Like you, I really do enjoy playing sitar in the half lotus, but it is a struggle sometimes! The biggest problem is, after about twenty minutes, my left leg is pins and needles and I have to stop. Has anyone else gone through this or is going through this? Please tell me it goes away over time!
My lessons are 2 hours and this interruption is depressing.
Hi Jayem, Theres a thread I posted (Sitting Postions) around August 2002 sometime, it has a few insights about this subject. If it makes you feel any better, I cant sit on the floor at all, even after a year of some-what steady playing. So I'm just resigned to the fact of being a couch sitarist.
I can last 5 minutes, maybe 10 at the most on the floor.
Jeffrey R King
I used to do a lot of martial arts, but still I have trouble after an hour or so. I have 2 hour classes as well. I find it helps to stretch a bit first. In particular, I try to put my left foot behind my head (haha, sounds funny, but it helps as a stretch). NB don't try this if you have been walking around in sandals all day !
I don't even try to get straight up from the lotus, I stretch both legs out first and then get up. It is less embarassing.
Jaym, I don't configure my system to go back that far on the forum, but as I remember the thread, the gist was that for most people, you will get used to it in time. But there's no substitute for "butt time". You need to sit in position every day for as many hours as you can handle it, either with or without your sitar. Plus, stretching exercises or yoga does help. For those with a bad back, sitting flush against a wall can help. Some also use a heavy pillow (not advised)or just sit on the couch (couch sitarist is better than nothing). But if you're average, it will come in time. But like you were advised, don't get up quickly. You might fall right down again!
You can always change the number of days of topics you want to see. On the index page, under the menu, there's a drop-down box titled "Show Topics". You can choose anything from yesterday, 2 days ago, all the way up to 365 days, to "from all time", Then you can change it again to whatever you want. I usually keep mine set for one week, but often change it to see recent topics again.
However, to look at something from a long time ago, such as the "sitic" topic a year ago, its much easier to use the "search" feature on the menu.
Clicking on search will bring up the search menu. In the "Keyword" box I put "sitting".
In the "Within" box, I chose "subject field only", guessing the word "sitting" would be in the subject. If that didn't work, I would choose "subject, or body".
In the "Boards" list I clicked on "Sitar Forum".
In the "Post Date" box, since I knew this topic was a long time ago, I chose "any days", which searches all the messages.
Then click on "Search", and I see the messages with "sitting" in the subject.
Neal (Sep 01, 2003 06:58 p.m.):
Hey Jay, I just spent the last 35 minutes trying to relocate that thread. Frustrating with a slow modem. Someone just reposted it under sitting positions.
Actually, "sitting positions" is the original thread you were looking for. Ted put a reply on it today, which caused it to more to today's postings. I didn't think of that, would have made it easier for everyone to find!
Hey Jay, I just spent the last 35 minutes trying to relocate that thread. Frustrating with a slow modem. Someone just reposted it under sitting positions.
Don't know if I can see David on the 27th. But I did just get him on my friends radio show on WATD in Boston for sometime in October.
Neal
PS When you get your Shristi, I would love to see it and play it if I might. I want to get a second Sitar from Lars.
Hey Neal- I didn't see anything under 9-3-02 unfortunantely. How is your half lotus comfort level after 20-30 minutes?
Are you going to see David in concert on Sept. 27th?
Great feedback on this topic. I guess even with sitting practice makes perfect! Pre-playing stretches is a very good piece of advice which I think I should get in the habit of doing. I did learn the hard way about trying to get right up after playing in the half lotus for 20 minutes. . .OUCH!
NEAL-I did get the Shristi and it is a beautiful instrument. I did have some slippage problems on the SA string but worked with David to correct it (filing and chalk). Also, the tarb strings were poor and I broke a couple. All in all David gave it a thumbs up on it's sound and craftmanship. Lars definitely cares about these instruments and his customers. If we both head to Amesbury the same day you are more then welcome to play it.
Matt-I got the Standard Model. Just don't have enough cash to get the next model up. I am very happy with this instrument. . .Talk to Lars at Sitars Etc. He is a helpful guy.
Since my lessons have started a few months ago, it has been difficult to use the half-lotus postion for the first few weeks, untill I realised that you can put a rolled-up sock under your left foot (for a right handed sitar) and it really isnt such a pain! I don't think it effects the sound quality, (well at least my teacher doesn't say anything about it). Just last week, I was able to sit in the position for the whole lesson, but I stretched before practicing.
