How to Play an Offset

J. Mascis standing up and playing a Fender Jazzmaster.

The vast majority of electric guitars are shaped for comfort while standing. The body is contoured so the guitar sits snugly against your waist, meaning the strings are parallel to your body. Offset guitars such as the Fender Jaguar, Fender Jazzmaster and Vox Teardrop are shaped specifically for playing in a seated position. This is because jazz and blues players -- the typical user of such guitars -- traditionally played seated. This doesn't preclude you from standing with your offset guitar, but to get the best out of an offset guitar make some very minor modifications to your playing style.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable guitar strap

Instructions

Standing

1. Fit the guitar strap using the strap buttons on the guitar. Put the guitar on so the strap sits on your left shoulder and runs around your back. Do the reverse, if left-handed.

2. 

   Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore using a Fender Jazzmaster.

   Bend your elbow so your forearm is at 90-degree angle to your upper arm and observe the position of your wrist relative to the guitar. Your wrist should be level with the nearest string. If it isn't, adjust the strap, as necessary. Lengthen the looped part to lower the guitar if your wrist was lower than the top string, shorten it to raise the guitar. You must be able to comfortably reach all strings without stretching. Because the offset is a different shape, it will sit differently against your body compared to a typical guitar. It is important to take the time to correctly adjust the strap.

3. 

   Make the "OK" sign to hold the plectrum.

   Clasp a plectrum between your thumb and first finger. Your thumb should be perpendicular to your first finger.

4. Strike a string with a plectrum. All of the movement should come from your wrist. If you need to move your arm to reach the farthest-away strings, shorten the strap some more. For individual notes pick one string at a time.

5. Press a string against the fretboard to alter the pitch. As you do so, anchor your thumb against the back of the neck and squeeze your thumb and fretting finger against the guitar. On an offset guitar, the fretboard sits much closer to your body. This means you don't need to reach out as much.

6. Add expression to notes by gently pushing the tremolo arm down. Typical offset guitars are designed for blues and jazz, so are likely to have a tremolo system. The tremolo is a lever system that lets you reduce the tension of a string to create a "dipping" sound.

Sitting

1. Remove the strap. It's not need when seated and since hangs loose when not in use, it can quite easily slide down your arm and distract you while you play.

2. Sit on an armless chair. An armchair is unsuitable because the arms will get in the way of the guitar. The seat should be low enough for your thighs to be at an approximate 90-degree angle to your shins. If the seat is too high, rest your left foot on a book or box to raise your knee.

3. Cross your right leg over your left, if you're right-handed. Do the reverse if left-handed. This elevates the guitar to a suitable height.

References

• Web Rocker: The Higher Evolution of Offset-Waist Guitars
• Fender: American Vintage '62 Jazzmaster