I have fibromyalgia, two wedge fractures in my thoracic spine, and a bulging L5 disc, as well as a pronounced kyphosis from hanging large pieces of metal from my neck for 45 years (I play alto, tenor, bari, soprano, clarinet, flute and oboe). I have tried multiple office task chairs to sit in when practicing; after the first hour or so of standing, I really can't concentrate, due to the pain, so I like to do at least some of my practice in a sitting position. I especially like to sit when practicing flute and clarinet; in a chair with armrests, I can rest my right elbow on the armrest while playing long-tones on the flute, but, obviously, when I'm playing one of the saxes, the armrest gets in the way. Most task chairs are too low to get the right posture, and most architect chairs are too high; I found a chair right in between (about 22.5" from floor to seat), with armrests that swing up out of the way when I don't need them, but the backrest leans back too far, thus providing no support, and I can't get it to tilt forward at enough of an angle. I've read other threads on this forum, but haven't seen anything that truly addresses this problem. At this point, I've tried a lot of chairs and drum thrones, and I'm getting frustrated at my inability to solve this problem.
I actually play all genres of music, playing in about 7 different groups, although I prefer to play jazz the most. Nevertheless, even though I'm in constant pain on the gig, I make really good money when I swing my tenor while doing dance moves in a dance band, and you wouldn't know that I'm 56 and in pain if you were to see me on one of those gigs. But when I'm home in my own studio, just trying to concentrate on what I'm practicing, but fighting the pain, that's when it really sucks to not have better ergonomics available to me.
Any ideas? I sure appreciate them.
I actually play all genres of music, playing in about 7 different groups, although I prefer to play jazz the most. Nevertheless, even though I'm in constant pain on the gig, I make really good money when I swing my tenor while doing dance moves in a dance band, and you wouldn't know that I'm 56 and in pain if you were to see me on one of those gigs. But when I'm home in my own studio, just trying to concentrate on what I'm practicing, but fighting the pain, that's when it really sucks to not have better ergonomics available to me.
Any ideas? I sure appreciate them.