How can you choose the right keyboard bench with so many of them on the market. They range from simple swivel chairs to high end models that are more like pieces of art than something you would want to sit on. Choosing the right chair can make a world of difference, whether you are practicing for hours on end or playing in front of an audience.
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It is not uncommon for keyboarders to have more than one keyboard bench. Some of the best players have a cheap, comfortable bench that they practice on for extended periods of time and a more flashy bench that they tour with. Others just have one that suits both of their needs. It is important that you choose what is best for you.
Although price is a driving factor for choosing a keyboard bench, there are a lot of different things that you should look at before making a decision. Here is a list of some of those things you should look into:
- Price. How much do you want to spend?
- Portability. Do you need to move it often?
- Shape. Do you prefer a bench or a stool?
- Height. Should your bench be fixed or adjustable in height?
- Material. Which is better for you: wood or metal?
- Padding. Should your bench be padded?
- Feet. Should your bench have rubber feet or wheels?
- Color. Are you alright with black?
- Storage. Do you want a bench with storage features?
- Brand. Do you really need a name brand seat?
Price
Probably the most important factor in the selection process for most musicians is the price. Not every keyboardist can afford to spend a small fortune on a seat and not every musician wants something that they consider cheap. Online, there are large selections of seats that fit every budget, from small time garage musician to professional music maker.
Portability
The next question that you have to ask yourself is how portable you want your keyboard bench. A lot of chairs fold and are designed using lightweight materials for ultimate portability. However, many of these chairs appear to be cheap and may not be suitable for certain events. Other chairs are more durable, heavier, and have a more professional appearance. In essence, all chairs are portable. You only have to determine how portable you want your chair to be.
Shape
The keyboard bench predominantly comes in the shape of a rectangle. They usually have two legs that cross over each other or have four independently standing legs. These are the most sturdy benches and provide the most support to keyboardists.
Although they are rounded, stools are also considered to be benches. Rounded benches provide the extra convenience of being able to pivot, a quality that some keyboardists like and others do not. These stools also are usually quite a bit lighter than other benches.
Height
The height of a keyboard bench is critical to proper play. You do not want a bench that is too short or too high. There are many models that have height adjustments. But some professional keyboard players feel that the components of adjustable height benches detract from the appearance of the seat.
Adjustable height is also an important feature for families, friends, and studios where several people of various sizes use the same keyboard bench. Some benches feature marks on the side that can be used to quickly adjust the height for different players.
To measure yourself for a bench, whether its height is adjustable or not, you will have to find a chair that is of similar height to what you are comfortable playing. Measure the distance from the ground to the seat of the chair. If the chair is too short, you can stack books under yourself to find the appropriate height. You can compare that measurement to the height of a non-adjustable chair or range of heights of an adjustable chair.
Material
Materials range just as wildly as prices do. Most benches are made of lightweight metals and plastics that are selected for easy portability and storage. Other benches are made of hardwoods and other materials to give them more professional appearances.
Padding
If you are planning on sitting for a long time, padding is a must. However, some keyboardists still prefer to use hard benches with little or no padding. There are also different types of padding, including plastic, leather, and fabric which have varying degrees of looks and comfort. If you absolutely do not want padding, you may find it difficult to find a bench that isn’t padded. The selection for unpadded benches is quite limited.
Feet
One commonly overlooked feature is the feet of the keyboard bench. Some benches have cushioned feet to prevent sliding of the bench during play or scratching of the surface that the bench is placed on. If you plan on playing on floors that are not carpeted, whether they are wood or tile, you should consider rubberized grips for stability and to prevent damage to floors. Some other models have wheels for easy transport. However, wheels are typically not a practical solution for many players because stability is key during keyboard play.
Storage
A number of benches feature various types of storage options. Some of these benches have seats that flip up, known as flip tops, that reveal hidden storage compartments underneath. Other benches feature drawers in the space below the seats. With either option, the storage spaces provide excellent solutions for storing music books, microphones, and other accessories.
Color
Almost all forms of the keyboard bench are black. Occasionally, brown and other dark colored benches are available, but do not always count on it. There are several companies online that will custom paint keyboard benches or produce customized benches to customers for a price.
Brand
Many top music brands and even more lesser known brands produce benches of varying degrees of quality. Some of the top known brands include Yamaha and Casio. However, some companies that produce quality benches for value prices are Musician’s Gear, On Stage, and Pyle Pro. Unless you are set on purchasing from a name brand company, do not always have your mind set on paying top price to feature a brand name. If you keep your options open, you may be surprised to find that you can get a high quality bench for a fraction of the cost.
There are a lot of features that you need to look at when you are purchasing a keyboard bench. Price is important, but it should not be the ultimate determining factor. Take into account many of the other features and you will surely choose a bench that will last you for many years.
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