Well here's a funny thing...

[MinorKey]

Well here's a weird thing...
For years I've been playing with the bottom curve of the guitar on my left knee, never thought anything of it. And today it dawned on me. The guy in the video I'm watching has it sat on his RIGHT knee. But subconsciously, when you watch a video or look at an image of a guitarist your mind sees the guitar on the left side.
So anyway I switched it on to the right leg, and the chords were easier to reach! Can't believe I'd been doing it wrong all these years, lol. Must be because I can only see through my right eye. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

[PeterM]

Actually, you have been doing it correctly if you were a classical player.

I use my left leg with smaller guitats. Easier to keep the neck up for easier chording (and less wrist pain)

[warfrat73]

Yeah. You were doing it "right," the rest of us pretty much do it wrong.

[MinorKey]

Well I'm not a classical player. At one point I was going that way but nah, its not for me. Folk/blues/rock is more my thing. And with a footrest under my right leg its much more comfortable

[why2]

I've entered the senior years and it's easier play in the classical style, fretboard / neck raised, left foot on a riser and beard closer to the sixth fret. I can get around the barr chords more easily. And reach is improved with my somewhat shorter fingers.

why2

[warfrat73]

Originally Posted by MinorKey

Well I'm not a classical player. At one point I was going that way but nah, its not for me. Folk/blues/rock is more my thing. And with a footrest under my right leg its much more comfortable

Well, even Billy Strings has talked about switching over to playing "classical style" when he's sitting down.

[rmp]

Well... it's horses for courses. Sometimes the left leg for righties can mess with your back. But it does put the neck in a good spot.

One thing I use quite a lot that solves all this is a NeckUp strap, quite the handy little invention IMHO. Puts the guitar on the right thigh, but neck is right where ya need it. Almost perfect really! they are 45 bucks but I think worth it.

check it out.. (Google is your friend. )

[musicman1951]

I would guess that you didn't have the neck at a high enough angle when it was on your left leg. It should have been closer to eye level (not quite, but that's the angle) - and then you would have found the reach much easier.

[Malcolm Kindnes]

Originally Posted by rmp

Well... it's horses for courses. Sometimes the left leg for righties can mess with your back. But it does put the neck in a good spot.

One thing I use quite a lot that solves all this is a NeckUp strap, quite the handy little invention IMHO. Puts the guitar on the right thigh, but neck is right where ya need it. Almost perfect really! they are 45 bucks but I think worth it.

check it out.. (Google is your friend. )

I agree, a NeckUp is a great help and you can use it on either knee. I'm in my seventies and playing four nights a week using a NeckUp.

[MinorKey]

Originally Posted by musicman1951

I would guess that you didn't have the neck at a high enough angle when it was on your left leg. It should have been closer to eye level (not quite, but that's the angle) - and then you would have found the reach much easier.

No it wasn't that, it was just that the headstock was further from my body and as I'm still a learner I'm playing a lot of first position chords, and its more of a stretch when the guitar is on my left knee. In either cases the neck is pretty much level, not up in the air like classical.

[geelinus]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Actually, you have been doing it correctly if you were a classical player.

I use my left leg with smaller guitats. Easier to keep the neck up for easier chording (and less wrist pain)

Yep. Everything he said.

[sevenpalms]

I’ve actually been playing my dread, with a strap, sitting in a more or less the classical position but with the neck up high and the guitar between my legs. This allows me to hear the guitar better and reduces wrist pain.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by sevenpalms

I’ve actually been playing my dread, with a strap, sitting in a more or less the classical position but with the neck up high and the guitar between my legs. This allows me to hear the guitar better and reduces wrist pain.

I do the same thing. Having a guitar unstrapped on a knee, fighting to keep it locked into place is nothing but a memory for me.

[MinorKey]

I have a strap for my Fender Dread, bought as gift, but I took it off because it kept getting in the way when trying to put the guitar on the stand. I no longer have the stand so the guitar gets put in its padded gig bag after playing. I can't see a strap helping when sitting (although I use a handmade one that my partner crocheted on one of my ukes)

[Misifus]

In years to come, your right shoulder will thank you.