Pimientito -> RE: Is using a guitar-support "un-flamenco"? (Apr. 10 2008 14:24:50)
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Well over the years I have come to the conclusion that the best way to avoid these type of problems is to not play the guitar!! ...or if you do, make sure that you dont practice. Practically,its not an easy problem to solve partly because every person is different with varying amounts of suppleness in their limbs and back and everyone plays differently, some people with more strength than others. Its also not a new problem. Classical guitarists use (or used to use)a footstool to raise the left leg so the the guitar sits at a 45 degree angle on the left leg. Even Aguado had back problems because it raises the pelvis higher on the left side than on the right and puts an S-curve into the spine. Bear in mind that in Aguados day (1800s) guitars were smaller and so it really was necessary to raise it somehow. A guitar support or even a small cusion on the leg puts the guitar in the same position without putting a curve in your back. The traditional flamenco position with the guitar on the right leg pointing 45 degrees up is Ok ergonomically but this only really allows you to play strongly in the first few positions on the fingerboard. Pacos idea was to have the guitar horizontal which gives access to the higher frets without involving the left shoulder so much and more importantly, it means the right hand fingers can pull against the strings at 90 degrees evenly on all six strings. Thats the secret of the power of his tecnique. This can not be acheived with the guitar at a 45 degree angle. Unfortunately, its not great for your back and even Paco has complained of back problems from over practicing. Another thing is that guitarist tend to lean over the guitar and twist slightly toward the neck and this puts a lot of strain on the upper ribs on the opposite side (ie the right side of a right handed player) This can cause neck pain, headaches and also lead to tendonitis in the hands and forearms. Finally i would say that all you 20 something year olds are not going to notice these effects as someone in their 30s and 40s quote:
I find the guitar wants to fall down to the usual position that I use. (sitting flat on my right leg) Ok, well firstly the guitar need to be perpendicular and flat next to your body. There should be no gap between you and the guitar. The curve of the body fits hard up into the curve of your right hip. You have to sit up to aheive this. The right forearm rests on top of the guitar (not on the guitar top) and pushes the guitar slightly down and inwards towards your groin. This holds the guitar snug against you. You still have full movement of your wrist and hand. The guitar should not move anywhere like this. To acheive all this the first most useful thing I can suggest if you are serious about playing a lot is GO OUT AND BUY A DECENT CHAIR. This solves half of all practise problems. Sitting on the edge of a bed or a sofa etc. is asking for trouble. An adjustable office chair without arms or a high backed leather upholstered dining chair will be perfect. It should be high enough to allow you to sit with you knees slightly above 90 degrees (never below) and support your back. Get up and walk around every half hour during practice. Your physio was right Ailsa. Sitting puts a lot of strain on your low back and it can tighten up easily if you lose track of the time.Warm up with simple pieces and exercises for 10 minutes before tackling the difficult piece you were working on the day before. Stop playing if anything hurts. You will to learn the difference between a muscle ache which is normal and an overstretch or overuse pain which is not. Personally, I like the Paco way of holding the guitar because of its advantage to the right hand and I bought a 200 dollar ergonomic chair to practise in which has pretty much solved my back problem. Cusions, supports and stools have not been helpful. Even if they make the guitar more ergonomic...you sacrifice right hand power in my opinion.
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