Why don’t piano benches have backs? If you see pianists on stage performing, you’ll notice that their benches rarely have a backrest on them. So, why is that? Is it really just a design, or is there a reason that lingers behind the background? We are now going to find out why there are more piano benches that do not have a backrest compared to the ones that have one.
Why You Shouldn’t Use A Chair
If you are a novice pianist that is thinking of using a chair rather than a piano bench, think again. If you think that the backrest of a chair would do more to help alleviate the fatigue that comes with long periods of sitting while playing the piano, then you are wrong. Although the backrest on chairs allows you to lean on them to rest your back, as a pianist, this would be a very bad idea for you.
Using chairs, especially with those that have a backrest on them, would create bad posture and maybe improper balance on your body, resulting in you not being able to play the piano aggressively or calmly. Most chairs also lack the width that comes with a piano bench, making it more difficult for novice students and children to play the piano the right way.
Although a piano bench is not necessary for playing this musical instrument; however, if you are planning to get serious and trying to make it possible as a career, it is highly recommended that you use a piano bench, even when you are practicing or studying. Sitting on other things could compromise your speed, accuracy, and balance, resulting in slower development compared to other people learning the trade.
So, why do most piano benches not have a backrest? There is a reason for that. If you also notice it has no arms to rest on and has little padding, then the true reason for it is that they are designed for you to sit forward and be able to move your arms freely. It will also give you the ability to adjust your hands from one end of the piano to another.
Why Should Go For A Piano Bench
So, why should you go for a piano bench and not use a chair? The first thing is that it has no backrest for you to lean on. Although there are some piano benches that have a backrest, they are very expensive. It is also important, especially if you are a novice pianist, that you will be able to develop a proper playing posture, and using a chair with a backrest on it won’t help you be able to create that.
Standard piano benches are also designed to support your back and your weight, so if you still feel some pain after a short time of playing the piano, then there is really a problem with your posture.
Piano benches are also wider compared to regular chairs, and this is by design. Although casual adults will have no problem adjusting to playing while sitting on a chair, for those children and those who are serious about learning to play the instrument, using a piano bench to sit on will help them learn how to shift and lean to take advantage of the leverage that you get from using a proper one.
With piano benches, most of them are also adjustable to make your playing experience more comfortable and better. Although not all of the benches have that feature, there are more that have that option, so you should check it out before buying one. There are also some piano benches that have storage in them, which is a nice additional feature, especially if you have many papers that you want to hide or store.
There are also some piano benches that are less expensive compared to chairs, so although it is a surprising fact if you just give the time to find the best and cheapest piano bench that there is, then you will really be able to save up with it. Lastly, most piano benches are portable and can be easy to bring anywhere you have to go.
Developing The Proper Playing Posture
Neck And Back Must Be Aligned All The Time
When it comes to developing a proper posture to be able to play the piano for longer periods is to keep your neck and back aligned all the time. Having a backrest on your piano bench won’t allow you to do that, as you may probably be going to rest your neck by leaning on your backrest, which is not a good idea. There is also a high possibility of you slouching. This is why having a backrest is never a good idea, especially if you are a novice pianist.
Always Keep Your Shoulders Down And Relaxed
The next thing you should develop is to always keep your shoulders down and relaxed. You always put them in a natural position and not rounded or raised. With this, you should be able to control the weight that you exert on the piano to be able to play better. So, always keep your shoulders low and untensed.
Sit Upright
As you constantly sit upright, you also maintain the natural curvature of your spine. This is very important, as you reduce the stress that is placed upon your back, which could result in spinal injuries if no solution is taken. This will allow you to be able to play longer, as you won’t feel the pain of sitting for a long time as much as before.
Keep Your Elbows Far Away From Your Body
Your elbows should be placed around the keyboard level, such that your forearms are close to parallel to the ground. Your elbows also should not be touching your ribcage or positioned outwards like a bird flapping its wings. When your elbows are not in the proper position, you are putting a great strain on them, resulting in your movement being limited by pain.
Your Knees Must Be At A Right Distance From The Piano
When playing the piano, your knees must always be in a comfortable position to allow you to reach the keys and pedals of the piano. If your knees are too far from the piano, it causes too much tension in your body, limiting your movement and making it very uncomfortable to play the instrument. If your knees are also too close, your legs will be bent inward, making it hard for you to control the pedals on your piano.
Always Train Your Wrists To Be Flexible
The last thing to remember when playing the piano is to keep your wrists flexible. Always maintain your wrists placed above the keys level, and avoid locking your wrists in place, where you just let all your fingers do the work, as this can be very tiresome to your hands. Being able to keep your wrists flexible will help you achieve a richer and fuller sound.
So, why don’t piano benches have backs? Having a backrest on your piano bench won’t help you be able to develop the proper posture in playing the piano, which will help you be able to play longer.
