How to Play Guitar Standing Up

You know you’ve nailed something on the guitar when you can play it just as easily standing up as you can sitting down.

Learning how to play guitar standing up not only gives you the buzz of showmanship it reinforces the techniques you’ve learned while sitting down, which improves your flexibility as a guitarist.

What gives the best results?

Many people who learn how to play the guitar begin practicing their chords while sitting down. It’s a natural and comfortable position when you are trying to concentrate. If you have an acoustic in your hands it’s customary to sit and strum, sitting down to practice with an acoustic is almost expected. You should practice standing because you already know how to sit and practice, see how it feels and determine which one is best for you.

Although sitting does allow you to concentrate more on your playing and less on your body movement you might find that standing gives you a chance to be more mobile. The best results come from practicing period. If you’re more comfortable sitting then try standing. It will help your posture and force you to concentrate on your chords without looking at them. Sitting down while practicing requires the same amount of discipline while standing up, your arms are just stretched out more, your position has changed, and that’s all.

Electric guitars are generally more heavy or weighted than an acoustic, some are light depending on the brand but solid wood gives it a heavier base. Sitting down to practice with an electric allows you better hand movement if you’re playing a certain style. It also allows you to hone your craft and really work out the kinks and make practicing fun. You can probably practice with an electric better while sitting down.

What are some techniques to make standing up easier?

First you have to remember posture. Your grade school teacher and your parents all telling you to “sit up straight” wasn’t just a request, it’s a necessity. If you slouch while sitting you might do the same standing up. Good posture is what allows you to stand while playing guitar. To begin learning this important feat you’ll need to practice more standing than sitting. You already know how to sit while practicing playing your guitar, practice standing. Hold your guitar in hand and walk around with it strapped to you, your body will get used to having something hand on your shoulder.

Make sure your strap sits on your shoulder and not on the end of your shoulder. This will cause the guitar strap to dig into you and you’ll be uncomfortable. Most electric guitars have a cut-away section in the middle, if your axe does then fit that part right up against your body under your ribs. Stand up straight and don’t slump your shoulders, arch your back and stick your chest out, this allows your electric guitar to be centered at your core. If you have an acoustic you’ll have to get used to the bulkiness, its not as heavy as an electric but it still requires you to teach your body how to stand. A good rule of practice is to stand with your back against the wall you’ll have a better understanding of how straight you need to stand. Since this will be something new for your body to adjust to make sure to keep a stool near by so you don’t wear yourself out. It takes time to get used to standing while playing.