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Are there any piano chairs with back support?

I currently use a classic piano bench, and it is very difficult for me to keep a good posture without a back support. I know I am supposed to sit straight without support, but I have chronic fatigue, and need to be able to sit back and relax every once in a while during the practice to prevent myself from exhaustion.

Would computer chair be ok to use or it needs to be sturdier?

Will appreciate any feedback.

I use a chair. It's fine, just don't slouch and keep good posture and position.

There is a adjustible piano chair I just saw for sale on Craigslist in the Seattle listing. Might want to check it out.

I think anything without arms would be fine. I used to use a dining room chair to support my back. For some reason I no longer experience back pain at the piano, though (at least no more so than anywhere else), so I've returned to the bench. I would not want the chair to recline, though.

Are there any piano chairs with back support?

Well, yes:

http://www.dlarch.com/Temp-attetude.html

...but I doubt that's what you had in mind....

This is the traditional design. If you do a Google search, the best way is to look at images, and you will find a number of people who offer various versions. This was the first one that came up for me.

Rich Galassini at Cunningham Piano Company came up with a piano chair for my uncle, who needed back support when playing the piano. You might want to check with Rich about where he got it. My uncle loves it, by the way; he plays 4-5 hours a day, and the chair works perfectly.

Even with a straight backed chair, one can still slouch if not focused on an erect sitting posture. And then even more, slouching invariably increases with fatigue.

As an alternative I prefer a lumbrosacral support to brace the lumbar spine and deter the sorts of back rounding. Specifically, I favor a lightweight padded nylon “weightlifting” belt typically found at a local sporting goods store that is stiff enough to slightly increase intra-abdominal pressure and to prevent the lower torso from “folding in.” Make sure that it primarily covers the waist rather than the hips. Be careful not to choose a purely elastic belt that lacks a degree of stiffness as that type will be useless.

The rational for wearing a belt when sitting is that the intra-abdominal pressure increases as your abdominal structures share more of the compression load with the spinal stabilization muscles. Remember, that lower back support is dependent on both para-spinal and abdominal muscles. Often, the state of the abdominals are overlooked in regards to lower back stability. During sitting, both lower back and abdominal muscles contract to stabilize the lumbar spine.

I started using a quick-release thick leather belt during the competitive bodybuilding squat & dead-lift years, and then started using thinner nylon supportive belts with Velcro closure for non-lifting activities. I’ve been using belts for 20+ years when sitting for long periods be it at the piano, while at work or when traveling long distances. On a long trip I won’t leave home without one.

I wrote a lengthy post earlier today but I guess I didn't Submit it.

Just because you're looking for a chair for your piano doesn't mean it has to be a piano chair per se.

I'm in the market for a new chair since I cannot buy a replacement gas cylinder for my more than 20 year old office chair. (I've learned a lot of information in the last week regarding repairing and replacing parts on office type chairs.)

At any rate, office chairs come in many shapes and sizes. I'm now looking for a mesh type chair with a high back. Don't rule out office chairs for piano use; they're very comfortable and infinitely adjustable. The chair arms on just about every single office chair can easily be removed (or you can even order chairs without arms and save some money).

That is the most ridiculous piece of furniture I've seen in quite some time.

Here is a nice piano chair:

http://www.cpsimports.com/Adjustable_Piano_Chair.html

If one sits on the forward 1/4 of the seat the straight back will not touch the body unless one is leaning far backwards. And if one is sitting back to utilize the chair's back the legs and thighs mobility will be hampered.

drum thrones with backrests provide lots of flexibility, e.g.:

Just like Dave Horne I was using an office chair, without arms, but it had wheels. I looked at getting a drum throne with back, but balked at the metallic 'rock' designs. Then there was another thread on adjustable piano chairs and I was off, until I saw the prices. Ridiculously high IMHO.

I ended up, just like someone else on this thread with a dining chair. I tried quite a few, but it's smart, matches my (digital piano) and was one time user adjustable when I got it home. Oh, and a LOT cheaper than a so called piano chair.

I am currently using a Roc-N-Soc drum throne that I got at guitar center. Here's a link to their page at Roc-N-Soc:

http://www.rocnsoc.com/lunar-series.html

It is the red throne at the top of the page.

I am using the "LSG" "O-K" seat with the "W/B" backrest. Very comfortable. I have a bad back right now (I threw it out a week ago) and this is helping me to cope.

My old teacher for the longest period of time had a chair that could not only ajust height, but slope as well. One of her students broke it, but I would love to have someone make me one that could do that.

http://www.concertdesign.com/piano_bench.html

I am currently undergoing Phys Therapy for an upper back issue (Rhomboid strain). When I sit at the piano for more than 15 mins I get an excrutiating burning pain. Part of it is due to having my arms in a somewhat static position of 90 degree bend for a sustained period.
So, I am wondering why not use an office type chair with adjustable arm rests? As long as just the elbows rest on the chair it should not be too intrusive and as mentioned above, most office chairs these days have multiple adjustments.

Thoughts?

Cobra, when you play the piano, if someone were to flip your hand\wrist up and away from the keyboard in one swift move, would your arm fly away or be locked in place to the keyboard?

I only mention this to rule out incorrect gross technique ... using the correct set of muscles. If your arm flies away, great, if it doesn't that could be the source of many problems.

Dave,
Thanks for the feedback. I've only been playing since May of last year and am mainly self taught. So, there are probably A LOT of Gross techniques! I have only recently started getting some assistance from a co-worker that used to do some instruction (mainly children). She has mentioned that I tend to sit too close to the piano.
I'd like to think My hands/arms are not that rigid, but I will check tonight when I sit down to practice!
Again, thanks for the suggestions and I will try to look for that inconsistency!
Cheers
Mike