Do you know that frequently playing the piano keyboard can cause muscle spasms and finger stress? Well, I was researching the other day about this and found that if the keyboard stand does not give you the right playing angle and height, you can end up with stressed muscles and damaged fingers. The risks of injury, however, are further doubled if you are using multiple keyboards. More often, the upper keyboards will be off the right angle for convenient playing. So, you need to have the right stand to avoid such injuries. The required height of the keyboard stands for the sitting position is different from the standing position.
The Ideal Height for Piano Keyboard
Based on my experience and research, the ideal piano keyboard height should allow for the most convenient displacement of your arms and forearms. This means your forearm should be at a right angle to the piano. This means also that your forearm and arm should form a perfect right angle when rested on the keys of the pianos. To prevent muscle spasms, you should maintain these proper arm and forearm positions while playing the piano.
Maintaining the right distance from the piano is also important to prevent muscle spasms. With proper distance from the piano, your hands can zip up and down the keys without the risk of injuring them. So, you need to figure out the right distance from the piano while playing. Once you’ve found that sweet spot, you can then play the keyboard piano with ease and without worrying about injuries.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Ideal Keyboard Stand
The ideal height for the keyboard piano is that wherein you feel the utmost ease when playing the piano. Yet, it would help if you had the right stand to achieve this ideal height. Keyboard stands, however, are many! Hence, we have listed down the following important factors to consider to help you zero in on the right keyboard stand:
Durability and Strength
You should choose a stand that can sturdily support your keyboards. Heavier keyboards require more stable stands. Thus, forget about the price! So long it can provide your keyboard with stronger support, you should go for it.
The weight of the keyboard should also be a factor in your choice of a keyboard stand. If budget isn’t an issue, you should go for a sturdier stand. Avoid putting your keyboards at risk by scrimping on your budget for a keyboard stand.
During the buying process, you should check on the stand’s weight specifications. Check also if it is rated for more load. Besides, you should factor the weight of the keyboard and the additional weight of your playing arms. Once you’ve calculated the combined weight of your arms and the keyboards, then, you can select the right stand.
Check for the Center of Gravity
Every standing equipment, like the keyboard stand, has its center of gravity. If you’re using multiple keyboards at the same time, for example, then, you must figure out where the stand’s center of gravity lies. Failure to find it may cause the stand to topple down when you position both keyboards on it.
So, when positioning your keyboards on a multi-tiered stand, be extra careful. When using multiple keyboards, make sure that the keyboard on the higher tier is not so much off the center of gravity. Otherwise, the stand may tip over, and you may end up regretting having used the wrong stand.
Dimensions and Weight
When speaking of dimensions, we are not only talking about the size of the stands. We are also talking here about your size and the size of your keyboards. A lower stand will inconvenience you if you are a taller guy. Your legs will get cramped underneath the stand, and you’ll be slouching while playing the piano.
Ideally, the width of your stand should be four inches less than your keyboard. You should also check if a prospective stand is rated for carrying heavy keyboards on its second or third tiers.
Keyboards You Will Be Using
A single keyboard may only require a simple stand with no additional tiers. Yet, if you are going to use several keyboards, you must select a multi-tiered stand or have several stands set up in an “L” configuration. Some keyboardists want their keyboards stacked one over the other in a multi-tiered stand. Yet, others want each of their multiple keyboards on a separate stand.
Your Regular Venue for Your Gigs
Another factor to consider is the venue wherein you frequently have your gigs. If you are a regular performer in a cramped gig house with limited space on stage, you need to carefully consider the stand’s size you are going to purchase. You cannot simply bring with you a four-legged stand inside a cramped space. You should settle for something that leaves not much footprint.
Portability
You need to consider the portability of the stand. With multiple gigs in a day, you should go for a portable one. The four-legged stand, of course, is sturdier, yet, if you are required to make quick setup and pull-down, then, you must select something easy to set up and pull down. Moreover, go for something easy to transport from one venue to another.
Most Recommended Standing Position Piano Keyboard Stands
The average adult can get along well with a piano keyboard height of 28 1/2 inches. Yet, if you want flexible keyboard stands for playing while standing, you can check out the following most recommended piano keyboard stands for standing position:
Roland KS-18Z Keyboard Stand
Roland KS-18Z is a flexible keyboard stand and is an interesting stand option. It affords its user enough flexibility with a great level of adjustability. Moreover, it can support all types of keyboards. You can easily adjust its length and width, allowing you to use it, whether you are standing or sitting.
Another thing is that it is quite easy to set up and is very portable. You can quickly pull it down and fold it up with ease, which makes it very portable. Besides, it has a sterling design that suits both non-professional and professional usage.
Aside from its great flexibility, it also exhibits great durability and strength. It carries a Z-shape design—a design that is better than the X-shaped design. Trying this stand for the first time will make you think twice about going back to using the X stand.
This design, of course, is meant for supporting larger and weightier keyboards. Moreover, its weight is rated to support up to a 198-lb keyboard and can fit in any sizes of keyboards.
On-Stage KS7150 Table Top Keyboard Stand
The On-Stage KS7150 is well known for being a stronger stand. It is a fully adjustable model with a modern design that can support huge keyboards, including those heavy vintage digital pianos and DJ gear. You can also check its secondary riser sold by On Stage likewise if you want a second layer for this stand.
The KS7150 is a four-legged tabletop stand that sports a telescopic platform, allowing its user to adjust its width from 29″ to 43.5″. Its height is also easy to adjust because it features friction-locking knobs that you can line up with ease for proper positioning.
The KS7150 has a bolted and welded design and comes in a dark powder-coated finish. It’s sturdy enough for supporting the weight of up to 230 lbs. You can easily adjust its height with its easy to lock knobs. It also comes with support bars along with hinge for added support and strength. You can fold it flat for easy transport and storage.
Stellar Labs Heavy Duty Keyboard Stand (555-13830)
The Stellar Labs 555-13830 is a Z-style stand, well-regarded for its great stability and affordability. The Z-style stand, of course, is a heavy-duty one as compared to the X-style stand to support heavier loads. As such, this stand is designed to support almost all types of keyboards. It also comes with a separate adjustment for both height and width.
This keyboard stand provides its users with enough floor space. It features a square tube construction, equipped with foam strips for cushioning the base sections as well as the support arms. Furthermore, it provides its users with great convenience because of its push-button spring height adjuster. Thus, you can raise its height from 585mm to 895mm with ease. Its maximum load capacity is around 80 kg.
The Stellar Labs 555-13830, of course, lives up to its name as having stellar durability and strength. Its negative, of course, lies in its level of portability. What it lacks in portability, however, is compensated by its durability.
K&M Stands Table-Style Keyboard Stand
When it comes to durability, the K&M Stands 18810.015.55 will definitely not disappoint you. It is perfect for playing the keyboard piano while seated, though you can adjust its height easily according to your preferred height. It can accommodate keyboards of all types ranging from 25 keys to 88 keys.
This great looking stand is perfect for professional usage. It is also within the affordable range of keyboard stands. The range of its height is from 23.622 inches to 40.157 inches. It has a spring-loaded clamping mechanism for easy height adjustment. It also comes with four Velcro tapes for guiding its cable, and it features an engraved height scale.
You can also buy the attachment for this stand to transform it into a double-tiered stand. Other upsides in buying this stand include the fact that it is made of solid steel and it comes with a 5-year warranty. Lastly, this stand is quite light at 20.9 pounds and can handle a maximum weight of 176 lbs.
Ultimate Support AX-48
The Ultimate Support AX-48 is the pioneering keyboard stand with a column-style design. This stand, of course, has an unusual look that is both innovative and modern. It easily folds up and tears down, allowing its users great ease in transporting it.
This stand comes with tribar arms that come in two sizes of 13″ and 18″ for keeping the keyboard safely anchored. The height of its tiers, of course, is adjustable, letting you find the ideal height for playing your keyboard pianos. The AX-48 also comes with a built-in handle on its stand that allows its user to carry it with ease.
The AX-48 stands out from other stands because of its unique design. Its design also lets you pull it down and pack it up immediately. Its tier is 46 inches high, and each tier can carry around 125 pounds. Its weight is 19 pounds making it one of the lightest stands in the market today.
On-Stage KS7365EJ Pro
The good thing about this keyboard stand is that it can easily hold two keyboards without flinching. It features a Z-style design that folds ready for quick transportability. Yet, it is bulky enough to allow for easy transport.
The On-Stage KS7365EJ Pro is a professional-looking and heavy-duty stand. It lets you independently adjust its height and width to accommodate two keyboards at the same time. Designed ergonomically by experts, this stand can fit different types of keyboards from 55 keys to 88 keys.
Many keyboardists favor this stand so much, for it affords them great stability and can house keyboards well. Yet, it is not a perfect stand, for taller keyboardists often experience problems with its height. Hence, some users usually complain about this stand’s lack of height and limited settings.
The On-Stage KS7365EJ Pro is made of welded steel tubing and can handle up to 400 pounds of load with a 60-pound capacity for each tier. Users can adjust the tiers’ height from 24 inches to 38 inches. Moreover, it weighs around 29 pounds.
On-Stage Keyboard Stand (KS7903)
You would seldom find much three-tiered stands in the market today that offer sturdy supports for three keyboards. So, the On-Stage KS7903 is your best option if you are looking for a 3-tiered stand. Its A-frame style is perfect for multiple keyboard usage.
As an A-styled frame stand, it can sit at least three keyboards at the same time, while allowing you to perfectly adjust the height of the keyboards to get to the most convenient height for playing each keyboard. You can fold its legs because its legs are hinged, allowing you to move them when needed.
The On-Stage KS7903 also has a double lock system that supports its frame and adds extra stability. It is also equipped with non-slip rubber ends to keep the keyboard from falling off. Moreover, it doesn’t leave large footprints, and thus, it is perfect when performing on a cramped space or stage. Moreover, its usage is advantageous if you are going to utilize more keyboards because it lessens the time spent for setting up three stands.
Conclusion
Considering the above list of keyboard stands and the factors to consider when buying a stand, you can then quickly zero in on the right keyboard stand for your piano playing needs. Yet, if you are crafty and fond of DIY projects, you can also assemble a DIY piano stand that best suits your need. Such a project will prove the most useful and fulfilling to you, having been customized for your needs.
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