Playing L body in classical position

Started by Sandstorm, January 21, 2024, 02:44:13 PM

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Well I've got the gears turning for what next steel string I want and I think I'd really like an L or LV because it's a proprietary Larrivee design and I really like the company and brand...also seems its extremely versatile for fingerstyle and picking and strumming without a compromise in either.

I have an OM40 mahogany now and as I got comfortable with it, I find I most of the time play it on my left leg, sitting in classical position with footstool.  If I'm strumming and picking, I'll play it on my right leg sometimes.  If I use a thumb pick I can do fingerstyle playing on my right leg but having invested many years into classical guitar, I just find it easier and more comfortable to play fingerstyle in classical position, no thumb pick.  If I use a thumb pick, my right hand position changes slightly and I can play on my right leg, but even then its hard to play something more intricate because the body depth makes it uncomfortable to see my right hand over the side of the guitar. 

Since the L body proportions aren't dissimilar to classical guitar, and not substantially different than my OM, my hope is it will be comfortable to play on the left leg.  Although the L body I consider to be from the dreadnought family, am I wrong to think it should be easier to play on the left leg than a more traditional dread?  I've often wrestled around with a dread to play on my left leg...and it kind of looks odd.  My experience with an L body was a while ago and I wasn't considering it as I am now so I'm hoping to draw on some forum members experiences.


I play every guitar in classical style. If it feels odd, you might benefit from a footstool, guitar pillow, or some combination of the two to get it dialed in. I can play better and it's easier on my shoulders, as well as my hands, because I am not having to use much effort with either hand. And, I feel like I have so much more control as the guitar is locked in place. I actually started doing this around the time I got my first Larrivee L so I guess you could say the L is conducive to that position. It encouraged me to switch. But, it's really going to vary from person to person.

 And, fwiw, I find larger guitars to work better for classical positioning. Parlors are the only ones that are a little awkward for me as I have to use a footstool + pillow. Could be because I'm tall.

Thanks for the insights there.

Last I played a jumbo, tried briefly to seat it on my left leg, the rest of the body was rather obtuse...

I can see what you mean about a parlour being too small.  I'll bet a 00 would be the Goldilocks.

I just tried my L in the classical position, and it feels great (I've never tried that position much, it's nice!).  The L body is thinner than a normal dread, so in my opinion that's what makes it so comfortable. I see no problem if you got an L.
Larrivee P-03
Larrivee Forum VII

Like Bowie, I always place the waist of the guitar on my left thigh. (Unlike Bowie, I prefer small-bodied guitars) although I have a L-09 I'm quite fond of. I think I initially used a foot stool when I switched to this posture a long time ago but soon after determined that I didn't really need it at all.

I can use a thumb pick unless the tempo is too fast, but I really like the way it strengthens and intensifies the bass. Very likely because I think I need that on a smaller instrument.

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