Getting set up at the piano
Getting properly set up at home is THE most important thing you can to ensure your child will feel comfortable and actually enjoy playing their piano! Compare playing piano to riding a bike. Would your child ride an uncomfortable squeaky old bike that was way too big or too small for them? Nope! This wonderful analogy is courtesy of Samantha Coates. Very worth a read! Click here.
Pianos are BIG instruments! They are designed for people with adult-sized bodies to sit comfortably with good posture and balance. Children need special adjustments to their sitting height and feet so that they can develop correct positioning and technique at the instrument.
Follow these tips to get your child set up well at home.
The ideal piano posture:
1. Relaxed shoulders with upper arms hanging freely.
2. Forearms parallel to the keys, elbows level or just slightly higher than the keys.
3. Slight slope down from hips to knees, feet resting flat.
4. Sitting towards the front of the piano bench. This allows for freedom of movement across the keys.
To achieve this:
1. Purchase an adjustable piano bench. There is no substitute for a proper adjustable piano bench. You can’t put a price on your child’s long-term physical heath. They can be found at stores like Better Music (something like this is ideal https://www.bettermusic.com.au/conner-pj007 or this handy gaslift bench https://www.bettermusic.com.au/height-adjustable-piano-stool-ebony-35706 ) or you might be able to find one second hand online.
Note: If your child is small and an adjustable bench still isn’t tall enough you can prop them up by getting them to sit on a few foam jigsaw mats.
2. Create a footrest. Stacks of old, large books or reams of computer paper make a great footrest. Make sure the footrest is big and sturdy enough for both feet to rest upon and feel secure. I make mine out of reams of paper, which can be stacked on top of each other to create the correct height for each player. I have made multiple sizes for kids of different heights. And if money is no object, then google these amazing inventions called ‘Piano Pedal Extenders’. ☺