Sitting vs. Standing

David Biagini · From: San Jose, CA, USA

I'm much more comfortable playing sitting down but I play much more creatively when I stand. How about the rest of you?

Ricky Davis · From: Bertram, Texas USA

It does put me in two different moods/modes between those techniques. I tend to attack the instrument more, when standing; but I do also tend to put more pressure on the bar when standing; and when I don't watch out> I get in trouble with intonation. I also use a Bigsby Vol/Tone pedal; and I find it more effective when standing than sitting.
I do play alot prettier hawaiian stuff; and intonation is better when sitting; but love to swing standing.

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Ricky Davis

My Homepage
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Email Ricky: sshawaiian@aol.com

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

To me, there are several advantages in standing. First, you can see the rest of the band and interact visually. If you are a foot tapper it can get a little hairy with a steel guitar bouncing on your lap. Standing enables me to keep my body centered over the bar, which prevents awkward body mechanics when playing high on the neck. I think operating a volume pedal from a standing position is easier too. For those so inclined, standing allows you to get into whole body movements. I've seen Aubrey Ghent do James Brown glides across the floor while playing his Fender 6.

Personally, I don't like any playing situation that keeps me nailed to one spot on a stage--like playing an acoustic instrument into a mic, for example. In my opinion, being able to play from a standing position is one of the advantages of non-pedal over pedal-steel.

[This message was edited by Bob Stone on 21 June 2001 at 05:51 AM.]

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

I think my intonation and accuracy is better while sitting, but its MUCH MORE FUN to play standing, I think. I gotta move around, especially when playing a funk tune, say like James Brown's Chicken or a Meters tune, something like that.

The other big advantage, to me anyway, is that it forces me to leave that dang volume pedal alone!

I still get too tempted to "ride" the vol pedal while sitting, and by being forced to stand on one foot, I tend to set the volume, and leave it alone until my break. Then I bump it up a notch, play my break, move it back down, and stand on both feet again. Definitely helps cure that "swell foot" disease!

Thanks - interesting thread.

TJW

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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E13, C6) through a vintage Super Reverb

Peter Jacobs · From: Northern Virginia

I agree that sitting helps with intonation and dynamics -- I tend to play more gently when I'm sitting. But, in my band situation, it's a lot more fun (and more appropriate) to stand. When we're playing an uptempo blues or rock number, we're looking for less subtlety and more raucousness, anyway.

BTW -- I was using a keyboard stand, but recently started using a Melobar Outrigger. It's taking some getting used to, but it's great to be able to step away from the mike when I'm not singing.

Rick Aiello · From: Berryville, VA USA

I ALWAYS SIT but I have my steel on a "frypan" stand NEVER in my lap (I do hate the term lap steel). I find it the best of both worlds. The volume pedal work is freed up by not having the weight of the steel in my lap. The tone of the guitar is better - having it on the lap robs some of the resonance(in my opinion). I am free to make slight positional changes like standing players do. My vibrato is unhampered because the steel is firmly "locked" in my favorite slightly angled position.

Most will say - just stand up and you get all of the above mentioned benefits - all except one - I LIKE TO SIT - I'M LAZY.

Steve Honum · From: Oregon, USA

Standing if performing with a band, particularly if the audience is dancing. It helps you get into the groove and communicates a bit more enthusiasm. I've always thought this has been a problem for pedal steel players. I also play a tele so I can leave it strapped on and do a break or even a whole song on my Fender deluxe S8 with its legs extended. For practicing at home I sit. Having the telescoping legs is one of the big advantages of Fenders, besides the great tone and vintage look (still want to get a Ricky bakelite one day though).
Haere mai,
Steve H.

Al Terhune · From: Newcastle, WA

I usually play sitting -- although I still use legs -- because it's just more stable. I'd really rather stand, because I'm bothered by the "lack of enthusiasm" that sitting portrays on stage...but I haven't practiced enough standing to get used to the movement of a steel perched higher on legs...and I've gotten used to practicing with my lazy rear end on a chair. And no volume pedal for me.

Adam · From: Seattle,WA

I always play steel standing up.People can see me better and vice-versa.Although since I've been using a keyboard stand lately,I have been accused of being a keyboard player several times.Oh well,as long as they don't think I'm a b***o player I guess I should be o.k.

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

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