sitting or standing

[dingfelder]

which do you like better for playing... sitting or standing?

[Riff]

Depends on the gig. Big Band- sit and then stand for solos, small groups-stand, Classical-sit.

I practice standing until I get tired, then I sit. :P

[SAXBUM]

I play my best and loudest when standing. I think my diaphragm has greater freedom of movement. I lay down for only two things, sleep and sex.

[Wailin']

Sometimes when I get tired I sit. Playing the piano requires being seated since the hand held at a certain angle produces a certain touch unyeilded when standing. In the same token, playing the sax when seated yields a different tone.

[Gandar]

Standing.

[Ritchie]

I prefer standing. Breathing comes more naturally than in the sitting position. But then, you sometimes don't have the choice (bigband), so I spend some of my practise time sitting.

By hearsay Lester Young developed his horizontal horn playing position because he wanted to practise lying down.

[Tootles]

I perfer standing, I move when I play, you know let my music flow through my entire body, not just through my horn. It makes me feel nice. 8)

[saxtub]

I prefer the standing position. 8)

[Tenorsaxer]

I sit when I go through scales or am working through a tough tune. I stand cause I like to kind of move around a little to put the feel into the music.

[BlueNote]

I definately like standing when I play. I can get into it more.

[Bartleby]

I,m usually to be found leaning against a wall in the sunshine if there is any.

[hannibal]

I prefer to stand/lean against a bar type stoll with my left leg resting on the stool slats. This position has the advantages of standing but the added bonus of helping to not fall over if I had a few a few beers! Also helps to take some of the weight off my legs (play bari) and brings my visual level down to a similar level as the drummers/piano player (I'm 6'2").

[Billy The Fish]

Standing definitely. I like to sway/dance as I play when I really get into it. I also feel more confident standing, and this in turn helps assist me project the sound more effectively. also find I can put more emotion into the performance when standing, such as when playing a slow blues for example. I am the same with all the instruments I play (sax, guitar, bass) except piano.

Billy The Fish.

[samsax]

Sitting is best for me because it puts me in a more relaxed state. The more relaxed I am, the better I play.

[hannibal]

I went to a classical Indian concert a few months ago where they had a sitar, tablas, and alto sax player churning out fantastic ragas. All were sitting directly on the floor (as is the tradition in Raga playing I suppose).

never before or since seen a sax player sitting in a full lotus postion on a rug on the stage floor. But his playing was ace- spitirual with full breath control.

Previous comment about beign relaxed made me think of it.

[Face Ache Mike]

Standing. In fact, I can hardly play when Im sat down, I feel like Im all curled up around the sax. The snag with standing though is I never know what to do with my legs. Until I get into the tune my legs are still but when I get going I look like I desperately need the toilet :lol:

[Brendan Muse]

I play sitting down just because the bari gets heavier the further from the ground you've got it. However, I much prefer standing for no reason I can really put my finger on.

[saxmanglen]

Definitely like to stand.

[JASaxman]

Standing, mainly because you can "groove" to the music better. That and people enjoy seeing a sax player that gets into it. Of course a stool comes in handy when you fall asleep with drool coming out on all sides of your mouth after you've had to sit through a 20 minute guitar solo... :doubt:

[Randall]

Standing....unless it is when you are playing bari or bass!

Actually I had a bass stand designed that can hold the horn while I stand and play. I had it made from an aluminum PA speaker stand. It works great and i can stand fully erect and play it.
I am 6' 2" :D

[bariman]

I play better sitting, with better tone quality and breath support (essiential ingredients in bari playing), but I just love to get up and move with the music when performing for an audience. I agree with Saxbum's philosophy about laying down.

Bariman

[benjamin1979]

I like to sleep and play.... :D . nah juz kidding. I found it standing will gimme more air.

[SilverNeck20]

Have to stand..............everyone else in the band does! Except the drummer, and the keyboard player when he's had a few too many.

[jov1988]

i like to mix it up

[Bernards20040]

Standing. I Just can't get into the playing and sitting thing i have to have the sax beetween my legs and i tend to lean forward and don't breath well :oops:

[JL]

Standing definitely. I don't even know if I can play sitting down. Maybe I should try it sometime and see.

[ClariBariGal]

Well on bari id have to say sitting...not as much pressure on my neck and stuff...but i can play just as well standing, just not for a long period of time.

[Docax]

Due to a neck condition, I can only play standing. Kinda limits big band opportunities.

[Bebopalot]

To me, playing the sax is kind of like dancing. There are few exceptions where I can do it sitting. :D

[bubblegirlsax]

Playing Recorder, I sit but still rock and "dance" to the music. I have quite a nice swing :)

For sax, I'll stand mainly. I have a monitor I can tilt up to read my music and I can rock even harder :) Although I don't have long head-banging hair anymore lol

[Alexk]

Standing works best for me. Sitting for big band. Occasionly, lurking on top of the front of house speakers if it is a full-on rock gig!

[barker]

Standing, even when I mostly played baritone. In fact, I used to do a running-on-the-spot thing with the bari in one (long) tune - a few years ago now, mind. I find it awkward sitting on the rare occasions I have to.

[jrvinson45]

I'm with hannibal... I like using a tall stool. One cheek on the stool, one foot on the floor. With my arthritic back it does wonders to take some of the weight off my spine and it's a simple rise to be fully standing or to stretch periodically. I have my keyboard stand extended to use the stool also and it's adjusted to hold the beer at elbow heighth.:D