Sitting Distance

Recently, I went over to the home of a local concert pianist to rehearse some music for his church. Rather than playing piano, he will be singing this week, with me as his accompanist. First off, this guy sits with a special ergonomic bench which has a tilted seat, i.e. Not a flat surface, but a slope. Very interesting. He said it's better for your back. Fair enough. I admit, I certainly felt comfortable on it. Here's where I get to the point: I sat down and he took note of my sitting distance, asking if the bench was too close to the keyboard. I thought to myself, I also didn't quite trust him because I'm not a huge fan of the guy's personality, and I had heard him in a recital from which I left feeling ambivalent. I scooted forward a tad, but remained seated much farther away from the instrument than I am accustomed, to indulge him and to experiment for myself. I did not feel awkward during the rehearsal, though I noticed that it is harder to read music from that distance. Over the past few days, I've been sitting farther away and have come to the conclusion that, yes, for YEARS now, I've been sitting way too close to the piano. I've taken note of tons of pianists performing on YouTube, etc. The evidence is unmistakable. I sit - no, I - too close. One benefit I have noticed is that, when my hands are playing closer to the center of the keyboard, my torso doesn't get in the way of my arm. Or, more importantly, when one arm has to play extremely close to my body (i.e. left hand playing in treble register, right hand playing in bass register), my torso does not obstruct the free movement of my arms. Anyway, this is an interesting topic that seems to be neglected by far too many pedagogues. No one has EVER mentioned this to me before. Anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Any "rules of thumb" for sitting distance?

In the past I used to sit far too close to the piano - I guess I retained the distance that I sat at as a kid and never considered modifying it despite the fact I was getting bigger. At such a close proximity I found pedalling very uncomfortable, so I shifted the bench back mostly for that. More recently I've played around with the distance. Too far back and I start to lean forward - in itself not such a bad thing as I get and incredible sense of length along my spine. I guess with each adjustment I see if there's anything new like that and aim to integrate a trace of it when I bring the bench closer to my neutral position. I always look out of the things you mentioned i.e. the body obstructing the arms, and that the distance does not force a certain position e.g. extreme leaning back or forwards.

How interesting - I have just been doing the reverse! I have moved closer to the piano because I feel that doing so allows my arm/elbow to be most relaxed, since I am not extending it forwards. When I sit closer I can leave my arm at a point of rest. Well, at least I like these are benefits,- but next practice I will try sitting further back and seeing if my arms feel less obstructed by the torso...

I have had exactly the same experience. One effect is of course increased arm movability but a more important feeling for me is that I get more power and accuracy while doing much less. Another thing sitting further back also increases the potential to move. However I have problems when nerves are involved and then tend to go back to my old habits. Which is interesting the tendancy to sit close might have something to do with a "fearfactor". Still making up general rules I have no idea. Guess there are so many parameters like proportions forearm/upperarm/torso/legs etc.And weight.

Once I co-taught a workshop with a colleague who taught a whole hour-long segment on distance from the piano. I was furious - what a waste of time! Sitting distance is a no-brainer: if you're too far away, sit closer; if you're too close, sit farther away! Just make yourself comfortable. Is it that difficult?? When I see someone sitting too close or too far away, I tell them, and we resolve it in two minutes. Now, I realize that the person is NOT AWARE that they are too close or too far away, or else they would have fixed it themselves, and I suppose that this is why you started this thread - to increase your own self-awareness. Good for you! But like, really, it's a no-brainer! Sorry for the rant, AFF

Seen Tin Cup? The pro (Kevin Kostner) tells his pupil to take the keys out of his right pocket and put'em in the left pocket-and the pupil starts to hit the golfball like never before:-)