Posture while playing

[thalberg]

...

[counterpoint]

I sit straight too, but I have no problem with pianists, who play with arched back. Why should it be bad?

On the other side, an extreme stiff spinal column could be much worse than an arched back.

[southsweden]

Thalberg, this is very interesting: I was at Tengstrand's Master Class at the Helsingborgs Piano Festival (in Sweden) last year, and he talked endlessly to all students about sitting straight! He said he knew it was tempting to try to control things by leaning forward, but that it will only limit your pianistic abilities...AND, he mentioned that he had been playing "with the nose in the keyboard" himself, and it takes a long time to get away from. At his recital, he was playing with a very different posture than in the youtube video (which is from a few years ago, I see). So, my guess he's with you on this one!

[thalberg]

Thalberg, this is very interesting: I was at Tengstrand's Master Class at the Helsingborgs Piano Festival (in Sweden) last year, and he talked endlessly to all students about sitting straight! He said he knew it was tempting to try to control things by leaning forward, but that it will only limit your pianistic abilities...AND, he mentioned that he had been playing "with the nose in the keyboard" himself, and it takes a long time to get away from. At his recital, he was playing with a very different posture than in the youtube video (which is from a few years ago, I see). So, my guess he's with you on this one!

LOL!!!!  That's incredible.  Thanks for the information!

[rc]

On the other side, an extreme stiff spinal column could be much worse than an arched back.

A lot of people who are trying to 'straighten the back' wind up going too far.

What helped for me was meditating sitting in a chair, sitting still there for half an hour is a good practice in finding the right balance.  Right after that, I go to the piano and am incredibly relaxed and stable.

It makes sense to be as balanced as possible, otherwise you're constantly having to tense in some way to keep from falling over.

In 'What Every Pianist Should Know About the Body' they use the analogy of a pumpkin on the end of a broomstick (head and spine)...  Held straight up it's not a lot of effort, tilted just a few degrees it's significantly more effort.

[pianistimo]

for me, back strengthening exercises have been invaluable.  also, sitting in such a way that you do not feel tiredness - more forward on the bench - instead of completely covering it - and giving your arms room to relax when straight across playing - or straight down.  i was told early on - as well - never to scoot this way or that to reach high upper notes or lower bottom note s- but simply to lean one way or the other if necessary. this has held me in good stead because you feel grounded - once you sit.  you are not as moveable from a center position - but, can rotate different directions according to need.  could check the reliablility perhaps by completely lifting the feet off the floor and giving some sort of yelp as in 'great balls of fire.'  if you can do that and then play a complete glissando from the bottom of the piano to the top - you are fit.

moving in a relaxed manner according to what the music requires gives your back some flexibility whilst playing.  no 'stiffness' should be there, right?!  unless you're playing some kind of bach suite and it stays in the center of the keyboard.  even then, complete 'stiffness' is not really required as much as muscle stamina and proper spinal alignment. 

after a couple of hours - i used to rest my lower back on a pillow between myself and the back of a chair.  or just use the back of the chair - but it's not ideal for entire practice session.  actually, cycling has helped get rid of this altogether - as i think the center of the body needs a lot of strength anyways.  both the spine and the stomach.  to be able to naturally do that little pelvic tilt and keep the back fairly straight when standing - and a bit curved when sitting.

doesn't it feel good to take a break and then just lie completely flat on the floor and 'rest' with knees up?  i think i hear my back say 'ahh.'  perhaps this is what students need if they practice more than a few hours.  sticking one's neck out when playing - or putting the head forward can start messing up the back.  better to center the head and lean back or forward altogether.