Hello all, this is Andrea from Verona, Italy...I've been reading the forum for weeks, and since my K61 is due in few days i thought it was the right time to show up
As a long time guitar player ( Fender Strato USA and Martind D42) I never had to deal with the pain in the subject.
Yesterday I was studying longer at the keyboard, my old 01/WproX, and after a couple of hours my back was in severe pain...first I thought my posture was not correct, but then I realized that al lot of people plays while standing insted of sitting...is that correct ?
I'm a bit scared since I had a recent surgery ( slipped disc ), and I was wondering how to ease the situation...maybe someone with a similar situation can suggest a trick or something...even maybe a keyboard stand brand, that would allow me to play keyboard while standing....
Sorry if my questions seems a little dumb but I'm quite a "new kid on the block" speaking of synth/piano....
I play almost exclusively standing - especially live. In part this is because I think it looks better to be standing and involved with the other musicians in my band, but it's also because it allows me to pretty much constantly change position.
We typically play for 4 hours/4 set per show with 3 breaks and it is unusual for me to feel any back fatigue (lucky me). The more usual pain is from standing on one leg for 40 minutes so I can operate the sustain pedal.
I've noticed that I sometimes get back pain when I play seated for more than an hour - especially with a weighted keyboard or acoustic piano. I'm pretty sure it's because I maintain a fairly rigid posture. Taking a break every 15-20 minutes might help you. You might also experiment with raising your playing height so that your upper body remains a bit more upright - and not looking straight down on the keys.
Depending on the location of your surgery you might want to get a soft support brace (ask your doctor) that will let you sit for a long time more easily. I occasionally use one if I plan to do heavy lifting - it's heavy elastic, about 6 inches wide and fastens with velcro... and it makes me look about 15 pounds lighter - bonus!
Most stands are very adjustable - I use both double braced "X" and Ultimate Support Apex stands. X-stands typically move up or down a couple of inches (4-8 cm) per click if they use a bolt catch. It depends on how wide they are set up. The Apex slant stands use a sliding support, so you can find your comfort zone exactly. Both have single and double versions. Neither is particularly good for playing while sitting.
For playing while sitting down, you might want to look at a "Z" or table type stand. Either of those will give you better leg room, but they are not the best for standing play.
I'd recommend getting a very good multi adjustable office chair (any expense is worth mitigating back pain).
Another way of not bending over the keyboard is to use an editor via a PC monitor ... Kronos has such an editor (don't know about the 01/W) ... not sure the screen resolution can be adjusted though it's a bit bigger on my screen than on the keyboard ...
Kronos 61 & KK KARMA / Triton Ex c/w MOSS and TR KARMA / MS2000 / Radias / Kaossilator Pro & Kaossilator / Korg Kontrol 49 / Nanopad / Novation Nova / Waldorf Blofeld
Line 6 Flextone XL / Line 6 POD XT / Roland V Bass / Ampeg Portabass & Cab / Assorted Guitars (no whammy bar) ... and a Fender Champ ...
Not a dumb question at all. I'm suffering a bit at the mo with Backache. I do a lot of sport but I think it's down to the keyboard. So deep in concentration that I tend to forget my posture .
There are plenty of stands around that allow standing , google it maybe. I might be taking the same path.
One other comment, then I'll let others add theirs.
The chair and keyboard heights, distance from the keyboard and control surfaces and the posture required for the best viewing angle for the edit screen can all combine to lock your body into an unnatural position. Your head has to be in one place to see, your bottom is in the chair, the only flexibility left is in your spine. You may be doing way more stressful work than you think just sitting in one place.
You might want to have a friend take some pictures or video of you at practice to see what you are doing, how you are sitting, what weight you are supporting, how far you are reaching to do certain jobs, etc.
Regarding standing vs. sitting - what sounds more fatiguing to you: walking for an hour or sitting and flapping your arms? That's what it comes down to. If you stand you at least have the option of shifting closer or farther away depending on what you are doing. Sitting kind of nails your butt to the seat and all the adjustments happen in your back as you lean in and out or stretch to reach or see awkwardly placed (for seated playing) controls.
I use
Stokke/Varier Wing Balans at work and at home for my korg keyboard too http://www.varierfurniture.com/Collecti ... -balans-R/
it is very adjustable you can distribute part of load to knees and this motivates you to keep your spine straight, but perhaps it is not for everyone (also it doesn't gives obvious advantage when you have a lot of work with pedals) and it is expensive.... although I picked both of mine in ebay around E200.
Take care!
gj
I can't stand up for long so sitting comfortably is essential.
I agree with all that BB wrote re-sitting - I'd add that getting a chair with rollers/casters helps for when you need shift position to reach over to other kit ...
Kronos 61 & KK KARMA / Triton Ex c/w MOSS and TR KARMA / MS2000 / Radias / Kaossilator Pro & Kaossilator / Korg Kontrol 49 / Nanopad / Novation Nova / Waldorf Blofeld
Line 6 Flextone XL / Line 6 POD XT / Roland V Bass / Ampeg Portabass & Cab / Assorted Guitars (no whammy bar) ... and a Fender Champ ...
I also can't stand for long due to health reasons.
I have yet to find the perfect chair.
I have tried office chairs of various designs, usually they feel good for a day or two then the pain starts.
I find that for normal pc usage etc, a normal wooden dining table type chair seems to be best for me.
I've got an adjustable quiklok piano bench that I use when I play, but I still sometimes get backache especially when leaning over the Kronos editing on the touch screen. I am more prone to getting a pain in the back of my neck that almost turns into a headache.
I personally find that chairs with castors are a pain as on my wooden floor I slide all over the place such as when using the sustain pedal.
I have really bad knees and couldn't possibly use one of those chairs where you sit kneeling.
Ojustaboo wrote:...
So I don't have an answer but do sympathise
I too.
But I know the cause: It´s called "getting old".
I get those symptoms when I work too long at my computer leaning over the keys staring at the screen. I got a serious headache for weeks from that.
Just relax and lean back.
I find the problem with kronos screen that give me backache and trying to see the information on the screen gives me eye strain but I still love the thing
btw: Your old M3 is great! I got a nearly new 61 keybed. Now it looks and feels and sounds MUCH better. Have fun with your big Kronos 88.
Thanks everybody, yesterday evening I found out my posture is really bad when at the keyboard...I always have to lean forward to change parameters to the Mac in front of me MIDI connected to the 01W...and I guess when the Kronos will arrive it's not gonna be different.....
From what I've read, some are comfy standing, some are not, so there's not a rule, other than testing both situation : seated, seems to be bad for me, and although I know some "swedish chair" are really good, apart for my knees, I will test the standing position to see if it will help..
LOL it's seem like I'm talking about Kamasutra....
Thank you again people, I read all your post with a lot of pleasure...
