First three months I practiced at my kitchen table. The keyboard was too high. My wrists angled up. My back hurt constantly. I thought this was normal – "piano is hard on the body."
Then I got a proper bench. Adjusted the height. The pain disappeared in a week. Turns out I was just set up wrong.
Setup matters more than most beginners realize. Bad ergonomics don't just cause pain – they limit what you can play and create bad habits that are hard to fix later.
Height: When sitting at the keyboard with hands on keys, your forearms should be roughly parallel to the floor. Maybe slightly angled down toward the keys. If your wrists are angled up, the keyboard is too high. If you're reaching down, it's too low.
Most keyboards on regular tables are too high. You need either a lower table, an adjustable keyboard stand, or a higher seat. Adjustable piano benches exist for this reason.
Distance: Sit far enough that your elbows are slightly in front of your body, not tucked at your sides. Your arms should move freely. Too close = cramped movement. Too far = reaching and tension.
Bench height: Your thighs should be roughly parallel to floor or angled slightly down. Feet flat on floor or on pedals. If you're on tiptoes or your knees are way up, adjust.
Chair vs bench: Piano benches are flat and usually adjustable. Regular chairs have backs that get in the way of proper posture and fixed heights that are often wrong. A real bench is worth the $50-80.
Lighting: You need to see the keys and any sheet music clearly. Natural light from the side is ideal – light directly behind you creates glare. A dedicated music stand light helps for evening practice.
The space itself: Ideally somewhere you can leave the keyboard set up. Having to assemble your practice space every time adds friction. A corner of a room that's always ready beats a folding table you have to clear.
Acoustic considerations: Hard floors and bare walls reflect sound harshly. Carpet, curtains, and soft furniture absorb sound. This matters more for acoustic pianos but affects how you hear yourself on digital too.
For the actual equipment to put in this space, see my keyboard buying guide and headphone recommendations.