How far to sit away from the piano?

[bernadette60614]

I have always sat so that my hands are not visible to me while I practice.

However, I am learning more complex music...requiring more of a range up and down the keyboard...so I've been sitting further back.

I've been noting that as a piece develops sitting further back allows me to visually memorize a piece by seeing the position of my hands.

Thanks for any feedback!

[iansinclair]

The flip answer is "where it's comfortable".  Which is no help at all.  I usually sit far enough back (or forward... whatever) so that my elbows are slightly open from a right angle when my hands are resting comfortably on a middle C major chord.  That is, I might make my elbows a right angle, and then slide back an inch or two.  That gives me enough room -- without undue exercise, which I dislike -- to move both hands pretty well anywhere up and down the keyboard.

But that's me.  Others may have other opinions...

[brogers70]

As far away as I can and still reach the keys? Well, not quite that far, but I find that sitting too close makes me tense and forces me to use my wrists and fingers more than I should. Sitting farther back lets me relax the wrists and use my arms more freely. Also, sitting back lets me see both hands even when they are prety far apart, and that is sometimes helpful.

[birba]

I have always sat so that my hands are not visible to me while I practise.

[outin]

I assumed she meant without looking down at them.
The other option would be backwards...

[birba]

Or so low she only sees the back of her wrists...