How to sit?!

[lil_wei]

Dear all,

  I was taught to sit on the front-half of the seat when playing piano. One of my students came asking me about it, claiming that her aunt, who is a teacher too, saying that we should occupy the whole seat. I'm confused now. Any help?

  Thanks.

[lagin]

Well, I personally tend to sit on the front half because when you get into more advanced repertoire, if you are a small person, you need to brace yourself against the floor and lean into the chords to reach the level of sound some pieces require, but I don't know if there is a "right" way or not.  For sure, they're feet should be flat on the floor if possible, which for younger kids, does mean staying forward. 

[princess_moose]

When I am playing properly I sit on the front bit, and make sure I am not too close to the piano and sit upright.

[cjp_piano]

You tend to be more alert and active when you sit on the edge of the bench. 

[faulty_damper]

Dear all,

  I was taught to sit on the front-half of the seat when playing piano. One of my students came asking me about it, claiming that her aunt, who is a teacher too, saying that we should occupy the whole seat. I'm confused now. Any help?

  Thanks.

A piano bench is not a chair, it is a bench.

 Occupying the bench places the distribution of weight on the buttocks and the thighs.  This has serious consequences as to posture because to balance the upper body, one naturally slumps over and it is much more difficult to sit up.

 If, however, the buttocks is the part that makes contact with the bench, it is much easier to sit up as it distributes weight to the legs.

[joyfulmusic]

I tell my students to sit on the front half.  While they are establishing habits it is good to get used to the right position.  I demonstrate to them a little why they will need it later such as playgin Warsaw Concerto.  I have a seven year old who tends to want to sit back and seems to almost fold in half to play leaning over.  I recommend a good chiropractor to stop bad posture and weak muscles from being developed.

[pekko]

I recommend a good chiropractor to stop bad posture and weak muscles from being developed.

Why?

[Derek]

I'd say sit near the front half of the bench and make sure you're not crowded near the keyboard either. your elbow should be bent at a 90 degree angle and your knees should be below your waist.  Your back shouldn't be pulled up really straight & high....you should be relaxed but not slouched.   I used to hold my torso really high and I had lower back pain for a while,  now the only pain I get is simply fatigue from playing really long which is much easier to deal with.

[g_s_223]

I raised a similar question before: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,18172.0.html

Check out the link to Bernhard's discussion at the end of that thread.

I now sit pretty much right at the front of the stool, and find it fine once you get used to it.