Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

[Rant]
So Im watching a guitar player who I like,
Waddy Wachtel playing for Stevie Nicks on
PBS. Nice, laid back stuff, tasty lix, etc....
But what is driving me absolutely nuts is
where Waddy is holding the guitar....
Almost at his knees
During solos, he looks like hes a tortured Dickens
character picking a shilling up off the floor.
The guitar players version of the low pants/boxer
syndrome as seen on gangster kiddies ?
[Rant / off]

I've had people comment on how high I sling my guitar. Keeps it off my belt so I can clear my S&W if I need to. heckle this you son of a But for real with a lower guitar it puts my wrist at a really odd angle. Cannot be good for the ligaments / tendons.

I have CTS and playing the guitar low would kill me. Playing high(er) is far more comfortable and less irritating, and it really much easier to hit the chords properly.

I had noticed you carry your axe in the "ready to strike" position as well Kramer. I agree it positions the hand well, allowing me to keep my elbow down. Now if I can just stop flipping off the crowd when I fret a 6th root minor bar.

This is not really a boring rant. I'm always amazed by the way some guitar players and bass players hold their axes. Everyone has their own comfort level. I believe I hold my bass higher than most. Maybe the guy holding his ax so low should go visit a chirpractor. Later...

As a teacher, I'm a nazi about form. You can't expect to play for the rest of your life if you hang your guitar too low. It will cause CTS, & ulna nerve prob's as well.

Your body just isn't designed to look that cool.

I play with my axe way up, nearly to my chest, these days. My wrist stays straight, & my hand lasts longer, & is more accurate.

Do the right thing. Don't hang your axe too low. It makes you look like a monkey, anyway, with them long arms flailing about.