Guitar Ergonomics

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Guitar Ergonomics

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konradk

Posts: 4
Joined: Jan. 15 2010

Guitar Ergonomics

Does anyone know of a Luthier that takes into account the following considerations of the Guitar Player when when designing/building a guitar ...

Body type .. thin, medium, heavy
Shoulder width .. narrow, average, broad
Arms .. long, medium short
Hand width .. narrow, average, broad
Finger length .. short, average, long

I'm sure there may also be other things I've forgotten

But I believe that if you are going to get a custom made guitar
and spend $$$$$$$ it might as well be designed/built for you
since if you buy a "standard" guitar
and happen to be a midget or a giant
you will surely injure yourself trying to rip rasgueos

You'll end up having to see therapists and doctors
if you insist on playing an instrument
that does not match your body type ...

But then again, perhaps chronic pain is necessary
to evoke duende and explete a perfect jaleo .. :)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2010 3:28:53

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to konradk)

The things you can change without loosing control over sound and feel are scale, nut and stringspacing at the bridge.
Just some millimeters change in body size makes a different guitar. Some builders may use 2 different body sizes. I dont, because I find it to be enough to control one size and because I fel that its the right size.
The flamenco guitar is a very higly specialized and fine tuned instrument and if you are not very small or very big, you should be able to find a comfortable sitting position.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2010 8:37:17

estebanana

Posts: 9358
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to konradk)

You can't put much on the luthier, we can change the body size and scale. It's the players job to learn to play with optimum relaxation and learn his or her own body to prevent injury.

Chuscales said "The guitar is a torture device from Mars." I think he meant a combination of physical uncomfortableness and the ability of the guitar to frustrate. It's important to take responsibility for playing in a way that suits your body.

Things you can do are stretching; learn some light yoga that is focused on reverse stretching the muscles and nerves you tense up while playing.

Stopping during your practice to breath and stretch and loosen up.

Don't sit in a vegetative state mindlessly grinding away at your playing. Keep your mind bright and stay focused for short periods of time and then change your posture.

Drink water while you practice. Muscle dehydration causes stresses which lead to pulled muscles.

Back right off when you feel fatigue or like you've worked your hands or elbow, whatever in a way it's not ready for.

Eat correctly and don't swim and practice guitar until you wait an hour to go back into the flamenco pool.

How you like them apples?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2010 13:52:19

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to konradk)

it's better to adapt than to be picky. otherwise, you end up like this guy.

in case you don't understand what is going on, he's got two non-slip pads, two footstools, a cello stick thing that probably extends into his arse, his guitar is resting on a resonance box, sitting on top of yet another resonance box.

i recommend this position for pregnant woman, not guitarists.

thanks for the tip about water, stephen. it's such common sense, but totally important and easily overlooked.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2010 14:15:41

estebanana

Posts: 9358
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to konradk)

Do you think he needs a midwife to help him play that way?

Seriously, have you ever seen Paul Galbraith play in person? He is a fantastic musician. That guitar he is playing is an 8 string made by David Rubio.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2010 15:23:35

at_leo_87

Posts: 3055
Joined: Aug. 30 2008
From: Boston, MA, U.S.A

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

Seriously, have you ever seen Paul Galbraith play in person? He is a fantastic musician. That guitar he is playing is an 8 string made by David Rubio.

i've heard recordings of him. he is indeed a great musician, so no offense to him, just his weird sitting position. i wonder what you lutheirs think of his resonance box?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 26 2010 15:29:11

HemeolaMan

Posts: 1514
Joined: Jul. 13 2007
From: Chicago

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to konradk)

well...props for getting the most ergonomical position.

I think you'll find that neck profile is one of the single deal breaking factors in a guitar.

Anders talks about pulsation, which I have only recently come to understand, but I think that in 13 years of playing guitar, one of the make or break factors has also been the neck.

Too skinny= hand cramps. I have rather long slender fingers and need something substantial to grip

too fat and it feels like driving a boat.

That said, pulsation is also the one big thing i look for even in electric guitars. too floppy and loose and i have no use!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2010 4:30:43

Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

Seriously, have you ever seen Paul Galbraith play in person?

Yes, a few months ago, it was horrible (I left at half-time). Must have been an off night.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2010 6:46:27

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to konradk)

quote:

That said, pulsation is also the one big thing i look for even in electric guitars. too floppy and loose and i have no use!

Exactly. It has to kick back when you spank it. But not knock you down. Flamenco guitars are the same.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2010 9:19:00

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to at_leo_87)

quote:

a cello stick thing that probably extends into his arse,

The folk on this Forum totally crack me up...

The wit over the last couple of days has been worthy of The Nobel Prize for Humour IMO..

cheers,

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2010 10:22:31

Estevan

Posts: 1936
Joined: Dec. 20 2006
From: Torontolucía

RE: Guitar Ergonomics (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

It has to kick back when you spank it. But not knock you down.

Excuse me, Anders...but doesn't this belong in Florian's "kinky German orgy" thread...?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 27 2010 11:10:38