Bench height: stepped, stepless, precision?

iternabe

I have been using the kit bench since I started a few months ago. It is the most inexpensive X style bench. It's surprisingly sturdy, and quite comfortable. However the height only goes in big steps - like 2 inches. Two of the steps works for me. I feel the higher step works really well when finger/hands need to jump farther (like in arpeggios), while the lower step works well for controlling dynamics (especially when play softer). But the ideal height seems to fall in between.

So my question is, how picky do you find yourself in setting the bench height? Does plus or minus 1 inch from your ideal height bother you? How would that affect you long term beyond expressiveness, or in terms of fatigue, injury?

JB_PT

iternabe I think it's all very individual and you will just have to test it out. You could try the soft foam floor squares, which are often used for playroom floors. I've heard that piano teachers sometimes use those for their kids because they can stack however many are appropriate and they don't slide around (much, anyway?). Once you know the best height for you and/or how sensitive you are to small adjustments in height, you can decide if you need a more customizable bench.

BartK

Maybe use a pillow?

cheeeeee

I think one can tolerate a certain range of seating height. Beyond that it’d be too low or too high. Your performance as well as the health of your back can suffer as a result.