I can only play sitting on MY stool. Is this normal?

[stem42]

Hi,

I play accordion since almost a year and I have a problem. To play my accordion I use a drummer's stool which I adjusted to achieve an ideal posture for playing. I always practice sitting on that stool. In a couple of occasions I have been out of my house playing the accordion and I couldn't believe how much of a problem it was to play without my stool. Especially if I sit too low I keep making mistakes and lose the ability to control the bellows properly.

Is this normal? Do I have to start bringing inflatable pillows to compensate for low chairs or benches? Do I have to start practicing sitting at different heights to become more flexible?

I'm really curious...

Thanks!

 

[JIM D.]

:tup: First of all, most all accordions were and are designed to be played when you are in a standing position. I've been using ( like most musician's who use a drummers throne when seated ) a throne for some 50 years now. Unlike a chair it can be adjusted to suit your needs. Sitting in a chair while playing by any point in time will cause most anyone unnecessary body aches and pains. There are still some accordionist's with stubbornness that play and practice sitting in a chair and complain from aches and pains, complain about the instrument size , and blame it all the accordion itself.
"Right is right & Wrong is wrong" You got it right !!! :tup:

 

[BobM]

:tup: First of all, most all accordions were and are designed to be played when you are in a standing position. Ive been using ( like most musicians who use a drummers throne when seated ) a throne for some 50 years now. Unlike a chair it can be adjusted to suit your needs. Sitting in a chair while playing by any point in time will cause most anyone unnecessary body aches and pains. There are still some accordionists with stubbornness that play and practice sitting in a chair and complain from aches and pains, complain about the instrument size , and blame it all the accordion itself.
Right is right & Wrong is wrong You got it right !!! :tup:

Yes to all of this. I use a old style Premier drum stool and I have worked out the hight and angles in case I have to use something else. Getting the playing position right can makes a big difference to how I play.

 

[fjsys]

perfectly normal. I have a roc-n-soc drummers throne that I use when practicing.

I also take it with me to lessons and when I am playing out.
Ben

 

[debra]

It's normal indeed: there is a "perfect" height for you and if you sit higher or lower it will be uncomfortable. For me as well when I sit lower I will more likely make mistakes (less so now on the cba than on a pa).
I always have a pillow in the car in case the seats for a performance are too low.

 

[goldtopia]

All the accordion orchestra that I have seen play sitting down. I play using a chair with a back which helps to save back ache. This to me would make more sense if you have a heavy accordion. Thinking that strong muscles would save you a trip to the chiropractors later is a mistake that a lot of people make. If you want to continuously play standing up it would be better to have a second smaller and lighter accordion.

 

[stem42]

Thanks for the replies! I really didn't realize what a big difference a few inches can make...

I'll definitely buy a solid inflatable pillow (for portability) to compensate for those low chairs and benches when I go out playing. Of course I'll bring my stool when that's a viable option.

Happy playing!
Ste.

 

[george garside]

presume we are talking about a ''stool non clinical''!

george :twisted: :lol:

 

[stem42]

... and today I learned a new word

 

[BrandyD]

I have been playing large accordions all my life. When I was younger I played on a chair, once I joined bands I then switched to bar stools, now I play on a drummers stool. I love my stool and it's set up for me. If my accordion goes out of the house, so does my stool, music stand, and computer with all my music on it (I don't play by ear).

Good luck!

Brandy

 

[bocsa]

presume we are talking about a ''stool non clinical''!

george :twisted: :lol:

No mention of Bristol, must be "non clinical" George :lol: :

 

[george garside]

the mind boggles!

 

[goldtopia]

I agree, playing sitting on a stool is much easier than standing on a stool.

 

[debra]

I played standing up for a few hours with some friends of mine (after a concert where we were sitting down). A friend with a Hohner Gola could not play for several weeks after that because of a back injury. I can play standing up for a bit with my "small" accordion (Bugari 505 ARS, around 12kg) but with my "big" one (Hohner Artiste X, 18kg) I definitely cannot.

 

[Soulsaver]

I agree, playing sitting on a stool is much easier than standing on a stool.

:lol: