hunched shoulders, weight regulation, stool height etc.

[nyiregyhazi]

Just written an article covering aspects of all of these issues. In particular, there's an exercise that illustrates how to improve regulation of the arm's weight, without resorting to raised shoulders. Any views would be welcome.

https://pianoscience.blogspot.com/2011/04/hunched-shoulders-why-do-they-really.html

[thalbergmad]

Stool height is something of interest to me. I must have changed how high I sit about 10 times over the last 30 years. I never seem to be completely comfortable.

My last teacher made me change it as he said I sat too high and it took me ages to get used to the new position. I generally still sit rather high, not because it is especially comfortable, but because i like a more plan view of the keys.

Strangely, the more difficult the piece I am playing, the higher I like to sit.

Thal

[nyiregyhazi]

Stool height is something of interest to me. I must have changed how high I sit about 10 times over the last 30 years. I never seem to be completely comfortable.

My last teacher made me change it as he said I sat too high and it took me ages to get used to the new position. I generally still sit rather high, not because it is especially comfortable, but because i like a more plan view of the keys.

Strangely, the more difficult the piece I am playing, the higher I like to sit.

Thal

This goes against what a lot of people say, but personally I think it's very useful to practise at a variety of different heights. I personally favour a lower stool as my normal position, but I sometimes like to sit extremely high to the point where my fingers' natural action would be more towards me than down into the key. However, rather than slip across the keys, I try to feel the arm responding around a consistent point of contact on the key. I think it's a very useful way of practising the arm's response to the finger- which is what serves to prevent impact at the keybed. From a lower stool, it's easy to jam in hard, if you don't develop this response. For a long time, I couldn't understand how people could use their fingers to act much at all while sitting high. You have to get the balance just right to avoid sliding off the surfaces,

[fleetfingers]

I have never owned an adjustable bench and have always sat at the same height, which is whatever is standard for a piano bench that comes with the piano. My arms are pretty much level with the keys; maybe the elbows are slightly dropped. What I cannot stand is when I have to play on a piano or DP while sitting on a chair. I am too low when sitting in a chair and can't see the keys the way I want to. Not to mention the angle of my arms - I don't understand how people can play like that. It makes me feel like I have no control.

From the position in which I sit, I have never hunched my shoulders nor had problems with them being sore or fatigued. They are always relaxed when I play and quite comfortable.

[thalbergmad]

I have never owned an adjustable bench

Maybe that is the solution to my problem

Now I have to search for a non adjustable saddle for my bike.

Thal

[richard black]

No worries, Thal, just bring that bike over here some time and I'll run a cross-pin into the saddle stem and frame for you - that'll fix it! (of course I'll take care to randomise the position before I do it).

I'm a great believer in sitting really, really low at the piano. I got to be that way not least out of comfort considerations, but I also feel I have better control by pulling the keys down rather than pushing, which obviously is more the way the lower one is. I do think that sitting very high leads to all sorts of strange and unnecessary postural contortions, but I wouldn't expect everyone to go to my lengths.

[nyiregyhazi]

No worries, Thal, just bring that bike over here some time and I'll run a cross-pin into the saddle stem and frame for you - that'll fix it! (of course I'll take care to randomise the position before I do it).

I'm a great believer in sitting really, really low at the piano. I got to be that way not least out of comfort considerations, but I also feel I have better control by pulling the keys down rather than pushing, which obviously is more the way the lower one is.

I mostly agree- but you can still pull when sitting high. I think many pianists who sit high do resort to prodding at the keyboard (usually with awful tone), but it's not entirely necessary to do it. I couldn't understand at all how people could play with a high elbow for ages. It seemed just too indirect for the fingers to be involved. However, the same pulling actions can be done very confidently and without slippage, if you get the arm in just the right state. I definitely prefer a level forearm or a slightly lower elbow. However, I've found it very useful to force myself to try to find a way of getting my fingers to work from a much higher position. It's definitely improved my regular playing from a lower stool.

[thalbergmad]

I'm a great believer in sitting really, really low at the piano.

I have tried this and it was very comfortable for me, but I simply did not like that particular view of the keys. In addition, I find it easier sitting higher to produce a bit of power when required, as I can use my not inconsiderable weight.

I am a natural fidget which is a bit of a problem and perhaps I should get a fixed stool. My stool has been up and down like a yoyo and I have already broken two.

Thal