Piano Bench and Bad Back

[RVG]

Hi,

I have a severe back condition and I'm quite tall (1m96, 6ft6) and I
can't stay sitting on a piano bench for a long time (20mn tops).
Lately I've been playing on my knees with a wee Edirol kb but it doesn't
have a piano touch at all.

D'you know a solution so that I could sit comfortably while being able
to access the regular keyboard and the pedals of my digital piano ? I
can use my own weight to play loud, it's not the (major) problem.

TIA.

[Sylvia Else]

Post by RVG
Hi,
I have a severe back condition and I'm quite tall (1m96, 6ft6) and I
can't stay sitting on a piano bench for a long time (20mn tops).
Lately I've been playing on my knees with a wee Edirol kb but it doesn't
have a piano touch at all.
D'you know a solution so that I could sit comfortably while being able
to access the regular keyboard and the pedals of my digital piano ? I
can use my own weight to play loud, it's not the (major) problem.
TIA.

It's likely that the keyboard could be removed from the digital piano
and connected to it by a custom made extension lead. The keyboard could
then be mounted on a frame in a position to suit you.

The piano may allow the use of an auxillary pedal, which could then also
be positioned as required. Alternatively, the existing pedals could be
disconnected and an auxillary pedal put in their place.

Of course, unless you have the necessary skills yourself, this is not
going to come cheap.

But I'd have thought the first question that needs answering is what it
is about sitting on the piano bench that's causing you problems. Perhaps
it just needs some padding. Can you sit on a chair at a table for an
extended period, for example?

Sylvia.

[RVG]

Post by Sylvia Else

Post by RVG
Hi,
I have a severe back condition and I'm quite tall (1m96, 6ft6) and I
can't stay sitting on a piano bench for a long time (20mn tops).
Lately I've been playing on my knees with a wee Edirol kb but it doesn't
have a piano touch at all.
D'you know a solution so that I could sit comfortably while being able
to access the regular keyboard and the pedals of my digital piano ? I
can use my own weight to play loud, it's not the (major) problem.
TIA.

It's likely that the keyboard could be removed from the digital piano
and connected to it by a custom made extension lead. The keyboard could
then be mounted on a frame in a position to suit you.

I was considering the purchase of a portable DP. Korg has some
interesting and very affordable models. The in-built sound modules are
not an issue since I record on the PC via midi and playback/record with
Pianoteq and a good Fender Rhodes VSTi.

Post by Sylvia Else
The piano may allow the use of an auxillary pedal, which could then also
be positioned as required. Alternatively, the existing pedals could be
disconnected and an auxillary pedal put in their place.
Of course, unless you have the necessary skills yourself, this is not
going to come cheap.
But I'd have thought the first question that needs answering is what it
is about sitting on the piano bench that's causing you problems. Perhaps
it just needs some padding. Can you sit on a chair at a table for an
extended period, for example?

The problem is that because of my size and weight I tend to break my
seats after a couple of months. There's the armchair problem too: as
much as I like/need to rest my back by holding on my arms once in
awhile, the arm pieces are an obstacle when it comes to reaching the
outer limits of the piano.

I've already had to give up the guitar (I can't even lift my
Stratocaster anymore), I'd really be depressed if all I could play was a
simple portable keyboard. It's OK for fondling around in search of a
harmonic progression or elements of melody, but you can't play anything
expressive with it.

[Sylvia Else]

Post by RVG

Post by Sylvia Else

Post by RVG
Hi,
I have a severe back condition and I'm quite tall (1m96, 6ft6) and I
can't stay sitting on a piano bench for a long time (20mn tops).
Lately I've been playing on my knees with a wee Edirol kb but it doesn't
have a piano touch at all.
D'you know a solution so that I could sit comfortably while being able
to access the regular keyboard and the pedals of my digital piano ? I
can use my own weight to play loud, it's not the (major) problem.
TIA.

It's likely that the keyboard could be removed from the digital piano
and connected to it by a custom made extension lead. The keyboard could
then be mounted on a frame in a position to suit you.

I was considering the purchase of a portable DP. Korg has some
interesting and very affordable models. The in-built sound modules are
not an issue since I record on the PC via midi and playback/record with
Pianoteq and a good Fender Rhodes VSTi.

Post by Sylvia Else
The piano may allow the use of an auxillary pedal, which could then also
be positioned as required. Alternatively, the existing pedals could be
disconnected and an auxillary pedal put in their place.
Of course, unless you have the necessary skills yourself, this is not
going to come cheap.
But I'd have thought the first question that needs answering is what it
is about sitting on the piano bench that's causing you problems. Perhaps
it just needs some padding. Can you sit on a chair at a table for an
extended period, for example?

The problem is that because of my size and weight I tend to break my
seats after a couple of months.

The answer to that is probably to find a seat that suits you, and then
get it reinforced with a steel framework. In the circumstances I assume
that the aesthetics won't matter. This will cost money of course, but in
the long term it would have to be cheaper than constantly buying new seats.

Post by RVG
There's the armchair problem too: as
much as I like/need to rest my back by holding on my arms once in
awhile, the arm pieces are an obstacle when it comes to reaching the
outer limits of the piano.

Perhaps what you really need is some lumbar support, but it's something
you'd really need to discuss with your back specialist.

Sylvia.

[Jim]

Post by RVG
Hi,
I have a severe back condition and I'm quite tall (1m96, 6ft6) and I
can't stay sitting on a piano bench for a long time (20mn tops).
Lately I've been playing on my knees with a wee Edirol kb but it doesn't
have a piano touch at all.
D'you know a solution so that I could sit comfortably while being able
to access the regular keyboard and the pedals of my digital piano ? I
can use my own weight to play loud, it's not the (major) problem.
TIA.

I don't have a severe back condition, but do have problems sitting with
no back support for long periods. I bought a drummer's throne with a
back, the back is very narrow, and does not get in my way while playing.
Not super cheap, but effective. I bought a Ludwig D2000BR, others that
make similar products include Pearl and Rock-N-Soc.

Jim