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Playing with folded knees a lot seems to be taking a toll. My knees feel weaker and heavier as if they are jammed all the time. I used to play with my right leg lifted but when that caused right knee stiffness I switched to crossed legs. This one screwed even the left knees. Time to visit an orthopaedic. I'm hoping I don't develop arthritis in the future.
Ricardo once mentioned switching up playing positions even during one practice session. I found it helped some but now I play feet flat old school style with the lower bought on my right thigh and the headstock up. Really good lower back support aka pillow, and a low chair that I cut about 2.5” from the legs and 1/2” lower on the back legs.
Playing the old style all the knee and hip issues are gone completely. Took a bit to get my left arm muscles up to speed but can’t say I’ve noticed it after a month or so at first and it’s been a couple years now.
Finding that perfect chair is key also and most likly for whatever play position you prefer.
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
Yes people thought that "old school" sitting position was because old guitar players were more traditional, but honestly, the next gen started adopting it due to age and the physical issues.
Even still I still advocate moving around in your seat as much as possible. I have no doubt I have saved my career and out of shape body from being in worse condition today by doing MOST gigs wearing a strap and playing standing up. It has become a point of contention on one tablao gig locally, where there is limited space so I sometimes get away with playing standing while accompanying dancers and singers, however, at times a more traditional guest artist (or in fact I am the guest artist) is sitting with his guitar, it looks aesthetically bad if I am standing in the cuadrao, so I have to suck it up and play seated.
Luckily there is another local flamenco guitarist who understands the benefits of standing and when we play gigs, even if traditional flamenco, we both get away with playing standing. The only flamenco guitarist in Spain I know that plays standing is Cañito (featured on Nueva Escuela long time ago). For theatre shows I have been doing the traditional thing.
Watch from 1:42. I am sure he has gotten criticism for this but I totally respect the reason behind him doing this.
I know the traditional posture is better but my guitar keeps slippin' and my grip over left hand also gets poor. I've been interested by playing standing up and I think as Ricardo said, it's actually the superior position of all. First saw Ben playing like that. However my guitar doesn't have that strap screw. Maybe I will install one in the future.
I still advocate moving around in your seat as much as possible.
I agree, movement is key.
I use a Sagework Guitar Support now and I love it. Both legs symmetrical, and I naturally play nearer the bridge instead of near or over the soundhole. Playing with crossed legs or on a foot stool feels so weird to me now.
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The early bird catches the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese.
I dont know why people have a problem with the sitting position. Paco's crossed leg position is outdated. Nowadays tocaors sit with their right leg raised like Tomatito or Benito or like Diego del Morao if you have a flamenco chair. Anyhow the knee is the least problem. I read most guys have lower back pain if they sit with a bad posture.
I read most guys have lower back pain if they sit with a bad posture.
The issue eventually becomes not about THE posture but the fact you have sat in one and only one position for a LONG time. It doesn't matter whether that position was "healthy" or "ergonomic", it is simply that staying put for hours is bad for your body. Using a mic on stage is also a problem because if you move a tiny bit, it changes the sound. When people are young none of this matters but over the years it takes a toll. It is not that the cross leg is "old fashioned", it is that the PEOPLE have gotten older and don't feel comfortable anymore. I was lucky I addressed this thing like in my 30s and started experimenting. I have no doubt the flamenco guitar masters "dying young" due to heart failure is directly related to the hours and years sitting with that guitar.
The stool posture is what I used earlier. I don't know about those guys but sitting with my righteg raised for hours screwed by right knee. I couldn't properly fold or open my knees and there used to be a cracking sound everytime I opened my right knee. That's why I switched to crossed legs.
The stool posture is what I used earlier. I don't know about those guys but sitting with my righteg raised for hours screwed by right knee. I couldn't properly fold or open my knees and there used to be a cracking sound everytime I opened my right knee. That's why I switched to crossed legs.
so it's not possible to use the traditional approach without this stand?
It is, but I think this one is the best because you can use it across your lap. I've not found any other sitting position more comfortable. Using it across your lap means the guitar literally stands up on its own (in the traditional position), so you don't even have to have your hands / arms (left or right) on it, and it won't fall.
I'm not a fan of this kind of stuff. It makes you sit in the same position which is still bad. I believe one should avoid sitting in one position for long.
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