Here’s my solution to staying put on the organ bench. OK, so I need to develop the posture and muscle tone to perch and swivel with nonchalance, but I’m still finding my feet, and need the trainer wheels at the moment. Toes-only repertoire isn’t too bad – Bach is fine. But if I have to use heels I find myself slipping.
This is a piece of suede I found amongst my sewing things, but I expect a car cleaning shammy leather would work just as well.
(I was told of a lady organist, also with short legs, who carried a rubber bath mat around with her for similar purposes. However she was slightly forgetful, and used to leave it behind, to the great puzzlement of the churchwardens.)
Update 2014: Nearly a year after I made this original post, I can happily say that I really don’t need this help any more EXCEPT at one church, where the (pine) bench has been lovingly varnished and buffed to a high gloss by some misguided enthusiast.
Nothing like jumping on the organ bench and going on a magical mystery tour courtesy of the cleaning crew who’ve given it a high polish!