Guitar Footstool article
Guitar Footstool for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Setting up a guitar footstool correctly takes only a few minutes but has a significant effect on posture and technique. Here is how to do it right from the beginning.
Setting up a guitar footstool correctly takes only a few minutes but is worth doing carefully. The height and position affect your playing posture, your left-hand reach and your long-term physical comfort. This guide covers how to do it properly from the beginning.
What You Need
Before starting, you need: a chair of appropriate height for you (ideally a dedicated guitar stool or armless chair of firm height), the footstool itself, and your guitar. The chair height affects how you set the footstool height, so establish your seated position first.
How to Set Up and Use a Guitar Footstool
- Sit upright in your chair with both feet flat on the floor. Your thighs should be roughly parallel to the floor or angled slightly downward. Avoid chairs that are too low (compressing the legs) or too high (causing you to perch).
- Place the guitar footstool under your left foot. Set it to the lowest position initially. The footstool goes directly under the foot, centred so the foot rests flat on the platform.
- Place the guitar on your left thigh. The guitar body sits on the thigh, with the waist of the guitar over the leg. The neck should angle upward to the left at approximately 45 degrees.
- Adjust the guitar footstool height until the guitar sits comfortably. The goal is an angle where your left forearm falls naturally onto the neck, your left thumb sits behind the neck without strain, and the guitar body stays close to your torso without squeezing. Raise the footstool one step at a time until this position is achieved.
- Check the guitar footstool is not sliding on the floor. The rubber feet should grip the floor. On polished or wooden floors, the footstool may shift during playing if the feet are worn or inadequate. Replace worn rubber feet or place the stool on a small rug section if slipping is a problem.
- Play a few scales or phrases and check for tension. After a few minutes of playing, scan your body for tension: left wrist, left shoulder, lower back, neck. If tension develops, the footstool height is probably too high or too low. Small adjustments of one notch at a time usually resolve it.
Ergonomics and Long-Term Use
A guitar footstool that is too high tilts the pelvis forward and compresses the lower back. Too low and the guitar drops flat, making left-hand technique harder and encouraging the player to hunch. The correct height keeps the pelvis neutral and the spine upright. If persistent discomfort develops despite correct footstool height, a guitar support (attached to the instrument) is worth exploring as an alternative approach.
Where to Go Next
Our complete overview covers the full context. Our buyer’s guide covers which model to choose. And our mistakes guide explains the setup errors that affect posture and playing.
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