Ideal Distance From Front Edge of Keys to Music Rest

[ohhenry97]

Hello,
With much sadness i am moving from a real upright piano to a portable/stage digital, due to a right sizing house move.
So after much searching I have settled (almost purchased) on the Kawai ES8, as it has good keyboard reviews and more than enough voices for me.
The problem is i am very space limited in my modest den (man cave) so i am going to have made a bespoke piece of furniture to house the ES8 in the style of an upright piano.
Question is: is there and ideal distance from the front edge of the keys to the music rest please? (Best distance for adult sheet music reading)
Many thanks

[compline]

The distance from the edge of my keys to the reading rest on  piano is just 13 inches.  I  wear glasses for reading music, which is fine for me.  My stool is not too far  back.   
How did you manage with your upright piano? 

[volcanoadam]

On both my upright and my DP the music stands are low, some 5 inches above keyboard. In both instanced i had to lift them, because it caused pain in my neck and upper back. The custom stand on my upright measures 12 inches above the keyboard and it works well for me.

[quantum]

Hi and welcome to Pianostreet,

The most comfortable position for me is when the music desk is at eye level, such that I do not have to angle my head up or down in order to read.  Grand pianos tend to position the music desk in such a way.  When playing a digital piano, I will often remove the built in music desk in favour of a music stand to which I can raise to the appropriate level.  Vertical pianos are less flexible in the positioning of the music desk, with some placing the desk unreasonably close to the keys. 

Distance from the music can be a personal preference.  Some people like it near their face, other people like to push the desk back so it is far. 

[timothy42b]

Vertical pianos are less flexible in the positioning of the music desk, with some placing the desk unreasonably close to the keys. 

and then there are pipe organs, where the desk is all but impossible to see, unless you have a pair of reversed bifocals made (with the near vision on top instead of bottom). 

[quantum]

and then there are pipe organs, where the desk is all but impossible to see, unless you have a pair of reversed bifocals made (with the near vision on top instead of bottom).

Completely understand.  Especially larger organs with 3 or more manuals that have you looking up at the music. 

[timothy42b]

Completely understand.  Especially larger organs with 3 or more manuals that have you looking up at the music.

I did play a bit of organ in various churches a while back.  Seemed like no two had the desk in the same place but all were hard to see.  I didn't actually play any with more than three manuals but I've seen them with six, wow.

And the weird part:  multiple manuals, you've got your neck craned back trying to see, and they've installed a light shining on the pedals.  That's not going to help.