30 April 2018 Purchasing The Right Piano Bench For You  

Purchasing The Right Piano Bench For You  

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When you start playing the piano for the first time, lessons are important. A good instructor will help you understand all aspects of making music, from learning the notes to discovering rhythms. 

But as you continue, you’ll quickly discover something else that is equally as important: piano posture and ergonomics. 

If you practice 30 to 60 minutes per day, you may not feel the effects of sitting incorrectly … right away. But as you progress, especially if your goal is to become very good at the piano, sitting incorrectly can impact everything from the way you feel to the way you play. Purchasing The Right Piano Bench For You  

It’s common for professionals to play 5 hours or more a day. 

And once injuries and bad habits set in, it can be difficult to correct the problem down the road. 

This is where comfortable, height-adjustable piano benches help. 

In general, you will find piano benches come in three levels:

1. Adjustable and foldable – they are inexpensive and allow you to set up and play comfortably anywhere you choose.

2. Portable but sturdier – these are often used with professional arranger or on stage. 

3. Static – benches designed for in home use, to be kept with the piano. These are your bulkiest, yet most elegant piano benches on the market. 

And in most cases, you’ll find the most popular styles to be:

  • Adjustable piano bench
  • Duet or double piano bench
  • Bench with storage
  • Piano stool
  • Keyboard throne

When evaluating any piano bench, be sure to evaluate the quality of the seat and the build of the overall product. Height and structure are important depending on the player. For younger students, be sure to get adjustable height for when they grow. 

They are available in many colors and styles. You can find them made from fabric to leather and everything in between. You can find them with storage options and without. 

Ultimately, it depends on your personality and your needs. 

What do you prefer in a piano bench?

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7 August 2016 Do You Have The Correct Piano Playing Posture?

Do You Have The Correct Piano Playing Posture?

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Playing the piano means plopping down in any direction and gliding your fingers over the keys.

Or does it?

In reality, playing the piano effectively also means having a correct piano playing posture. Try it without and you’ll quickly feel the results in your shoulders, arms, and fingers.Do You Have The Correct Piano Playing Posture?

But what does it mean to have a correct piano playing posture? It starts with four things:

1. The piano bench
It’s not as easy as dragging any old chair in front of the piano in order to play. A piano bench should put you at proper height to play. Make sure your elbows are aligned with the keyboard. Don’t sit too far or too close – avoid the uncomfortable backward pointing elbows. And move the bench, so you’re sitting on the edge; this one act helps provide you with a better posture from the beginning.

2. Your back
Sitting hunched over or slouching will allow the energy to die within. Instead, keep your back straight and well aligned. It’s not only good for playing the piano, but it’s also good for your overall health.

3. Your legs and feet
Never place your feet under the piano bench or cross them at the ankles while playing. You need stability while playing. Keep your feet near the pedals and flat on the floor, which will keep your overall body structure well grounded.

4. Your arms
Always, always avoid tension. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Your arms should be relaxed. Your shoulders should be down, with your elbows a comfortable distance from the body. Wrists should be flexible and relaxed. Hands and fingers should also be well rounded and able to move comfortably from key to key.

Do you have the correct piano playing posture while you play? If not, it may be time for a new piano bench.

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4 October 2014 What You Should Know About Piano Benches

What You Should Know About Piano Benches

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Today’s piano benches come in hundreds of styles with a variety of legs, wood finishes and fine fabrics. If you are in the market for a new piano bench, here are a few things that can help you select the right one for your piano and for your playing style.

Grand Piano Bench vs Upright Piano BenchWhat You Should Know About Piano Benches

A grand piano bench (sometimes called a duet bench) is generally between 33 and 36 inches wide. This size bench is proportionate to the width of a grand piano or a full upright, and is perfect if you would like two people playing side by side (hence the name duet bench). Many come as adjustable so they are perfect for growing children or for people that practice for long periods of time and like adjustment every once in a while.

An upright piano bench is generally 30 inches wide and is used with all sizes of upright pianos.

In many cases, people will attempt to save money and choose an upright piano bench to go along with their grand piano; you won’t be happy. Each comes at specific heights designed for the appropriate piano. You will likely be sitting in the wrong position, and it may look out of place when compared to the piano.

Both come either with a wood top or with an upholstered top. The choice is yours – both offer comfort and style, it just depends on your décor and the type of look you are trying to achieve.

Grand pianos offer a third type of bench: the adjustable artist piano bench that offers comfort, durability and appearance. The height is adjustable, meaning you can dial in your desired height for the most comfortable use. These benches come in three sizes: the 21 to 22 inches long standard, the 32 to 33 inches long duet, or the petite, which is the length of a standard, but not as deep, running 13 inches wide as opposed to the 16 or 17 inches of a standard or duet.

What Should You Know About Purchasing A Piano Bench?

There is no true indication of a right or wrong, good or bad piano bench. Piano benches are personal choices, and you can find lovers and haters of almost every piano bench ever made.

However, keep in mind that piano bench manufacturers are finite in nature, meaning only a select few manufacturers make piano benches; its not a mainstream piece of furniture you’ll buy for your home. While some discount retailers may try and get you to buy a bench based on price alone, a lot of factors go into choosing the right bench for you. You must take into account the size of your piano, how you prefer to play, whether your child is still growing, and your individual needs.

The best way to choose the right piano bench is to give it a try first. Stop by and give them a try. Sit on several benches at a piano of similar height to yours at home. You’ll quickly see the difference and determine the right bench for your needs.

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27 February 2014 Piano Accessories

Piano Accessories

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Ready to invest in a piano and begin to make beautiful music within your home? Pianos can add music, style and ambiance for years to come.

But investing in a good piano doesn’t stop at selecting a great piano. There are many other things that go into the selection process, and ultimately the proper technique of piano playing once you settle in to a routine.Piano Accessories

Piano Bench

To play the piano properly, you’ll need more than your average chair. Proper playing involves being at the proper height and having proper access to the keys from your shoulders and your wrists. If you aren’t comfortable playing, you could cause stress and injury to your arms, neck and back, and ultimately lose interest in playing. A good piano bench offers you all the tools you need for proper sitting at the instrument.

Sheet Music

Sheet music comes in a variety of formats. Chat with your piano dealer at the time of purchase about options in finding sheet music. You can start with books at all levels of playing. Then migrate into preferred music choices – virtually all types and sounds of music today can be found in sheet music. The more you enjoy what you play, the more you’ll play.

Piano Lamps

Piano lamps come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and styles. Some styles allow you to clip the lamp directly to the music desk to have directional light where you need it most. Some piano lamps are shelf designed, sitting on top of the piano and allowing light to fall naturally over the music and the keys. Still others are vertical floor lamps that allow you to move them in to a convenient height and location for the person playing the piano. Whatever your desire, whatever your preference, there’s a perfect lamp for you.

Metronome

A metronome is a practice tool that produces steady beats that help a piano player learn rhythm accurately. Most metronomes are capable of producing beats from 35 to 250 beats per minute, giving you full function for any song you choose to learn and play. Metronomes come in all formats, from online to free standing.

Have even more needs? Talk with us about making your piano playing experience the best it can be. With decades of experience in the industry, we have offered lots of advice, and will be happy to make your experience all it can be as well.

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11 January 2014 Why A Piano Bench Matters To Your Piano Playing

Why A Piano Bench Matters To Your Piano Playing

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A piano can be a rather large investment.  Between the purchase, moving costs, and tuning charges; the size of your financial investment can quickly grow.  With all these costs, you may consider waiting to purchase a bench.  This, however, would be a detrimental decision.  A piano bench is actually very important to your piano playing.

Why A Piano Bench Matters To Your Piano PlayingA piano bench is vital for proper form.  We are all aware of the discussions revolving ergonomic work stations for computer usage.  Studies show if you frequently use a computer without the proper support you could suffer physically.  The same is true with a piano bench.  A bench (situated properly) will provide the proper alignment of core, arms, hands and piano for the most ergonomic playing position.

A piano bench helps with stamina.  If you have ever attempted to play the piano standing, you know it requires a great deal more effort than playing sitting.  Having a bench allows you to save your energy and channel it into playing rather than position.

A piano bench aids the psyche in committing to your task.  Anyone can walk by a piano and play a few notes as they pass.  You may even pause for a moment to work through a measure or two before you continue on your way.  However, if you pull out a bench and sit down, you are mentally preparing yourself for a longer session.

A piano bench helps you take piano more seriously.  Sitting at a piano bench helps get your mind and body in gear for what you are about to do.  Proper form and psychological prep allow you to get in the mindset of playing piano.  While this isn’t enough to make you Chopin, it will definitely help you be able to set your mind to the task at hand.  This in turn can help you make greater progress than a more nonchalant approach to playing.

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