Why classical guitarists should use a guitar strap
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- In this video, I head to the workshop of luthier Marshall Brune to put a strap on my classical guitar. We'll discuss the history of using straps on classical guitars, how to add a strap button, and setting up your strap.
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Coming Up
0:15 Ad for my new course!
0:39 Intro
1:40 Is it safe to install a strap button?
2:51 Can you install a strap at home?
4:00 How to install a strap button
6:37 Choosing a strap
7:28 Attaching the strap to the guitar
9:36 Adding a butt strap
11:30 Performance demonstration
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And this explains why some of my Arpeggiato students have been coming to lessons this week with a strap. Great video as always Brandon 👍
The indoctrination has begun! 🤣
🤣🤣
The reason why most players add a strap is to allow them to play in a standing position but as this video explores, slipping is a big issue. Its worth considering how the acoustic fingerstyle community approaches this topic, since this is their bread and butter. Ultimately you want the guitar to feel as balanced as when you are seated without any slipping. Their approach is to connect the strap at the shoulder of the guitar instead of the headstock - this does mean drilling 2 holes into your guitar but thankfully only into non-active wood. This approach has been successfully adopted by plenty of classical guitarists - Sonke Meinen is a great example. I still prefer playing seated but if I was going to approach playing standing up then the 2nd shoulder hole would be how I'd approach it.
"Reach for your ill-placed tool" That is a constant in life no matter what your making/fixing/working on. The tool is never where you need it to be when you need it lol
It was great to work with you on this one! Can’t wait to see you again!
I've added strap buttons myself to all my classical guitars.
It's really very very easy thing to do, and I believe anybody can do that without damaging the instrument.
Also, it makes playing instrument so much easier, and doesn't affect it's sound in any way at all.
I must say after years of playing instrument that way, I can't think of any valid reason not to do that. Well of course, unless your reason is "People in Spain 100 years ago weren't doing that". My answer to that would be that they also haven't used UA-cam at that time, so please stop watching UA-cam videos and learning guitar online if you want to respect the "tradition".
Thanks for the "butt strap" idea! I did something similar for my tenor ukulele. A "regular" strap across my shoulders was more or less working in the vertical direction, but the tail end of the instrument would swing out horizontally and was painful for my right arm. I took a strip of fabric and tied it to the tail part of the strap, then tied it around my waist. The uke is extremely stable this way and I can play with more freedom, not having to hold on to anything, and no pain.
I have been playing for years (mostly self-taught) and the difference is astounding! Without a strap I was constantly hunched over in an awkward posture and felt strained when playing. The tight strap instantly fixed my posture and brought a level of comfort and ease of playing I had no idea was possible. Thank you so much Brandon!
I come from steel string/folk guitar world, and when I switched to a classical guitar, i felt similar poor posture issues that you mentioned. I think it's because I'm a really tall guy and my classical guitar isn't as big as my steel string dreadnaught, so the classical doesn't rest as high agaisnt my body the dreadnaught would, which results in me hunching over a lot while playing.
Im going to try adding a strap to fix this.
@@bilbowaggins3036 you should try leaning the guitar back a little towards your chest rather than you hunching forward. That is if you play in the classical position. That solves a lot of problems, it makes it easier to see the fretboard too. I think Beatrix guitar has a video about this.
ua-cam.com/video/Rpalo0sbpj4/v-deo.htmlsi=32Al-uG0CMbIs2qA how to lean back rather than hunch forward
I had two strap buttons added when my current guitar was built. The second button isn't screwed into the side panel (the sides are part of the voice of the guitar), but into the base of the neck where it attaches to the body, & thus doesn't affect sound production. The strap makes holding (and playing) the instrument so much easier. As others below have said, it allows you to stand up and wander around your apartment playing. My back was being killed by sitting down in an uncomfortable position for hours on end. Cute idea about the 2nd piece of fabric! Thx for the post: there's real benefit from this kind of thinking out of the box.
I was going to make the same comment. Having it in the base of the neck gives me very stable positioning. I brought my concert guitar into a shop to have the strap pegs added and haven't looked back. I feel like I can be more expressive when I play as I have full body movement. And my back/butt doesn't hurt from sitting for long stretches at a time.
yes of course but not on the heal triangle it can split the wood but about an inch from the end of the hear other body . it's nit difficult to fill in the hole with a small piece of dowel if you change your mind no harm done
if you put a button on the back of the guitar you won't need that fabric .But if you are sitting why in the world would you need a stap ???? fir sitting one of those guitar supports will be best don't you think ?
@@brucelevine6517 it won't split the wood if it's done properly ask any carpenter many guitars have done this if it was a issue there would be millions of guitars wreaked haven't heard anything about this just get it done properly
@@brucelevine6517 For me personally. I have a bit of a pot belly. The strap stabilizes the guitar for me while sitting. It's a real wrestling match for a fat guy to hold a guitar close while in the seated position. I can't speak for others, though. There are probably loads of valid reasons for doing it.
A full version of you playing the three movements of La Catedral is all I'm missing in life 😂
Brandon is using his superpower to play guitar,he is Superman.
My day is already made whenever I realise you've made a new video!
You made me love my guitar more than ever before.
Thank you so much Brandon and I wish you all the best from the very bottom of my heart.
For the intro and the whole thing about "preserving the guitar" or "destroying" it.
I believe the instruments are made for playing, if you are an musician it's your job to play that instrument the best you can and that instrument is your tool and should be fitted for you so it can work just as you want it to work. Like what good for a builder is a 100 years old hammer if it has handle that the builder cannot use?
Thank you so much for this video Brandon!! I took my classical guitar to a luthier to add strap buttons after watching this video, and that was the best thing ever! Playing while standing up is so much more comfortable for me and my techniques got a lot better!
That fabric tip at the end is a game changer! I tried using a strap a few years ago but ultimately gave up because in order to keep the guitar from slipping like you showed I had to tighten the strap so much that it felt like I couldn't inhale fully. I'm excited to tear a piece off of my old curtains and try it out now. FYI if any of you are unsure whether or not to take the plunge with drilling in a button, fund a heavy-duty suction cup like some of the guitar supports use and test it out for a few weeks. I wouldn't recommend standing with just a suction cup, but for sitting it works like a charm.
Any video that has Marshall in it is such a treat.
I want to be like Brandon when I grow up. My hero.
Thanks for the video, and especially the helpful demonstration of how to properly install the strap button. After watching it several times, I successfully installed a button onto my classical guitar, and it's definitely my preferred method of playing.
Strap cured my wrist and palm pain when playing classical guitar (been playing electric and classical for 25 years). Took a long hiatus from classical and man oh man my palm was killing me. This allowed the neck to be in line with where I guess my wrist is used to being on my left hand like if I was playing e electric. Thanks !
Nice one! The beautiful bit at the end was an added delight! Cheers!
I prefer a guitar strap made of woven cotton material. Many of the prettier guitar straps you see are made of a woven synthetic material that just slides around on your shoulder and won't hold your instrument in place. Otherwise in leather they tend to stick in one spot on your clothing, typically the wrong spot, and can be heavy. Cotton seems to have the right amount of 'stayability'.
I'm not a classical guitarist per se, just a player who tries to "absorb what is useful" from any supergenre. I fell into using a strap by process of elimination: footstools are torture devices. I tried a guitar brace and got tired of fiddling around with it. Plus I already played steel string, with a strap setup that put it in a near-classical position. (There are reasons why that playing position is so standard among classical guitarists.)
I got into playing without nails by default too, just because my thumbnail is chronically defective and my day job is pure death on fingernails.
Gotta go check out your online guitar course now.
Just got a button installed at my local shop. Thank you for the advice Brandon! I'm finally done with those awful footstools
This is pure gold as is your whole channel, thank you!
Great video! I was in the market for one and was unsure. This helps a lot
11:31 the movement of the tendons and muscles of the left arm look so mesmerising haha
Valuable discussion. My guitar weighs almost nothing and just as kitchen plates periodically fly out of my hands, I fear my guitar will take off in a moment of inattention. Serious issue. I hate surrounding myself with matresses, sleeping bags, and feather pillows. Luthiers discourage this practice since they always have additional masterful replacement instruments for sale.
Very good idea for the bottom strap to get the guitar in the right playing position. Thanks about the strap on the guitar makes me want to try it again as I have been a nervous using the strap
A fantastic video, full of great ideas and information.
Thank you Brandon - exactly what I needed to hear - now I will confidently have a pro put a button on it for me - great! Excellent video! Happy times to you : )
I added both an end pin and heel pin to my classical and have found that to be quite comfortable. Neat idea about the "butt strap" !
now i need a gold baroque pattern strap
Using a strap is a great idea. It feels more comfortable 👏
Butt strap, what an ingenious method of pinching it there! Thanks
Great tips. Thank you for posting!
Always waited for your videos
Great vid again . I switched to playing classical guitar with a strap many years ago and have never looked back it was like a new lease of life.. I attach a 2nd strap button to the heel at the base of neck of the guitar. Attached in this way the strap wraps around the shoulder better than if the strap is attached to the headstock and is more stable and less prone to the strap slipping ( and also puts less strain on the guitar neck). Also the material the strap is made of to prevent slipping is critical and | find sued leather is the best in this respect.
I have added a button to the heel, too - but on the lower side of it, so the strap wraps around the heel and gives additional stability (this way the guitar does not tilt forward). Having a button on the heel feels much more secure to me, too. Have done it to my more expensive steel string, too, after some hesitation, since I was afraid to break something.
a strap on a classical guitar - shocking!!! Thanks for sharing - maybe you could share a video of you playing a "standard" classical guitar piece but standing up!? I'm curious! :D
La Catedral is one of my favourite pieces to play and it was my demonstration piece for my diploma back in the day. I am rusty on it now, but I always play some parts of it when I pick up the classical. 1st and 3rd movements rip, 2nd not so much :)
I use the same D'Addario headstock strap system on two of my guitars, and I really like them. I didn't want to put a strap button on the neck of my new Takamine, and this was the best option. I liked the system so much I also use it on my '67 Hummingbird. Glad to know I am in good company on this item! Thanks for the videos!
I added strap buttons to my Classical Guitar and Lute years ago. It makes them both easier to play, and it's nice to be able to stand up as well. On my Classical Guitar, I used the 2-Strap button method, placing the second strap button on the upper bout, like an electric guitar. Except, I placed the strap button close enough to the neck so it would screw into the neck block inside the guitar body. It's a bit tight, but I didn't want to add a block inside the guitar for the strap button to screw into. Regarding the need for a "butt strap," that may be a consequence of attaching the strap to the headstock, as I have no need for it using the standard 2-button approach. YMMV
Love your videos and teaching style
Love it. I'll need to try this out.
Thank you . This makes a lot of difference for me.
Thank you, I did it flawlessly first try because of this :)
Souldier makes the finest guitar straps I have purchased from the 7 different brands I bought. Real soft leather ends, stitched securely , metal buckle, seat belt material inside not polyweb and always exquisite stitched material with groovy patterns used on outside
I never thought about a strap on my classical guitar, didn't think it was done, but it was done in the past. Seems like common sense. Good info here.
Great video!
Thank you. I was very curious about attaching to nut area then I saw it on your guitar. Need to stabilise that neck for alternating four string held chords
Thank you for the video.
I remember reading or seeing that Mason Williams (who wrote Classical Gas) invented a "Guitar Sling" as played a Classical Guitar in Folk clubs of the 1960's. Does anybody have experience with one of these "Slings". I understand they do not require any drilling into the guitar.
Fantastic💯
A little while ago I installed Waverly snakewood strap buttons on my 1967 Hagstrom classical guitar.
I’ve installed strap buttons in the tail blocks of instruments before but this was the first time installing a button in the heel of the neck.
I took all precautions that I could think of. I used a hand drill, painter’s tape to protect the finish while drilling, and put a bit of beeswax on the screw threads.
Everything turned out ok, but drilling into the heel of the neck was slightly nerve wracking. It would have been easier with a sharper drill bit.
It’s so much more comfortable to play now. I wish I had put the buttons on years ago.
Why the heel of the neck instead of the headstock?
@@edzmuda6870 The balance is better and for me, it’s more comfortable. I think that’s the reason modern acoustic guitar designs come from the factory with a button on the neck heel. I have a few instruments with the strap attached to the headstock and I much prefer the way I set up the Hagstrom.
Also I’ve read in several places that it’s not good for the neck to have the pull of the strap on the headstock. I’m not sure I believe that though.
If you’re not comfortable with woodworking it’s probably better to just start with putting a button in the tail block. You can always take it to a luthier and have a button added to the neck heel later.
This video is godsend. I love playing with a strap, but my left shoulder is really affected by long term backpack use back in highschool. Now I can't hang anything on my shoulders (no matter how light) without experiencing pain in a couple minutes... But I never thought about extending it and hanging it at the end of the neck. This makes it distribute the pressure along the back, rather than on the shoulder. Now, I can finally play while standing:)
I wonder if I can somehow make this work for electric and bass too.
I’ve been using it for just over a week and let me tell you, once you get used to it, the convenience and stability it offers is hardly paralleled to other options. I recommend you give it a week or two, adjusting it to your comfort.
Nice tip. Thanks 🍀
I am not a Luthier...but I have done tons of construction work. The tape helps you so that you don't mark the wood when you fall into the object with the drill. I learned that the hard way a long time ago installing kitchen cabinets. Just put the tape and don't add ugly drill markings. Also helps with the wood braking incorrectly, but like he said, the finish helps with that part too.
If I had to install a strap button on a precious instrument, I'd go for an antique looking one, like the beautiful mushroom-shaped buttons we can see on some Renaissance guitars, that are made out of material imitating ivory or stone, or, precious wood, brass, etc. This should exist for modern guitars, I guess ? Concerning maintaining the guitar not sliding on the thigh, I personally use a small square of carpet anti-slide material, lol. Works wonder !
I think that what I want ! Thank you very much ♥
Great video, thank you for the tips! Fair warning - those Daddario clips are great - for about a year (six months if you perform standing). At that point, the stress on the clip and the constant snapping / unsnapping of them makes them a bit unreliable. I had one fail me during a outdoors gig, and only my "catlike reflexes' (ie. a panicked grab and dumb luck) prevented my Collings from kissing the concrete
The butt strap idea is brilliant I'll have to try that. I just started experimenting with a strap and I think I like it. I have a button installed on the heel of the guitar too and I think that is a bit more stable then tying off to the head stock though I can understand that many people will not want to drill into the heel of the guitar too.
I have a Kazuo Yairi 1973 120model flamenco cedar /Cypress that had strap buttons added..
The one at the bottom of guitar I've learned to live with..
But he also put a strap button on the Spanish heel!!!
Wish he had watched this vid..
The button on the heel annoyed me so much while playing I had to take it off and fill the hole with wood filler..
Thanks for showing the proper way..
I guess as the bottom pin is still there and tastefully done I can now add the strap on headstock and play standing if I choose.
Thanks Brandon
Really want that specific guitar strap, looks good
Very impressive to listen to thanks
It's not uncommon for the strap to come away from the button at the bottom of the guitar, particularly an issue if you're standing. To prevent this, I'd suggest purchasing one of the widely available strap locks e.g. an extremely simple solution is the D'Addario Dual-Lock Strap Locks - they simply slide onto the existing button, preventing the strap from sliding off. There's two of them in case you have a top button, and they only cost a couple of dollars. A strap lock is recommended.
I would sell my soul to hear you play la cathédrale.
I would recommend using strap locks… I had one strap come off a button and was lucky enough to catch it (I was playing at the time)…
That actually works perfectly for getting the guitar into a common flamenco playing position (see Juan Serrano for an example).
A button on the heel of the guitar would give you far more control over how to position it and reduces the movement of the guitar when you're not actually holding it tightly to your body. I have one on a steel string guitar. I hold all my different guitars with a strap this days. After having played for 30 years I noticed a swelling on my right thigh. I can't say playing the guitar caused it, but it did coincide exactly with where the guitar sat. Having all the guitars on straps, jazz, folk and electric is a no brainer. I must admit, I had toyed with the idea of a strap on my classical. May give this one a go sometime.
I should add that a leather strap does not move as much as a synthetic cloth strap .
Nice information. How do you make it work while standing?
I am learning to sing, and as a classical guitarist I have been sitting down for so many years.... I love standing to play! However, the issue I face is seeing my fretboard.... With it so far out front (I had this issue with the lute too) it is pretty awkward for me! I am just gonna have to get used to it, but I will say this is an excellent way to play.
I would love if we could get a video of the full build process (could be multiple videos) of a new guitar from scratch love your videos!
Marshall did just that on Rob Scallon's channel! worth watching.
Yeah, that vid on Rob's channel is pure gold
Bravo!
Good video. Would it not be better though to have a 2nd button attached to the rear of the heel at the bottom of the neck? Then if you used a broad strap the friction would be significant enough to hold the guitar steady...?
A video on fast playing technique please
Thanks!
Thank you, Zoran!
I was designing a kind of soft clapping brace that could be temporary placed on any classical guitar that could Substitue drilling a permanent hole for a strap button
@Brandon.
Is electro classical guitar better than acoustic classical guitar and what's the difference between both.
Could you share with us why you opted not to install a strap lock on the other side of the guitar, and instead you attached it to the headstock?
I got a couple of those sound hole grabbing ones when I was in Mexico. They work, but they aren't great.
I like the fact you're promoting straps, although I think I'd prefer a traditional wooden end pin style peg on a Spanish guitar.
The butt strap thing indicates above average problem solving ability. Well Done!
I've used a strap for many years now, because of back issues. There are any number of grippy pads that can adhere to the underside of the strap right at shoulder level, which can serve the same purpose as the butt strap...
Really ?
Where could I get these ?
An Acoustic Slimlock Connector Strap would be cool
The problem I have with straps is that they pull the guitar against the body. I prefer not to have the guitar pressed to my body as I can feel it deadening the tone (mind you, Brandon doesn't seem to have that issue!). On another matter, a 'professional' enlarged a friend's existing strap button hole for an endpin jack socket and ripped out the finish round the hole (not a classical - had a lacquer finish), because he just used a bigger diameter drill, rather than a step drill - it was a $3k guitar. So it goes.
I guess I mostly,selfishly play for me. Being disconnected from my guitar, I think for me, would take some of the joy out of playing. I'm kind of weird though in that sometimes I'll rest my ear on the guitar as I play just to feel that vibration.
My Cordoba LP came with strap buttons. Is there any advantages (comfort and ergonomics) to put the strap on the headstock? Thanks
More Barrios please!
I am curious if that is your recently acquired Saers?
I just got straps yesterday 😄😄
Is it safe to drill the base of the guitar near the butt end, i have classic - electric guitae which have ports. I have doubts that it might damage the electrical components it if i drill it.
Between this and your video from about 8 months ago I think you've covered all the options except one. What do you think of things like the D'Addario Classical Guitar Strap, and similar straps from Stagg, Levy's Leathers, and others? These have a loop that goes around your neck/shoulders and then at the bottom of the loop have a linear strap that goes behind the guitar, across the bottom, and up the front and end in a hook that you hook into the bottom of the sound hole. Even if you eventually go with something else I've found they are a good first alternative to a foot stool to try. I was skeptical of spending nearly $100 on a guitar support when I wasn't sure that my guitar holding problems were due to a foot stool just not working well with my body type. An $8 sound hole hook strap was cheap enough to try speculatively, and made a massive improvement confirming that the foot stool was my problem. Now that that is confirmed I'm more willing to go with a pricier support option.
IMHO, that neck straps are OK only for cheap guitars. That hook can (and will eventually) damage the soundhole on a solid wood instrument because spruce and cedar are quite soft. Also, many guitars have a reinforcement layer inside around the soundhole, so it is not always even possible to fit that hook.
You should not drill all through your guitar's heel without a bit stop unless you want to use the button as plug for an internal microphone. The bit should be a pointy wood bit and you blow into the hole to remove the dust. The quality of the suporting screw is very important. The bit should be slighty smaller than the depth of the screw threads, but not too much so the wood doesn't rip. If the bit is too wide it's the screw what may rip the hole. There are drill screws, not the pointy self perforating (they may rip the wood without drilling), that you could use to make the hole with a screwdriver very carefully.
Super video Brandon ,
I’m playing standing with a strap now as years of sitting and playing has given me back and leg problems,
Thing is the butt strap solution I can’t use when standing , I ll have to think of a solution to that
Thanks! The solution to standing is that you tie the excess strap (which is normally sat on) to your belt loop on your left side.
@@brandonacker ah I see , I will try 😊👍
very nicely explained and showcased! what was the piece you played in the very end?
La catedral by Barrios
@@brandonacker thanks a lot!
Great video! Question. You also use the Ergoplay? Do you really prefer the strap over it and use the Ergoplay mainly because the Ergoplay is more professional looking than a strap for performance? If not, what makes you choose to play with a strap over the Ergoplay at times other for than standing up? Thanks! 🤗🎶
Thanks! I use straps all the time in concerts. I don't agree that it doesn't look professional just because players today mostly abide by very recent tradition and skip the golden age of the guitar (the 19th century) where you could play with a strap, gut strings and no nails and it was just normal.
Both the strap and ergoplay work great and they each have pros and cons. I'd suggest trying them both.
As always, the simplest solution, the better.
Butt strap is brilliant!
Can I super glue a bottom tip to tie a string strap? Or is that not worth it?
I just wanted to point out that strap buttons are very commonly attached to the heel of acoustic steel-stringed guitars, not just electrics. The exact location on the heel can vary though.
I’m looking to spend up to $1300 on a classical guitar, but the catch is that it will need to be purchased online. I’ve been looking at the Cordoba C10 SP/IN but the poly finish looks pretty thick. Does anyone have any suggestions or does anyone know how the cordoba is? I’m new to classical guitar but not new to guitar, and I’m wanting something of quality that I don’t have to upgrade from.