left or right

[Gasket]

Knee that is, left or right?
As stated in my introduction, I'm an old bloke and a new student. I use the student rather than player description carefully, if you sat with me when practicing you'd know why. I've been resting guitar body on left knee and left foot elevated on a low block giving better view of left hand as required, I think this is classic guitar style (left knee, not the looking at left hand). Problem is I've had both shoulders rebuilt after a lifetime of accumulated motorcycle crashes and after a short time practicing my left shoulder aches. I'm trying to change over to right knee, this is easier on the shoulder but I find my guitar neck seems to move about, whereas the instrument is secure when on left knee. I suspect persistence on left or right will resolve the issue but not being a natural player makes me want the best external forces working. Positive comments most welcomed.   

[donlyn]

at least it wasn't politics.

right knee, guitar neck angled away from body.  sometimes guitar neck moves and sometimes i move it.  if it feels good, go with it, especially if the alternative is painful.  also an 'old bloke'; been playing off and on since the sixties.

[Earl]

You could always split the difference and use a strap.  That is what I do, even when seated.  With the buttons on our guitars where Taylor places them, the strap attaches to either end of the body.  The guitar hangs centered on the torso, rather than skewed to one side or another.  (I see that as the biggest disadvantage to tying a strap to the headstock.  The guitar then hangs almost as if it were sitting on the right leg).

[Gasket]

Thanks for comments.

donlyn, your "if it feels good, go with it" comment is what I'm getting from my teacher and a couple of friends. I was sort of hoping for a reason to drive myself one way or the other.

Earl, I do use a strap and always sit, I just played about with your split the difference comment. With the guitar resting on and between BOTH legs it's more planted and my left shoulder felt OK. Think I'll try that for a couple of days, thanks again.   

[Cindy]

Gasket, physical comfort is going to dictate what will work best. I have issues with both shoulders, but my right shoulder suffers the most. I found a dred is just too deep to hold comfortably which is why I prefer the x14 series. If your guitar feels better when on your right leg, then keep working with it that way and don't switch back to the left. It will take a little time for it to feel natural, but once it does, you should be able to control the neck so it doesn't wobble or sway so much.

[Gasket]

Thanks Cindy, between forum comments and what others are saying I think I've had it on my left knee for the last time.
My teacher keeps saying there isn't anything natural about playing a guitar so to move to less natural knee and stop pain in the shoulder will be my way forward.

[donlyn]

by the way, gasket, what guitar(s) are you playing? it can make a big difference.

don

[Cindy]

Thanks Cindy, between forum comments and what others are saying I think I've had it on my left knee for the last time.
My teacher keeps saying there isn't anything natural about playing a guitar so to move to less natural knee and stop pain in the shoulder will be my way forward.

You are welcome, Gasket. Just don't overdue it. Perhaps start with smaller increments of time and increase slowly. It's going to feel unnatural at first, but as long as you aren't experiencing discomfort, that's good. If you find your shoulder hurts at 20 minutes, keep your sessions to 15 minutes for a while. Let those muscles and tendons adapt to the new position.

[Gasket]

Don, I certainly notice greater or less discomfort with the various guitars my wife and I have at hand.
I tinker with my wife's Taylor 618e and love the tone. I usually practice with a LAG T66ACE, but when I figure I've done enough to satisfy my teachers program I grab a Strat for fun, small and so easy to play.

Cindy, I'm on-top of the multiple shorter practice times, retired and all day to please myself  . Actually I suspect one of my problems is that I don't push into the pain to build resistance.

[donlyn]

gasket, thanks to you i have learned what an occitan cross is.  also the derivation of the word.

[Gasket]

Don, how have you survived for so long without having a good working knowledge of the occitan cross? 

[donlyn]

don't parlez vous francais either.   

oc?

actually i thought it was a maltese cross at first.

[donlyn]

just realized how obscure this digression is getting.  i was curious about gasket's practice guitar.

http://usa.lagguitars.com/tramontane/66/auditorium-cutaway-electro-cutaway-acoustic/electric-natural-p107125/

notice cross design in part of soundhole decoration.  lag headquarters is in southern france, where "langue d'oc" is spoken.  loosely refers to romance languages where "oc" means "yes".  this occitan cross is a symbol for this area.

[Gasket]

My wife and I have one each.
Hers is a T66DCE = Dreadnought
Mine is T66ACE = Auditorium
Both entry level LAG's, but fantastic value for money. The other day I sat with both and my wife's Taylor 618e, sure the Taylor was noticeably cleared but LAG's are great value for $ when you want a practice tool or something to take away on holiday etc.
Go try one, I received no money to make that recommendation  .