Balance, Posture, and Relaxation

Posture

The key to achieving a sense of balance at the organ bench is to sit with good posture, yet maintain a state of relaxed alertness. It is easy to collapse when sitting in a relaxed state, but it is difficult for a “collapsed” organist to maintain good balance. Many organ techniques require precise balance at the bench.

The mere mention of the word “posture” usually inspires anyone within audible range to suddenly straighten up--an artificial stiffening in the upper body as one tries to correct slumping posture. But good posture at the organ bench should not feel artificial and stiff.