Setting the Right Height - Piano Sitting Posture

[@SuperFS11]

Thank you! I’m 58 y.o. And trying to teach myself (again) piano. This video was very helpful. I’m waiting until I can get a piano teacher (once COVID is over...)

[@topmusicco]

Good luck and thank you!

[@shsu7426]

Thanks for this detailed tutorial on sitting position at the piano!

[@kmimiteh]

I am a beginner, and I am learning from internet tutorials, and is being hard for me to find the right position. Thanks, your video is probably the most helpful that I have found around! :)

[@XJokermanX]

I'm learning the same way and I'm actually doing really really well

[@danielmeb84]

how far in are you into your piano journey@@XJokermanX

[@XJokermanX]

@@danielmeb84 I can play Sleeping lotus by joep beving Compitunr du autre (amile) summat like that Minecraft wet hands I've been slacking lately, not playing much, but I'm gonna start learning some Christmas songs

[@Mackinstyle]

Thanks for this. At 35, I'm 1 year into learning piano as an adult and I'm still struggling pretty badly to find posture that doesn't make my back hurt after 5-10 minutes. I love _everything_ about piano practice except the pain. Once the pain is gone, this is going to be a wonderful hobby.

[@topmusicco]

There should definitely never be pain so I’d potentially get the help of an online teacher to assess that. Nothing about playing any instrument should ever hurt - except perhaps the tips of the fingers for new guitarists!

[@Mackinstyle]

@@topmusicco For sure. Thanks for the advice. Something I struggle a wee bit with is differentiating between "this is pain because something's wrong" and "this is soreness because you're exercising muscles in ways you never usually do." An "online" teacher is a good idea to review all of this.

[@hv2623]

I was looking forward to the fancy infographic. But thanks for the good video.

[@topmusicco]

🤣🤣🤣

[@rodneycoutts1742]

Great stuff Tim. Im a beginner in my 80s - yep, you heard right. I need this advice badly because I tried sitting right up the the keyboard but couldn't do because of my cross frame stand. You'd be a great teacher and its a pity your in Melbourne - whilst Im a Sydneyite

[@topmusicco]

Hey Rodney. Glad it helped and good on you for giving it a go!

[@CBalind]

For my young son I use an exercise 'step' under his feet to raise them. The height is adjustable, it is a great size and really sturdy, and has a gap underneath for the pedals to fit under. Available at Kmart / bigw etc for $18 and can be used for exercise too 😊

[@topmusicco]

Perfect!

[@floridaredneck]

Beginners don't read further. Your video is fascinating. I've been playing for years and I don't think I ever remember positioning the bench; I just sit down and play. I'll have to monitor that, but even if I sit at someone else's piano, I don't seem to need to move the bench. I guess my butt just conforms to wherever I happen to land (I'm 6', 155 lbs, so I'm not "cushioned"). I should say I'm used to performing, rather than just playing so I'm used to moving around. I played by ear for 25 years before I studied music, so if there was a bad habit learned, it ain't going nowhere. My teacher was wise enough to realize that, so he didn't push for change, except for critical ones like keyboard finger placement, which to me is more important than how I sit. But like I said, I'm going to notice that to see if I do it without being aware of it. I'll come back in shame if I do.

[@topmusicco]

Thanks for sharing that, Florida Redneck (nice name)

[@JalvinAJ]

Came to make a stand for my old keyboard Thank you young man for giving these scientific tips

[@topmusicco]

Pleasure.

[@Spandyne]

Thank you! I just bought a digital piano to relearn the piano and after 4 days my back is already screeching in pain. Turns out, a kitchen chair with a tower of pillows isn't a valid substitute for a real piano stool :)

[@topmusicco]

HAHA! Correct. Glad I could help>

[@quantumx9924]

Im 32 years old and learning to play the piano this video is great!

[@topmusicco]

Thanks!

[@margauxarmfield2561]

Moved my bench out and my back immediately felt better :) thank you!

[@topmusicco]

WIN!

[@the_emmo]

Thanks for the video, it was very thorough but concise. I'm buying a height adjustable seat instead of a fixed one. And I am one those who sits very back on the seat, just like a normal chair haha. But I will avoid that from now onwards. Thanks again!

[@topmusicco]

👍

[@LucBoeren]

For me my problem is the fixed nature of the piano itself, especially the pedals. I'm 6'4 with size 15 shoes. I'd really benefit from having the pedals further back. Luckily I can do this with stage pianos tho

[@angeloklin]

A beach or a bath towel also works quite well. It is still soft enough for long practice, does not slide and can be folded in different ways to achieve the right height. It can be opened to aerate and fluff up. It is what I use. Are you still taking adult students?

[@angeloklin]

Thanks for your reply. I hope the tip was/will be useful. No worries on the scheduling. Leaning to play the piano is for the long run so I might ask again in the future. For context, at 51 I went from zero to level 2/3ish using only Musiah. But now I need to go beyond it, so looking for a teacher. As a neighbour, I was hoping to match convenience and availability. Cheers

[@sol.slmnez]

Ok

[@jslonisch]

Lol. I will have to show this to my teacher. She has one non adjustable bench that everyone from little kids to 6 foot 6 giants sit at. (okay the littlest kids get an old squashed cushion about a cm thick).

[@topmusicco]

Hahaha yes might be a good investment

[@yanjunli7973]

I NEED THIS

[@judesantillan]

thanks for this man

[@topmusicco]

no prob

[@nuamathaweth8747]

You're awesome. Some day I'll come back to piano again.

[@topmusicco]

It will be waiting for you.

[@dreamylittleowl727]

Thank you, this helped me!! :)

[@topmusicco]

Cheers

[@email4468]

Hi, excellent video, not sure if you are still answering questions, however, I’m looking to learn piano. I’m in my 50’s and 6’4” . I went to look at purchasing a digital piano but noticed my knees didn’t go under the keyboard. I didn’t get much help in the shop. My question is, do your knees go under or is it mainly about posture and the angles you mentioned. Many thanks John

[@topmusicco]

Hi John. Yes your knees should go under the piano otherwise you’ll never be comfortable. Perhaps try raising the piano itself? You’ll also need something under your heels because the pedals may be too high if u do that.

[@99xara99]

I've been playing on a digital piano for the past 10 years and I upgraded to an acoustic upright few days ago! I haven't been thinking about posture for the past 9 years. But now, I'm struggling with back pain while playing. Also, the piano is on wheels, so the pedals are quite a bit higher up. I catch myself lifting my entire foot/leg while using the pedals. I can barely lift my foot high enough while resting my heel on the ground. Is that okay or should I force myself and stretch my feet more? I remember struggling with this back when I took lessons as a kid - but I sorta forgot about it since I never had that problem on my digital! Thank you.

[@topmusicco]

Sorry to hear about your back pain. I recommend putting some books under your heel so the pedal isn’t uncomfortably high. You can’t control it properly if your heel is in the air (much like driving a car) so get your heel planted on something :)

[@tammylaronde8593]

Thank you for this. My seat is at the highest and it's not high enough for me to be seated in the right position. I also have long arms so I've been having trouble getting my arms comfortable. My hands end up in an awkward position.

[@topmusicco]

Try adding some padding. Is the piano on high wheels? That can sometimes cause it to be too high. Re your arms, you’ll just need to sit further away than most people

[@famousatmidnight15]

Like a road bike in semi racing position - ie look at a Tour de France cyclist in the peloton mid stage

[@topmusicco]

Hadn't thought of that. I'm a road cyclist and racer too and I feel that cyclists are much more rotated forward generally.

[@donvarnadore4201]

@@topmusiccoHow many inches ftom your eyes to the music? Is it 23-24 inches?

[@artnelsoncreative]

I notice that your knees are not under the piano. I'm 6'2 and in an effort to not hurt my back, I move closer, but my knees are under the Nord Keyboard. This makes it difficult for me to use the pedals, and I am reaching up to play rather than the angle you suggest. Is it better for a tall person to sit further away, and just get to that position?

[@topmusicco]

Ideally knees should be under the keys. You may need to experiment with stand height or chair height.

[@chrystalthornton1502]

I wish you would address more on the upper body as related to the music stand. I have a Young Chang baby grand which puts the music up so high that my neck is completely crooked to see it. (I am a 5 ft tall lady who unfortunately will not grow to it.)

[@topmusicco]

Hrmmm you’re right - this isn’t something I normally consider as much. I wonder if there is an attachment to lower the music on the music rest? Does it happen on other grand pianos? Perhaps upright is a better option for you?

[@konikacariapa3289]

I wonder ...if we have sit-stand desks...maybe it makes a case for stand up piano playing. After a full day at the desk, sitting down again for practice is tiring.

[@topmusicco]

The problem is with the angle of the wrists unless you have the piano VERY high.

[@davidrockefeller2007]

I’m standing playing my p515 because I can’t sit for very long. My stand is a quick lock but even at the highest setting and me being 5,7 it’s still not as high as I would like.

[@AliBabbinz]

What bench did you use

[@wakeupuk3860]

Tim a very good video especially making allowance for the high 'costs' ie decent bench and of course such a video I understand is aimed at parents wanting their child to take up a piano, as an ex private tutor who has taught children in their home, I know exactly what you mean by the locations and places they have them sit including me to teach them. I have a different request , I am 69 years old, 6 foot 2 inches tall and have a Yamaha EZ-300 electric organ which is on a standard kitchen table and no way am I going pay £150 for a bench like yours until I know I am not going to give up. As such have put together a wooden one, which at the moment is far too high. So if you can how making one again for very tall people on a strict budget.

[@topmusicco]

Hi wake up Uk. You might find more value in a simple x-brace stool. I don’t normally recommend them but you’ll be able to explore a variety of heights which may help you build one that’s suits.

[@eusuntaceleusunt]

I am 40 ys old and just started learning piano less than a year ago from tutorials (because no teacher in my area would take me at my age).. I am playing on a yamaha keyboard and I am still not sure if I have set it at the right height as I have found rather conflicting information on the web..

[@topmusicco]

Did u try my suggestions? It should give you the height that’s best

[@zynthos9]

Is a slight forward lean standard advice or just your personal preference? And why does it make sense to have elbows in front of body rather than straight down from shoulder? Wouldn't this require shoulder muscles to work to hold arm in front rather than being relaxed at the side?

[@topmusicco]

The arm will hang from the shoulder even if slightly in front of the torso. The slightly forward lean is recommended as you get to more advanced repertoire and need to Centre your weight over the feet. For a start, don’t worry as much about that as getting the right height etc

[@deltafour1212]

What is the make of your digital piano? Looks like a mini grand

[@topmusicco]

That’s the Casio celviano grand hybrid piano. There is a review on my channel if you’re interested

[@aight365]

I am getting a desk for a digital piano. What hight should the digital piano sit on? Does it vary depending on the digital piano model?

[@deltafour1212]

From the floor to the top of the keys should be 28.5 inches

[@johnvargas761]

when I play the piano for more than 40 min my shoulders start to hurt, what should I do?

[@topmusicco]

Make sure you let your shoulders drop and relax as you play. Easy to keep them hitched up with tension. That’s the first thing. Also make sure your bench height is correct

[@inspirationtalent4416]

How much inches tall piano and stool should be used

[@topmusicco]

Adjustable is best. Fixed ones are all at a set height to suit the height of a piano and "average" adult.

[@tolueasalako]

Just recovering from a wrist injury due to poor posture, should the digital piano rest on your knees when you’re sitting or slightly above. I’m 5ft tall.

[@topmusicco]

Most likely above. Try and set the height of the digital at standard piano height. Just search for what that is :)

[@tolueasalako]

@@topmusicco Thank you x

[@rosichmusic]

glen gould... the body morfin

[@topmusicco]

Definitely the exception to the rule!

[@rosichmusic]

ith all due respect: they taught me to sit as you teach, and after many years it caused me a lot of back pain, I think that all bodies are different, and they should conform to the position that makes them feel good, there is no rule For that. the student must find out what his best position is :)

[@topmusicco]

@@rosichmusic I can respect that. There are many concert pianists who feel the same as you do. I can remember one who only prefers sitting in a low chair on stage, due to his back.

[@poly_hexamethyl]

Too bad Glenn Gould is no longer with us, or we could have asked him his opinion of this. 🤣

[@topmusicco]

indeed!

[@felixjesena6811]

posture do not make sense just play the music as it is your last

[@topmusicco]

Posture is vital, Wolfgang 😎