🎹The Unsung Heroes of Proper Piano Technique & Posture

Let’s be honest: piano posture and proper piano technique isn’t exactly the most glamorous topic. But it might just be one of the most important.

When a student sits at the wrong height or their feet dangle mid-air, everything from finger shape to focus can go sideways. That’s why I always recommend investing in a solid adjustable piano bench and footstool for proper technique—especially for younger players.

They’re the quiet champions behind confident, comfortable playing. In the long run, setting your students up for proper piano technique with these tools will enable them to play more expressively, and play harder music.

🎹 Why Bench Height Matters for Proper Piano Technique

Think about how we teach proper hand position—straight wrists, relaxed shoulders, and curved fingers. None of that works if your student is too low or too high at the piano.

An adjustable bench solves that in one easy step.

It puts students of all shapes and sizes at the perfect height, so their arms can stay parallel to the floor and their hands fall naturally on the keys. This isn’t just about looking polished—it’s about building technique habits that will last a lifetime.

You can find padded, adjustable benches on Amazon starting around $80 – $100. A little cushion goes a long way in making longer practice sessions more enjoyable!

Pro tip! Don’t get a bench with a back. That encourages kids to slouch back into it while they play and for proper posture at the piano, we want straight, self-supported backs!

🦶 Don’t Forget the Feet! The Power of a Footstool

Little legs often mean dangling feet—and that can lead to some wiggly, distracted piano time.

An footstool–bonus if it’s adjustable!–gives small students a grounded, supported feeling. It helps them stay focused and keeps their posture steady from head to toe. Plus, when their feet have a place to rest, they feel more secure and confident on the bench.

There are two types of footstools that I recommend:

• The first is this one from Liquid Stands. It’s made of metal so it’s sturdy, sleek, and super adjustable to match whatever height your student needs.
• The second is this wooden one from StrongTek. It’s really easy for kids to adjust, a nice glossy black to match a lot of pianos, and is sturdy. There are other brands that make similar footstools, but this one seems to be the sturdiest in my opinion.

✨ Use What You’ve Got: DIY Footstool Solutions

Not ready to invest in a dedicated footstool just yet? No problem!

There’s no rule that says it has to be fancy. You can use:

• A sturdy stack of books (make sure they’re wide enough to support both feet comfortably)
• An upside-down laundry basket (just keep them from standing on it so they don’t break through the bottom and hurt their feet and legs. We want to make music, not injuries!)
• A plastic storage bin or tote
• A firm shoebox (for taller kiddos)

The goal is simply to give your student’s feet a solid, non-slip surface to rest on. If they feel balanced and supported, they’ll be able to focus on making music—not fidgeting to stay upright.

🎼 A Pedal Head Start: The Magic of Extenders

As your students get more advanced, they’ll eventually start exploring the damper pedal—but reaching it can be a challenge for small feet.

That’s where a pedal extender comes in handy! It allows students to start experimenting with pedal sounds earlier, so the addition of pedal doesn’t feel scary or foreign when it’s introduced formally.

Pedal extenders like this one give students both a footrest and access to the pedals, making expressive playing accessible sooner. This is a great way to encourage proper piano technique, posture, and exploration.

✅ The Real-World Benefits of Good Setup

Using a quality piano bench and footstool for proper piano technique isn’t just about following the rules. It actually makes a huge difference in your student’s experience:

• Comfort leads to confidence. A well-positioned student can focus on music—not their posture.
• Fewer distractions = better practice. No more constant shifting or dangling feet drama.
• Long-term injury prevention. Healthy technique habits mean fewer aches and pains later.
• Beautiful tone and form. It’s easier to create beautiful music with a relaxed, supported body.

Even older beginners benefit from better posture and grounded playing. These simple tools aren’t just for kids—they’re for every pianist.

🔎 What the Research Says

The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and other music educators emphasize the importance of ergonomics in music education. Young musicians in particular need extra support to ensure healthy alignment and comfort while playing.

From an occupational therapy perspective, helping children feel physically stable at the piano leads to more effective learning, less fatigue, and more joyful lessons.

💡 Teacher Tip: Make It Routine

In my studio, we start every lesson by checking bench height and foot support. Students learn quickly how to adjust things for themselves, and it becomes just another part of their warm-up—like scales or aural games.

It’s empowering, and it helps them feel like pros from the start.

🛒 Product Links:

• Piano Footstools – sturdy, adjustable, and used daily in my studio
• Adjustable Piano Benches – start around $80 and often come padded
• Pedal Extenders – a great option for smaller students exploring pedal use

💭 Final Thoughts

Great piano technique and posture doesn’t happen by accident. But it also doesn’t require anything complicated. With a simple adjustable piano bench and footstool for proper positioning, you’re giving your students the tools they need to play confidently, comfortably, and beautifully.

So whether it’s a top-of-the-line bench or a plastic bin under their feet—support your students from the ground up. Their hands (and backs!) will thank you.

Are you in the Huntsville, AL area and ready to jump into learning something new? Look no further than Playful Notes Piano! Click here to learn more about my approach to teaching. And if you’re still on the fence, here are all the benefits of learning piano–and these are just the ones I highlighted. There are so many more!

Ready to enroll? Click here to get started with us today!