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Topic: Is Difficulty Playing on Lap a Common Problem? |
Mark Helm
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 24 Sep 2017 1:31 pm |
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Folks:
I'm having a lot of trouble playing my steel on my lap. for any length of time Getting in the right position is difficult and maintaining it for a 1-2 hour practice session is brutal on this 55 year-old body .
Is this a common problem? Do most of you guys end up using a stand? Or do I just need to work at it, like any sport 
You input greatly appreciated. Trying to decide if ploughing $200 into a Deluxe34 stand is a good investment.
Please contact me if you have a used one for sale!
_________________
Remington Steelmaster S8 w/ custom Steeltronics pickup. Vox MV-50 amplifier + an 1940's Oahu cab w/ 8" American Vintage speaker. J. Mascis Fender Squire Jazzmaster, Hofner Club bass, Ibanez AVN4-VMS Artwood Vintage Series Concert Size Acoustic Guitar. 1920s/30s Supertone Hawaiian-themed parlor guitar. Silvertone parlor guitar. |
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Miles Lang
From:
Venturaloha
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Posted 24 Sep 2017 3:26 pm
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| I prefer to use a stand, or a console with legs. |
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Noah Miller
From:
Rocky Hill, CT
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Posted 24 Sep 2017 4:27 pm
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| I find that the seat is critical. It needs to be just the right height and have the right amount of cushioning. My back feels a lot better after shows now that I invested in a drum throne. |
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Guy Cundell
From:
More idle ramblings from South Australia
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Posted 24 Sep 2017 4:32 pm
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I am with Noah. I used to suffer from 'bum rot' big time before I got a drum throne. I don't have any problems with long sessions with an 8 string reso which is, arguably, more difficult to deal with than a an electric slab.
That said, I also do pilates once a week and find that my posture, particularly for sitting, has improved out of sight. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 24 Sep 2017 4:38 pm
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Yes, it's a problem for me. I alternate between pedal steel and lap steel sometimes so I sit on the same pak-a-seat style steel seat.
I'm not a tall guy and my legs tilt forward sitting on this seat although it is a standard height Sho-Bud seat.
The lap steel always heads toward my knees and tries to slide off my lap and it's distracting having to always feel like I need to catch it. This causes me to tiptoe to even it up which causes discomfort at my calves.
I'm working on an idea to even up the dobro height on the neck side for sit down playing, so I may also have an idea about doubling up on that for better lap steel comfort for me. |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 5:12 am
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I seem to have no trouble sitting with a single-neck 6 string steel in my lap....but I do like stands!
The two steels I use in my lap are a National Waikiki and an old Nioma-branded Magnatone. Both are small and light and are no problem to hold for a couple of sets.
I have a little bit more trouble with my metal-body acoustic steel, though. |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 5:29 am
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I have issues balancing a dobro on my lap, so I usually wear a strap when sitting down. Maybe I need a pad under the neck or a footrest to raise my left leg. Lap steels aren't a problem for me as long as my legs are parallel to the floor. Also, something grippy on the bottom of the steel, even just felt, makes a big difference.
Having said that, I prefer to stand... ðŸ˜
_________________
Peter
---------
www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 5:37 am
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I have issues balancing a dobro on my lap, so I usually wear a strap when sitting down. Maybe I need a pad under the neck or a footrest to raise my left leg. Lap steels aren't a problem for me as long as my legs are parallel to the floor. Also, something grippy on the bottom of the steel, even just felt, makes a big difference.
Having said that, I prefer to stand... ðŸ˜
_________________
Peter
---------
www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 5:44 am
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Nobody has any business telling someone if they should spend money or not. But.....
If you can spare the $$, buy the 34 and put the deciding behind you. In no time you will forget about the expenditure and have a great stand. The stand can be adjusted for sitting or standing so you've got that covered.
Note that Mark makes different brackets for different guitars so for $20 or so (if I'm recalling correctly) you can adapt the stand for future guitars too when the need arises.
fwiw--if you were to be in a precarious setting with drunk dancers or a tiny stand with drunk guitarists, the 3 leg stand which works great for me in my studio might be tippy if backed into. The 4 leg model would be safer in a high risk situation.
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oh--and as to your original question--
| Quote: |
| Is Difficulty Playing on Lap a Common Problem |
--for me, yes, I have a hard time getting comfortable.
.
. |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 6:10 am
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For me, playing with guitar on my lap for long periods of time can be uncomfortable. After my first few gigs playing steel exclusively I invested in one of Mark's Deluxe 34 stands and it made a world of difference. I've since purchased another one for my studio.
I went with the 4 leg model called "The Universal"
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 7:38 am
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I find that you need a little higher seat so you are playing "down hill". It is a lot easier on your bar hand.
Also, when I played a lot of lap steel, I liked to use a tapered bar for the same above reason. 
Erv |
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John Limbach
From:
Billings, Montana, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 11:38 am
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| I have one of Mark's stands since the frets hide under my ample belly if I try to play with it on my lap. I have the four leg version and use it with both the Frypan and B6. Just change the front adapter. |
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Mick Hearn
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 25 Sep 2017 11:50 pm
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I prefer a stand. I prefer to have the steel just a little higher than leg level similar to the height of a pedal steel. My National D8 is designed for use on the lap and both necks are at the same level. It a big beast to have on your lap but then I have to have it at an angle in order to do some slants high up the neck. The stand just makes everything that much easier.
_________________
ShoBud 6139, Remington Steelmaster D8, National D8 Console x 2, George Boards Lap Steel, National New Yorker. |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 26 Sep 2017 12:13 am
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After spending countless hours on researching each of the pro setups I found a really comfy position taken from classical pianists. As they have perfected seated positioning down to an exact science.
Focusing on maximum efficiency, speed, technique and least strain and avoiding injury.
From finger exercises
To DEFINITELY using a stand
A keyboard or piano stool
Wrist position
Elbow position
Shoulders at rest
To posture and breathing
I recommend you NOT play it in your lap and curve your spine and strain your neck.
Classical pianists have centuries of experience and refinement addressing all of the above in huge amounts of detail to make our generation better informed and more capable than those who have gone before.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2017 9:39 am
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| I get really bad shoulder and neck aches from looking down at the lap steel on my lap. Playing on a stand alleviates some but not all of this. |
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Joseph Napolitano
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2017 6:17 pm
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| Like Bill, my neck kills me playing with resonator on my lap. |
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Larry Lenhart
From:
Ponca City, Oklahoma
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Posted 26 Sep 2017 7:06 pm
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deleted
_________________
Zum Encore, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90,1976 Ibanez L5, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp
Last edited by Larry Lenhart on 26 Sep 2017 9:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Jim Hinds
From:
Gallatin, TN USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2017 1:24 pm
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For you players using a stand for lapsteel, do you stand or sit when playing?
Thanks |
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Stefan Robertson
From:
Hertfordshire, UK
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 5:20 am
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Do you practice the piano or keyboard standing?
Sit for most practice and stand once in a while if thats your thing.
I could but I find it Cheesy but that more of a preference as I see it like a piano/pedal steel.
Just looks like little Richard to me. 
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com
"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist" |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 6:11 am
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| Jim Hinds wrote: |
| For you players using a stand for lapsteel, do you stand or sit when playing? |
I do it both ways. I have three Deluxe34 stands (two are doubles), and plan to purchase another soon. One of my doubles is set up for the sitting position, and the other is set up to play standing up. |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 10:03 am
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To comment in pidgin, "no boddah me". I play sometimes with a stand, sometimes on my lap. I'm 5'6", so a regular kitchen/dining chair works fine. If I need to stand, I use my Mark Roeder stand I got with my Asher Alan Akaka special.
_________________
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 10:39 am
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There are many cheap or no cost options for a steel guitar stand...
A small folding snack table works great, an senior citizen's
walker (try goodwill store there are always some there) and I use a cheap x brace keyboard stand. You can modify a drum/cymbal stand or use one of those Black "Manhasset" music stands.
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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