Re: Always use a strap? Even when seated?
I sit all the time and I don't use a strap. I've never actually found a way to use a strap that doesn't get tangled up in my hands, throw the balance off, end up falling off my shoulder or move the instrument while I'm playing. I've failed at strap using so many times!
That being said, it all depends on what you're used to or what suits your style. Should you always use one? Even while seated? Yes if it works for you better that way. The more you play, the better you'll understand the pros and cons and what suits your technique. I would never discourage someone from doing what feels right when it comes to making the mandolin feel secure in your hands. I find that a strap is too distracting and doesn't work for me, so I've only used one once, and that was when I was pretending to be a strolling minstrel during a play and needed my hands for other things. I started out as a bowlback player, and straps are seldom a thing for bowlbacks, and never changed. YMMV
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1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
1952 Strad-o-lin
1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
2011 Eastman MD305
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