Adult learners often adjust bench height while overlooking distance from the keyboard. Sit too close and the elbows are crowded beside or behind the torso. When the hands travel towards either end of the keyboard, the arms have no lateral room, so the player compensates by lifting the shoulders, twisting the body or bending a wrist sideways. Too far away is no better: reaching forwards shifts weight into the shoulders and upper back instead of leaving it supported through the sitting bones and feet.
There is no universal measurement in centimetres. Yamaha’s basic guidance is to sit on the front half of the bench and allow free movement from the arms through to the fingertips. Piano-pedagogy guidance often uses an open elbow angle as a check while explicitly allowing individual variation. These are positioning references, not medical prescriptions that guarantee freedom from injury.
The more useful test is the playing task. With both hands near the middle of the keyboard, the forearms should not be forced against the torso. Then reach towards the lowest and highest octaves. The body may move with the direction of travel, but it should not first have to retreat to make room for an elbow. If a change in distance makes both sound and movement more natural, it has reduced compensation rather than discovered a perfect photograph. Recheck the distance when body proportions, bench height or the range of the piece changes.
When practising from a score with <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scoreflow/id6796205656">ScoreFlow</a>, keeping the score position clear can also help you notice whether you are still leaning forwards to read. It cannot choose your posture, but it can remove one reason to pull the body towards the screen.
https://au.yamaha.com/en/musical-instruments/pianos/explore/musical-instrument-guide/piano/play/play002.html
https://hub.yamaha.com/music-educators/instruments/piano/piano-pedagogy-fix-basic-technique/
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