A chair can be used instead of a piano bench however, some chairs may create bad playing posture or improper balance that will hinder you from playing aggressively or lightly. A chair also lacks the width of a piano bench making playing the far ends of the piano difficult, especially for children.
Piano Benches vs Piano Stools
Conventionally, piano benches are longer, as they are usually used for duetting, and are a little heavier and bigger than stools. Ultimately however the difference is more of a stylistic choice, so for the purposes of today, we will be using the two terms interchangeably.
The more comfortable you are, the more you'll practice; the more you practice, the faster you'll progress in your playing. A well-designed bench allows for ease of movement. The right bench height fosters good posture habits and, in turn, good technique.
There is a reason why piano benches do not have backs. Sliding forward, so that the legs are completely free and not necessary to stabilize the torso is very important for piano playing. Office chairs are not good for this, because they are not level.
piano stool (plural piano stools)
A piano bench is something you use and learn how to sit properly at the piano, and by doing so it forms an essential part of every pianist's technique. It is a very important, overlooked aspect of your playing.
Pianists usually sit at the edge of the piano bench to allow their legs to comfortably use the pedals. Sitting at the edge of the piano bench depending on the height of person you are cuts off the blood circulation to one or both of your legs. That is what happens when you feel your legs go numb or fall asleep.
However, often a giveaway piano is given away because it hasn't been played in years or the owner knows that it is need of some repairs and is not interested in putting any money into it.
A chair can be used instead of a piano bench however, some chairs may create bad playing posture or improper balance that will hinder you from playing aggressively or lightly. A chair also lacks the width of a piano bench making playing the far ends of the piano difficult, especially for children.
While sitting at the piano the bench should be high enough so that the arms will rest comfortably on the keys. The arms should be relaxed and about horizontal with the floor. The wrist should be slightly bent lower that the knuckles but with out resting on the key slip in front of the keys.
There are countless piano benches made with different materials and serve different purposes. This means that there isn't a universal weight capacity. A quality piano bench can handle up to 400 pounds. Some piano benches are designed to be portable, while others are created to seat two people.
Sit toward the front half of the bench. Relax your feet and keep them flat on the ground from heel to toe. Keep your weight centered on your buttocks. Relax your shoulders and arms, keep your back straight, and sit so that you can smoothly move everything up to your fingertips.
Stools are better than chairs for improved posture
Those who do often end up adopting poor posture and after long hours begin to experience lower back pain. There are several reasons why stools are a better option for improved posture when compared with office chairs.
Most piano teachers recommend practicing anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours daily. To facilitate this, consider making a schedule for when you'll play and for how long. You may find that some days you may be able to dedicate more time than others.
The amount of time you spend practicing will fluctuate based on your skill level, as well as how quickly you want to improve. In general, spending 45 minutes to an hour every day is a sufficient amount of time to improve your piano skills.
Pianists should practice between 30 minutes to 4 hours per day. Beginners will benefit most from shorter practice sessions while advanced pianists will be more accustomed to longer days. Each practice session can be split into segments to help avoid physical and mental fatigue.
Curving your fingers when playing the piano allows your hands to be flexible enough to rotate in the direction that you are playing. This is beneficial because it allows you to play with more freedom and less tension.
If you get backache after playing or practicing the piano for a while, you may be sitting improperly. You are probably holding your upper body mostly by your lower back muscle. So, I recommend doing these things: Sit at the front edge of the piano bench, not in the middle or back.
Do pianists look at the keys while they play? The short answer to that last question is: YES! It's perfectly acceptable and normal for a pianist to look at their hands while they play. An important part of the design of any musical instrument is the necessary range of movement for the player in order to produce sound.
Benches offer much more than welcome respite for tired legs. They also offer the opportunity for participation, social connection, and a shared sense of belonging in public spaces. Benches are a social resource, allowing people to observe, participate in, and belong to the local streetscape.
It is not a piano-related injury as such, but it can be exacerbated by high-intensity wear and tear (overuse) of joints in professional pianists who practise intensely. Moderate piano playing, however, is often recommended as a healthy, therapeutic activity which keeps the joints supple.
The bench at the end of your bed is a great place to sit and rest. It's also a good place to sit when putting on your shoes, socks and jacket. If you have a large bed and are looking for extra seating, look no further. A bench at the foot of your bed provides extra seating for guests, children and parents alike.