thanks for the comments. I guess what I'd like to be able to do is not have to reach for the fret board. I feel I can't see the strings and their seperation clearly. Rolling Eyes

Sometimes I get confused on which strings I am picking on because they run togeather in my sight line if I'm not directly over the fret board. Shocked

When I pull up close to the guitar my levers end up being at my thighs as opposed at my knees.

Oh well, I'll keep experimenting! .....And I thought trying to play the banjo hanging on my right shoulder as opposed to across my neck and shoulder was difficult.

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

Over a short period of time you will notice that you don't need to actually see the strings you're playing as much. You will develop a setpoint , or rest position for your thumb and fingers. So, movement, or feel of the neck will be kind of automatic. It's normal to work through all the physical burdens of playing this crazy instrument, cause it ain't natural! Laughing

_________________
RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Benjamin Jayne · From: Orange County California, USA

Something I have found helps as a new player is sitting at the edge of my seat (and moving the actual seat a bit farther away than you may expect)-This helps keep my back erect and my elbows up so my forearms are at about a 90 degree angle from the fretboard. It also keeps me engaged in my playing and makes blocking and vibrato easier and more natural, but I did need to work up the endurance since I tend to slouch a lot, such as when I'm on the computer.

When I play, I'm definitely not so close that my head is hovering over the fretboard. In fact, I'd say my chin is at least 6in from my wrists, if not more.

As for the knees, it's really dependent on your height. You may need to raise your guitar's legs a tad (either just at the front or front and back) to achieve the most comfortable and efficient height and angle, but be sure to get everything else right first before you go adjusting the height of the guitar. Sitting toward the edge of your seat with your navel in line with the 15th fret and with an erect spine may be all you need to do.
_________________
Lamar S-10, Goodrich L10K VP, Carvin Vintage 16 all-tube amp, John Pearse Cryogenic steel tone bar, John Pearse strings.

Mike Schwartzman · From: Maryland, USA

I did what Benjamin described above, but in the opposite order, which yielded the same result.
I adjusted the height of the guitar first... making sure while sitting with my spine straight as possible that my right arm was 90 degrees to the fretboard. This was done with picks on and the right hand in playing position.

It took more than one height adjustment because it took time to get my right hand into my teacher's suggested playing position. Well worth the time.

From that point I had a sitting reference to adjust all the levers (any pedal adjustments too) to that position. Works pretty well for me and it was not an overnight process. Hang in there...it'll get more comfortable.
_________________
Emmons Push Pull, BMI, Session 400, Home of the Slimcaster Tele.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

As described in several of the posts contained herein, player comfort combined with easy access is crucial to playing well.

Some pedal players have been seen to sit smack dab right in the middle of the guitar using both feet on the pedal bar.

In contrast, Bud Issacs sits somewhat squirreled around sidewise, with his legs across the underneath side of his guitar so as to reach pedals A & B.

Same variable with the volume pedal. Some use it
underneath the guitar where Emmons and Sho=Bud created a nice little holder mechanism.......while the long legged fellers used to use it outside of the guiar frame. JERRY BYRD used to use his LEFT
FOOT to operate his while a majority use the right.

SIGHT is extremely important!..... All else is in second place. I too, sit at a slight angle when playing my Emmons and Bigsby, closer on the right side than the left, sorta like having a lap steel on your LAP. If it works for you, do it!

Chuck Blake · From: West Virginia, USA

Thanks all for posting. I've taken all of your advice and using it to develop the best fit for me as suggested.

Chuck
61yo nube

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: