Your little keikis on the piano bench

[m1469]

I am going to be purchasing a new artist bench for two reasons :

1.  My teaching; so I have a bench that is adjustable for each person's individual size (especailly the little ones).

2.  My own practice.


My piano is 29 inches from the floor to the top of the piano keys (and I believe this might actually be a little higher than any Steinway that I have played on, and possible most others) and 24.5 inches from the floor to the bottom of the piano.  

I feel quite comfortable with my current (non-adjustable) bench height of 18 inches (plus a small cushion that is on the bench), however, this is too low for almost everybody else (especially the little ones).  It's about 10-10.5 inches from the top of the bench to my elbow (which is parallel with the top of the keys).

A standard artist bench adjusts from 18"-21" and I am wondering if this top height would be appropriate for my smallest students or if they might need something even higher ?  At its highest, there would still be a difference of 8 inches from the top of the bench to the top of the piano keys.  I can have 1-2 inches more put on the bench legs, however, that would mean a minimum of 19 inches (which might be too tall for me) and a maximum of 23 inches, which might not work still for my students.  I don't know.

I am getting myself confused with all of this.  Does anybody have experience seating your kids at the piano with a standard adjustable bench ?


The question is : Do you think a standard adjustable bench would work for all of us ?


Thanks,
m1469

[Bob]

Topic: what bench do you sit on
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,10782.0.html

Topic: Adjustable concert benches
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,79.0.html

Topic: Bench Height
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,8263.0.html

[pianistimo]

i now have an adjustable bench, too, but it wobbles when it is at the higher settings.  when you go and look at benches - maybe a good thing would be to get the higher level - so when it is adjusted it is still relatively stable? 

[quantum]

There is a simple solution I saw somewhere.  Maybe it was on pianoworld.  Get two pieces of 2 x 4 lumber and stick them under the legs.  Easily done, easily undone.  If you are handy with a drill you could notch out a bit of the lumber so the legs have a stable place they won't fall out of. 

[m1469]

Thanks.  I have decided that I will go ahead and just get the bench that works for me personally.  And, I will indeed put something under the legs if it needs to be higher.  I am not sure why I make things so complicated sometimes  .


Thanks,
m1469