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Miguel de Maria -> RE: RELAX ! (Nov. 13 2005 16:28:45)
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My take is that you need to listen to everyone and try everything. For a long time, I tried to play like Paco because I thought it looked cool (I still do), but it doesn't work too well for me. I switched to the classical position recently, and it seems to help me a lot. ONe thing I don't understand is how the footstool on the right leg would help someone with long arms? It seems to me that the classical position, with the guitar lower, would give you more space. After all, the guitar is further away from the shoulder in this position.
Also keep in mind that your arm can act as a class I or II lever while resting (at least that's what Iznaola said). If you rest the arm near the elbow, the hand will tend to fall toward the strings. If you rest it closer to the hand, then it will tend to fly up. In the latter position, you will need to expend more energy, some of that from the shoulder probably, to keep it in position.
In classical guitar circles, Aaron Shearer has preached that you should keep the wrists generally straight when playing. This is supposed to help avoid carpal tunnell syndrome. So it is trendy to do this right now, and it happens that I more or less play this way. But in the history of the guitar, probably 99% of the great players have played with a pretty bent wrist, so I don't think it should be considered more than one of many options.
I think you should let the sound guide you, because you are a musician after all, and then try to get your body to do this in as comfortable way as possible.
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