The Essential Guide to Using a Footstool for Proper Guitar Posture
- Philippe Nicolau
- Jan 23
- 5 min read
A deep dive into why posture matters
& how a simple footstool can change the way you play.
Why Guitar Posture Matters More Than Most Players Realise
Whether you're picking up a guitar for the first time or have been playing for years, posture is one of the most important - and most overlooked - aspects of your playing. Many beginners think of posture as something “nice to have.” Experienced players often assume they’ve already figured it out. But proper posture is a foundation that shapes everything else: tone, technique, endurance, comfort, confidence.
At Tritone Music Mentors in De Pijp, Amsterdam, we see the same pattern among students of all ages: the moment posture improves, everything becomes easier. Notes flow more cleanly. Chords require less effort. The back, shoulders, and arms relax. The fretboard feels more accessible. Creative choices open up.
The goal of posture is never rigidity; it’s freedom. And one of the simplest tools to achieve that is the humble footstool.
The Footstool: A Small Tool With a Huge Impact
A guitar footstool is perhaps the most under appreciated piece of gear. It isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t have knobs or LEDs. It won’t make your tone heavier or your vibrato sweeter. But when it comes to playing posture and long-term comfort, few tools can compete.
Classical guitarists have used footstools for centuries. Flamenco players, too. The reason is simple: raising one leg slightly changes the entire geometry of your spine, shoulders, and hands. It places the guitar in its most ergonomic and accessible position.
The goal of posture is to make the guitar feel natural, as if it is part of your body.
A footstool helps you achieve exactly that — effortlessly.
This seemingly rigorous practice is not limited to the classical world. In fact, proper posture — including the use of a footstool or elevated playing position — is also observable across modern genres that demand precision and endurance.
Many technical death metal guitarists, progressive metal players, and virtuoso shredders adopt similar setups to stabilise the instrument, improve fretboard access, and maintain clean execution at extreme tempos. When the music becomes physically demanding, ergonomics stop being optional and become fundamental — no matter the genre.
How a Footstool Improves Posture
Let’s break down how a footstool directly influences your anatomy, technique, and ease of play.
1. Improved Spine Alignment
When one foot is slightly elevated, your pelvis tilts upward just enough to allow your spine to stack more naturally. This reduces:
Lower back strain
Compensatory slouching
Long-term muscular fatigue
A study on musicians’ musculoskeletal health found that poor seated posture is one of the leading causes of chronic pain among guitarists and orchestral players. [1]
Raising one leg changes that dynamic immediately.
2. Relaxed Shoulders and Arms
Without a footstool, many players lift their shoulders unconsciously to compensate for an unstable guitar position. Over time, tension builds in:
Traps
Rotator cuff
Neck
Shoulder blade stabilisers
A footstool stabilises the guitar on your elevated leg, so your shoulders can drop and relax. You stop fighting to keep the guitar in place. That alone can reduce tension-related obstacles to smooth, expressive playing.
3. Better Fretboard Access & Wrist Health
This is one of the biggest benefits for both beginners and experienced guitarists:
Your fretting hand wrist doesn’t bend as sharply.
Your fingers can approach the fretboard at a more efficient angle.
Your picking hand can move more freely.
Complex fingerstyle patterns become more accessible.
Extreme wrist angles dramatically increase tendon pressure and vulnerability to injury. A footstool keeps your wrist in a safer, more neutral position.
This is one of the biggest facilitators for smooth playing, and one of the most effective barriers against future injury.
What Happens When You DON'T Use a Footstool
Let’s look at the consequences. These are issues we see every day among players in Amsterdam:
Without a footstool, guitarists tend to unconsciously:
Round their back
Tilt the guitar inward
Hyperflex the wrist
Lift the picking shoulder
Grasp the neck too hard
Struggle with stretches and barres
Long-term effects can include:
Lower-back pain
Neck stiffness
Tendon strain
Difficulty accessing higher frets
Reduced endurance
Slower technical progress
All of these may seem small in the moment, but they build up over weeks, months, and years. Many guitarists reach plateaus because their posture is holding them back.
Proper posture removes obstacles and restores ease of play.
Real Research on Musician Posture
Many players think posture advice is just tradition or teacher preference, but it’s backed extensively by ergonomic and medical research.
Here are key findings:
What Drives Playing-Related Injuries in Musicians?
This study identifies who is most vulnerable to PRMDs and reveals that healthy practice routines, including breaks and warmups, offer real protection for musicians. [1]
The Hidden Injuries Musicians Face
Musicians commonly develop musculoskeletal and nerve issues from the physical demands of playing, though most recover fully with proper treatment. [2]
In other words: tiny adjustments - like raising one leg - make measurable differences.
How to Use a Footstool Properly
Here is a simple step-by-step method you can follow at home:
Place the footstool under your left foot (for right-handed players).
Adjust its height so your thigh is gently angled upward.
Rest the guitar on the elevated leg, allowing the neck to rise naturally.
Keep your back tall, not stiff, and shoulders loose.
Ensure the fretboard angles slightly upward toward your eyes.
Keep both feet planted and stable.
Breathe deeply and avoid leaning over the guitar.
An ideal posture should feel:
Open
Balanced
Relaxed
Effortless
Natural
If it feels forced, experiment with footstool height. Even 2–3 cm can make a huge difference.
Alternatives to a Footstool
Not everyone prefers a traditional footstool, and that’s okay. Here are viable alternatives:
1. Ergoplay / Guitar Support Devices
These attach to the guitar and simulate the ergonomic benefit without raising your leg.
2. Adjustable Chairs
A chair with a slight tilt can support pelvis alignment.
3. Cushions
A temporary solution, but useful in a pinch.
4. Crossover Guitar Supports
Used by modern classical guitarists for maximum ergonomic efficiency.
What matters most is not the tool, but the posture it creates.
Common Myths About Playing Posture
“Good posture looks stiff.”
No! good posture is relaxed. If it feels rigid, it’s being done incorrectly.
“I’m experienced, I don’t need this.”
Experienced players often benefit the most. Small inefficiencies accumulate over time.
“Footstools are only for classical guitarists.”
False. They’re for anyone who wants:
Better back support
Easier fretboard access
Reduced tension
Cleaner technique
“It doesn’t matter if I’m comfortable now.”
Posture issues tend to appear later, often suddenly.
Final Thoughts
Posture as a Path to Freedom
Using a footstool is not about discipline or tradition. It’s about making your guitar feel like an extension of your body. A footstool doesn’t just elevate your leg; it elevates your whole playing experience.
Better posture leads to:
More expressive phrasing
Less physical effort
Longer, more enjoyable practice sessions
Improved access to difficult shapes and stretches
Faster technical progress
If posture has been holding you back - and for many players it does - this small change can unlock huge improvements.
For guitarists in Amsterdam, especially those learning at Tritone Music Mentors, we always encourage one experiment: Try a footstool for just one week. The difference often surprises people.
Sources
Zaza C. “Musicians’ Playing-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.” Occupational Medicine. 1998.
Lederman R. “Neuromuscular and Musculoskeletal Problems in Instrumental Musicians.” Medical Problems of Performing Artists. 2003.
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