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by OnlyPiano.com
Throughout history,
piano manufacturers have made numerous
innovations to style and design,
transforming the piano into the majestic
instrument it is today. However, the
piano bench has remained virtually the
same for centuries. Piano benches, or
their round counterparts (piano stools),
have always been essential to anyone who
plays the piano.
The Importance of
Piano Benches
Whether you are a
new student or a professional pianist,
it’s important to know the basics when
it comes to selecting an appropriate
piano bench for your own size and type
of piano. Believe it or not, having a
comfortable piano bench can make a big
difference in your playing. You’ll learn
that good piano posture and bench
positioning are the first crucial steps
to learning to play the piano.
Piano Benches or
Piano Stools: What’s the Difference?
Piano benches come
in three basic forms: a rectangular
wooden bench (with or without a piano
bench cushion) that cannot be adjusted
for height; a concert bench, which has
circular knobs for height adjustment and
plush upholstered seats; or piano
chairs, which are made of wood and have
a solid back. Piano chairs are rather
uncommon, however, because they can be
uncomfortable and do not come standard
with most piano purchases.
In the past –
picture an old Western saloon – piano
stools were fairly popular. Like any
other stool, they were round and crafted
of wood. To raise or lower the piano
stool, you would simply spin the seat
clockwise or counterclockwise,
respectively. However, you won’t find
too many piano stools on today’s market
because they are a little unstable,
making it difficult to maintain good
posture.
The Advantages of
an Adjustable Piano Bench
The ability to
raise or lower your piano bench is very
important; after all, not everyone is
the same height. An adjustable piano
bench is a great asset for any pianist,
but it is especially helpful for young
students who are still growing. A piano
bench, at its ideal height, allows the
player to sit with his or her forearms
positioned parallel to the floor, with
the wrists and elbows in a comfortable,
relaxed form. Without an adjustable
piano bench, you might need to
improvise. You can add height to the
floor by placing something sturdy, such
as a stack of phonebooks or a footstool,
at the base of the piano bench.
Alternatively, you can add height by
tying on a piano bench cushion (or two)
– just be sure you don’t slide around or
feel unstable. An adjustable piano bench
makes the life of a pianist much simpler
and more comfortable.
How to Buy a Piano
Bench or Piano Stool
One way to purchase
a piano bench or stool is to find a
nearby piano dealer selling them and try
them all out. You will want to consider
what kind of piano you have when you
purchase a bench. Some piano benches are
suited better for grand and baby grand
pianos, while others are optimal for
upright, or console, pianos.
The other option is
to purchase a piano bench online since
the choices and styles might be much
larger than your neighborhood music
store. There are literally hundreds of
piano benches and stools to choose from,
with some online music stores offering
discounted prices shipping.
Popular Brands: The
Jansen Piano Bench
Jansen is one of
the most popular piano bench
manufacturers in the United States,
producing high-quality benches for grand
pianos and large upright pianos. A
Jansen piano bench complements high-end
piano brands, such as Steinway and
Baldwin, very well.
Each Jansen piano
bench is crafted from solid maple, and
pianists can select from a number of
finishes, colors, and leg styles. Satin
finish is the standard, but if you have
a shiny, new piano, you might opt for
the high-polish finish. The available
colors (ebony, walnut, mahogany, and red
mahogany) match virtually any piano and
any home décor. If you want a piano
bench with an upholstered top, you can
choose between black and brown.
Determining the
best leg style for your Jansen piano
bench is a matter of personal taste. The
styles range from classic to
contemporary to ornate:
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Square tapered
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Spade foot
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Brass ferrule
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Round tapered
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Queen Anne
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Round reeded
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Round fluted
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Early American
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Octagonal
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Louis XV
If you’re looking
to spend a little more money on quality
and aesthetics, Jansen also manufactures
artist, or concert, benches. The artist
benches have all the same options for
finish, leg style, and color, but they
also offer a choice of a diamond-tufted
vinyl or leather top.
Do I Need a Piano Bench Cover?
If you have an
artist bench, the answer is no. If your
piano bench has no upholstery, or a
plain vinyl top, you might consider a
piano bench cushion to make your time at
the keyboard more comfortable. You can
get a piano bench cover in a variety of
materials, colors, designs, and
thicknesses. Once again, your choice in
piano bench cushion is mostly a matter
of personal taste. Jansen, for example,
makes cushions stuffed with one-inch
thick polyurethane foam. Look for a
piano bench cover that has at least two,
but ideally three, strings to securely
tie the cushion to the bench.
Now that you know a
little more about the importance of
piano benches and what to look for when
shopping for one, you’re ready to sit
down, get comfortable, and start
playing.
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