Organists resort to desperate measures to sort out the organ bench so they have a sporting chance of actually playing the thing.
A review of the options, with star ratings.
Solution #1 A time-honoured classic, and well-executed, to my mind. SCORE:
Solution #2 Another version of the classic design, but a little shaky in execution. SCORE:
Solution #3 The flooring offcuts version. Inexpensive, sturdy, and highly adjustable. SCORE:
Solution #4 This one is cleverer than it looks. The trays under each end of the bench invert, providing two different adjustment heights. Should be within the skillset of a decent DIYer. SCORE:
Solution #5 Someone bunged a bit of spare music under the bench five years ago, and it’s been there ever since. SCORE:
Solution #6 Furniture risers: designed to create more space under heavy furniture, such as beds. Possibly a bit fiddly – they get a tentative 3 stars as I haven’t actually tried them. Your thoughts welcome. (Manufactured in the US – find them online as Raise-Its.) SCORE:
Solution #7 The wash-leather technique. I still use this if I feel I’m slipping off the front of a slightly too-high bench. I’ve been told of women carrying round a rubber bathmat to the same purpose. SCORE:
Solution #8 What every organist really wants – the REALLY adjustable bench. Always a joy encountering one of these. SCORE:
I have met with another version of the adjustable bench, with two long metal rods to insert through holes, front to back, pegging the top at a choice of four heights. But it was a fight to line them up, and easy to pinch your fingers in the process: not conducive to good temper, let alone a happy practice session.
SCORE:
What’s the verdict?
We know one reason why many organs don’t have properly adjustable benches – they are expensive (usually a four-figure sum, whether in pounds or dollars). Gas-lift versions of organ benches are appearing on the market, with a mechanism like an office chair. They are not particularly elegant, but the price tag is well inside that of a handcrafted wooden item. (Note that some gas-lift benches advertised online simply won’t work as an organ bench as the legs/stand/feet don’t span the pedalboard.)
The Adjustable Benches Campaign
The Society of Women Organists is addressing the issue of shorter people (male or female, young or old) not being able to reach or play the pedals comforably, with their Adjustable Benches Campaign. They are currently investigating a design for a gas-lift bench for pipe organs – I will let you have more news as soon as I hear it.
And if you’ve seen interesting versions of any of the above – successful or otherwise – please do send me a picture!
