What Makes A Piano Bench A
Perfect Sitting
One can't help but be curious about the
different kinds of piano benches around and of course, which one is the
most appropriate. The vast number of preferences is as varied as their
price, finish, style, and size, yet it's these very characteristics that
we use to select one over the other. The following offers a few
considerations that you may want to think about before buying one of
your own. After all, all good piano music comes from a comfortable
player!CostA lot of people find the cost of a piano bench the
most significant factor. Generally the more expensive that a piano may
be, the more expensive its seating should be. Putting functionality
aside, this strategy of selecting one that's appropriate is a matter of
aesthetics and an attempt to match its overall quality to that of the
instrument being played.
Sometimes this strategy is even used
to match the environment in which the piano is being played. As an
example, consider the symphony stage. An appropriate piano bench in this
setting could be a duet concerto bench. This kind of seating sports a
hand tufted leather top and it can be purchased somewhere around the
1,000 dollar range. On the other end of the spectrum, a smaller pad-less
one is much more appropriate for recreational rooms or classroom school
settings, and they'll generally run around between 200 to 400 dollars
each. FinishKeeping within the aesthetics of the piano, you'll
want its finish to match that of the accompanying piano. Different
finishes will affect the costs of various benches, however they all seem
to fall within the same range in which pianos are made. So that means
you'll have no trouble finding a black satin bench for your black satin
piano. StyleThere are three basic components of a piano bench's
design and each contributes to its own unique style. One of those
components is the leg style.
In short (no pun intended), the
leg style should match the leg style of the piano -- a style which could
be spade leg, classic straight leg, brass ferrule leg, Louis XIV legs,
or even round leg. The most common leg style is the spade leg or classic
straight leg style, however the legs of some benches may be interchanged
with a different style so that you can achieve a certain look.
Another component that creates style is the top of the bench. The most
common top is simple wood but an upholstered top is more comfortable,
especially for those long concertos. For benches that lack the
upholstered comfort, you can later add one of various cushions and
designs starting at about 60 dollars.
An adjustable bench is a
style that allows a musician to fine-tune its height from the floor and
the performer's posture at the same time. Since posture tends to
influence playing ability, both professionals and instructors recommend
this kind of seating (although it can carry a hefty 500 to 800 dollar
price tag).SizeThe size can influence preference as well and
its length is what determines that size. The average piano bench is no
more than 30 inches in length while longer ones (about thirty-five
inches) are the better choice for two people who will play the piano
together in a duet.
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