How to sit properly at the piano

We're back with another blog, and this time it's on a topic that is not very widely discussed: piano posture.

This may seem quite insignificant to some, but having the right posture while playing the piano is extremely important, and no, it's not just about the aesthetics of it. There's a deeper reason as to why any pianist should ideally have the right posture when sitting at the piano.

We are going to delve into this topic by first explaining why it is so important to have the correct posture, what seating should be chosen to help with this, and finally, how to have the right posture.

Even if you're not a complete novice at the piano, this might just help you!

Why does having a proper posture matter?

One of the first steps before playing a single key on the piano is to make sure that your sitting position is correct.

One of the reasons having the right posture at the piano matters is because it allows flexibility. As a pianist, there are multiple keys that you may need to reach while playing, and flexibility plays a huge role in making sure that your movements are seamless. When your body is positioned correctly, your fingers can tackle different chord progressions and complex motions with agility and more importantly, precision.

Slumping at the piano is not the best idea and may cause physical discomfort and even back pain or wrist injuries in the long run. Having proper posture helps to evenly distribute your weight across your body to reduce strain on a particular part of the body and build stamina and endurance while playing.

Having a good posture also helps you express yourself. Music is something that has the power to bring people together and convey powerful emotions that mere words may fail. Maintaining a good posture will not only facilitate emotions flowing through your performance, but also make your presence known on stage. With regulated breathing your energy levels are enhanced giving you more confidence while performing.

What is the right seat for the piano?

Choosing the correct seat for the piano is an important step in nailing your posture. You don't want to be below the piano and not reach the keys easily, nor do you want to be too high up and not play the keys with the right force.

Whatever seat you're using, make sure that it is stationary and doesn't keep moving as you sit. The ideal seat to have is a stool as there is no back support which forces the pianist to sit up straight. Typically, adjustable stools are found with pianos, and these are the best to adjust your height as required.

What is the right posture for the piano?

Before we discuss the appropriate posture while sitting at the piano, it is important to keep in mind that the perfect posture is in no way a stringent or rigid one. Having the right posture includes elements of comfort, ease, and flexibility.

Now that you have your seat decided, here are a few steps to helping you ensure that you have the correct posture at the piano:

Sitting in the front half of your bench, your first step is to relax. Relaxing your muscles and letting your body loose is a place to start. There's no point in keeping your body tense or tight. Let it go. Get comfortable.

Relax your neck, shoulders, arms, and loosen your elbows. Your elbows should almost be sitting at right angles and parallel to your feet which should be resting flat on the floor.

We cannot stress this enough, but make sure that your back is straight at all times. Sit upright at the piano, and don't slump.

When it comes to your fingers, they need to be in a position that's almost like they're pointing into the very soul of the keys. Yamaha suggests imagining you're holding eggs in your palms.

Try to keep your wrists in line with the rest of your arm, and don't slouch the wrists either!

We hope this simple guide to a good posture will help you as you sit at the piano. Believe it or not, having the right posture is the key to unlock your full potential as a pianist!