The right piano stool doesn't just complete the look of the upright acoustic or digital piano in your living room, but is far more comfortable than a dining chair and makes sure you're sitting at the height and with the right posture - especially because you can adjust the height.
The Difference Between Piano Benches & Stools
While it's understandable that piano stools are often referred to as piano benches and vice versa, piano stools always have a round seat mounted on a central support that can usually be shifted up or down to adjust the height, making them ideal for any pianist, no matter their height. So, the height of a stool can easily be adjusted to match the height of a growing child. Piano benches, on the other hand, have a more fixed construction that doesn't always feature a height adjustment system. Piano benches have a longer, rectangular seat, so you have more room to shift or lean to the left or right, which can be more comfortable when reaching for the ends of the keyboard. The seat is usually thickly padded as well, and some benches even feature a little compartment beneath the seat where books and sheet music can be stored.
Why Adjust the Height of Piano Stools & Benches?
Playing the piano is always more comfortable and efficient when your forearms are in a horizontal position and your elbows and wrists are as aligned as possible. What you don't want is a hooked wrist - it's not comfortable and doesn't support a good playing posture. Setting your stool or bench to the right height can correct this. For more detailed info, see our blog Playing the Piano: Correct Posture & Hand Position.
Keyboard Stools & Benches
Often, keyboard stools and benches have a little less style to them than piano benches and stools, which makes sense because they're designed to be easily folded down and carried to rehearsals and gigs - much like a keyboard. Keyboard stools are great for gigging musicians on the road. We also have a complete range of other Musician's Chairs, Benches & Stools.
Seat Material
Because it's so durable and resistant to wear, leather is a really popular material for stool seats. But you can also get faux-leather seats, or soft velour seats. No matter what the seat has been covered with, it will always be padded so it remains comfy during long playing sessions.
Piano Benches for Quatre-Mains
Quatre-mains, or 'playing with four hands' is a poetic way of describing two pianists playing one piano. Of course, you could simply place two normal stools next to each other to play quatre-mains, or use a piano bench that's been designed for two people. Two children and maybe a child and adult can get away with sharing a standard piano bench, but since you need room to move and play, two adults might have a harder time of it, so you can get extra-long piano benches that are essentially two benches in one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Piano Stools
How high should a piano stool be?
The height of a piano stool depends on the height of the pianist. The point of using a purpose-designed piano stool is that it can be adjusted to make sure that you're seated at the perfect playing height, where your forearms are horizontal to the keyboard.
What's the best piano stool?
Always read the specifications of any piano stool your considering to check the minimum and maximum height. You basically need to be sure that the stool can be set a height that puts you in the perfect playing position.
How much does a piano stool cost?
For £50 to £100 you can easily pick up a really comfortable and even beautiful piano stool or bench. In general, the more expensive the stool or bench, the higher the quality of the construction, materials and look.
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