Piano benches are a piece of accessory that a pianist will need to sit on when using the instrument. It doesn’t matter if it is on a portable keyboard or a large organ; you will need some sitting option to ease the entire process. While you will need to ensure you get the right bench for your piano, you still have to pair it with the right seat pad so that your bum doesn’t flatten out on the hard surface.
If you are in the market for a cushion to help prevent cramps and other muscle-related problems, this piece could be the right place to get you started in the right direction.
How Long do You Play?
The first thing you should consider before buying a cushion for your piano bench is your duration of play. If you play for short periods at your studio or on your home piano, then you could opt for a hard cushioned seat. Whereas, if you play for more extended periods at concerts or with a music band, then it might be best investing in a softer cushioned bench. While you may not consider this necessary, a lot of experts advise this to be the best way to make the decision. You could also check this piece to help you with your posture when playing the piano.
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Where do you Play?
You also want to consider the environment you play your instrument in when shopping for a piano seat cushion. There are a variety of options made with a different type of material, so with a little search, you can find one that meets your needs. If you play on street corners where you could quickly get wet, you would be better off with a water-resistant option. Also, if you have a piano sitting close to an open window where it gets exposed to the sunlight, a polyester material could be more suitable.
What to Look for in a Suitable Cushion?
First of all, you should be aware that there are many options available, which can make it challenging to make a decision. But if you know the right features to look for in a quality product, it wouldn’t be much of a challenge. Some of the features not to ignore include
Cushion Material
You want to consider the material used in making the pads. It will help to guarantee that you don’t end up with a tear after a few outing. Some of the fabric options to look for include polyester, velour fabric, cotton, and in certain instances, nylon. Your choice of material will depend on the level of softness you require. And if you play for long hours, softer fabrics like polyester and velvet, with a foam cushion, would do the trick.
Thickness of Fabric
You also want to consider the thickness of the fabric, as this helps to determine how it will feel on your bum. If you don’t want to feel the hard surface of the seat, a thicker material with a substantial foam padding would be a better choice. A cushion with a high thickness will also be an excellent choice for players looking added height advantage when playing the instrument. You may want to use a few towels to see how much elevation is right for you, and then use that to settle on the thickness of the fabric.
Cushion Softness
You can find pads that feature a varying degree of softness, making it possible to find the one that matches your preference. If you play for a short time, then a firm cushioned material could be a useful addition to your seat. But if you play for long hours regularly, you need to opt for a piano pad made from the softest of materials. It would be best if it included a polyurethane foam padding to reduce the pressure on your bum and waistline.
Fasteners
You should also check that the piano bench pads have got fasteners attached to it. These are necessary as they make it possible to connect the cushion to the bench and also prevent it from falling off when you sit on it. You may not consider this if you play it easy on the instrument, but if you play aggressively and tend to move about a lot, then fasteners are a must with your seat cushion.
Construction
The construction of the cushion will determine if it will be durable or not. In addition to checking for the right fabric material, you also want to inspect the stitching around the edges to ensure it is sturdy enough. Any loose stitching will result in a tear, so you want to take note of this one.
How to Find Top Quality Piano Bench Pads?
So now you know what to look out for in a quality product, it would also help if you knew how to find a quality pad for your piano bench. You can check some of the best piano benches and see more below on how to make sure you buy only quality piano bench pads.
Ask Around
An excellent way to ensure you only settle for the best piano seat cushion is to ask others who may have purchased one recently. You can check at the studio where you take piano lessons or the pianist at your church, school, or opera house.
Go online
You can also use the internet to find a suitable product to buy. You can join Facebook groups related to piano ask for ideas on a proper piano bench pad. You could also search for some of the best brands on Google, and you may be shocked at the many options at your disposal. But if you know how to do a little research, you may quickly be able to tell the good from the great.
Final Note
Online reviews are also helpful when it comes to finding a suitable product to buy when using the internet. You get to read up on what other users have to say about their experience using the product. A simple search query should return enough information to help you find the right piano bench pad to make you feel comfortable without much hassle. So it doesn’t matter if you own a portable keyboard or a grand piano, or you own a practice studio or play at the Opera, you would need to invest in a quality piano bench with the right pads to go with it.
Photo by Jean-Philippe Delberghe on Unsplash
