What’s the Best Piano or Keyboard Bench or Stool for Me? |
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Most keyboard players play their piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer while seated. This is generally more comfortable, especially when you’re using one or more pedals. While you could simply use a dining chair, your playing posture is almost always better when you’re sitting on a real piano bench, stool or keyboard bench. But which model should you pick? In this Buyer’s Guide, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions to help out. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us! 1. What’s the Difference Between a Keyboard Bench and a Piano Bench?While their distinct names may have you thinking otherwise, both can be used with any keyboard instrument. The biggest difference lies in their design. Piano benches are generally more luxurious and usually aren’t collapsible, making them the best option for pianos parked in a permanent spot. More often than not, piano benches are available in a number of typical piano-style colours and finishes, such as high-gloss black or matte brown. Keyboard benches usually feature a more straightforward, collapsible design and because of this, are great for gigs since they’re easier to transport. In addition, they’re often cheaper and therefore a great alternative when a piano bench doesn’t fit your budget. Tip: Another alternative would be the musician’s stool, which can be used to play at standing height while sufficiently supported.
2. What’s the Difference Between a Piano Bench and a Piano Stool?While there’s no specific feature or aspect that sets a piano bench apart from a piano stool, the latter generally has a round seat. This means that a piano stool takes up less space, while the rectangular seat of a piano bench gives you more room to move and lean sideways to adopt any desired playing position.
3. What’s the Difference Between an Organ Stool/Bench and a Piano Bench?A genuine organ bench (sometimes called an organ stool) is wider than a piano bench and gives you more room to slide around and make easier use of the many pedals that organs are often equipped with.
4. Should My Bench or Stool Be Height-Adjustable?Proper keyboard or piano playing posture requires that your elbows are bent at a 90-degree angle, so the right height is certainly important. Children and taller adults especially are better off with a height-adjustable piano bench or stool. If you’re anywhere between 140 and 190cm tall, you don’t necessarily need an adjustable model, but keep in mind that even the smallest of adjustments can sometimes offer a lot of extra playing comfort. Height-Adjustable Piano Benches
5. How Do I Adjust the Height of My Bench or Stool?There are a possible few ways to adjust the height. In the case of a piano bench, this is usually a stepless adjustment mechanism with two knobs. Stools are generally simply adjusted by turning the seat. Keyboard benches often feature gradual height adjustment mechanisms, where the height is adjusted by shifting the legs and securing them by slotting a pin in a pre-drilled hole. Some models don’t offer any height adjustments at all. To find out if a particular bench is adjustable and how, you can look at the specifications included on the product page. Height-Adjustable Piano Benches
6. What Should the Seat Be Made of?Every bench or stool comes with a padded seat covered by the material you actually sit on. This can be leather, faux leather, velours, or something else. What kind of material the seat of a specific model is covered with can be found on the product page. Faux leather, often referred to as skai leather, is fake synthetic leather with the look and feel of real leather, and the benefit of being cheaper and easier to clean. Real leather will set you back more money, but it does look better and lasts longer. Velour is a soft fabric with a plush feel that’s similar to velvet. It’s not as easy to clean as leather and faux leather but it does look and feel warmer. It may even be more comfortable, but that depends on your personal preference. Piano Benches: Leather/Faux Leather, Velours
7. What Else Explains the Price Differences Between Various Benches and Stools?Next to the material used for the seat (see Question 6), there are also differences in the material used for the frame. Needless to say, a beautifully designed wooden frame will cost more than a straightforward steel one. On stage, a steel-framed stool or bench will do, but you might be inclined to pick up something more luxurious for use at home. Furthermore, more expensive models are generally more durable and robust than cheaper ones, so if you already know you’re going to be using and/or moving your bench or stool around a lot, it’s advisable to have a look in a higher price range. Lastly, it’s worth noting that by and large, higher-priced benches and stools feature a higher-quality finish. If you’ve decorated your living room or dressed up the stage with the utmost care and attention to detail, you probably want a piano bench with premium styling to match.
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