Many improvements have been made in piano design and construction over
the past 300 years.  Almost all changes have dealt with improving the
way a piano sounds, but few improvements have dealt with the pianist's
or pianolist's seating format.  Piano benches are usually given
second-class status and little consideration as to actual use.

The reason why I am bringing up this subject is because of a recent
personal experience.  I had my upright player piano tuned not long ago.
That meant that I had to remove all the rolls from the top of the piano
in order to open it up.  Since the bench also needed to be out of the
tuner's way, I placed it along a wall with rolls on top of it.

I intended to move the rolls and bench back to their original positions
soon after the tuning but kept putting it off.  Later when I wished to
play a few rolls, I was without a bench.  So I grabbed the nearest
available hardback chair and used that instead.  The chair felt awkward
at first because it was a few inches lower than the bench and it had a
back.  Still, I was able to operate the pedals and the levers with no
problem.  I left everything in place for several days and pedaled
numerous rolls from the chair and soon became accustomed to this
alternate seat arrangement.

I eventually unloaded the piano bench and moved it back to its proper
place in front of the piano.  I then got out a roll and started to pump
while sitting on the bench.  Something was wrong.  I not only felt
awkward, I felt _uncomfortable_.  I soon realized that I had gotten
used to pumping from the chair.  Not only that, the chair was so much
more comfortable than the bench!

I got out my tape measure and measured the height of the bench and
the chair.  The bench is 21 inches (53 cm) high; the chair is 16 inches
(41 cm) high.  I am 5'5" (166 cm) tall.  Seat height wasn't the only
factor, having a back on the chair provided support for my lower back
and helped make the lower height more comfortable.

I liken the "pumping chair" to seat on a recumbent bicycle.  Recumbent
bicycles are still a novelty for many people and not to be taken
seriously, but those who ride love them.

Others types of seating such as office chairs and automobiles have
become more ergonomically friendly over the years.   However, seating
for pianos has remained as rigid, flat benches without back rests.
A web search revealed sparse interest in the subject with only a few
individuals delving into research and innovation for piano seating,
and nothing specific to player pianos.

One should note that pianists and pianolists have different needs.
The pianist needs to be able to touch the keys and the loud, soft, and
sustain pedals.  However, the pianolist doesn't need to touch the keys,
only the operating levers which are lower and closer to him/her.  The
pumper pedals are also at a different angle.

There are traditionalists who will say this is heresy but maybe it is
time for a change in pumper piano seating.  It's much easier to enjoy
the music when you are comfortable, and that enables you to play for
longer periods of time.  My suggestion is try it for a week.

Regards,

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://mmd.foxtail.com/Exchange/