Why Chair Matters (Especially for Adult Beginner Cellists)

As a cello teacher, I work with many adult beginners, and often people don’t realize how much the chair influences both comfort and playing technique.

When playing the cello, we naturally lean slightly forward. If the chair seat tilts backward, it pulls the pelvis backward and forces the lower back muscles to compensate by keeping you upright. This leads to tension and fatigue in the lower back as your back muscles are constantly active to counteract the backward pull of the chair.

Do you still remember? We naturally lean slightly forward when playing the cello.

Now let’s look at body mechanics:

Men generally carry more upper body mass (shoulders, torso), giving them a higher center of gravity. That allows men to sit comfortably on a full chair seat while still being able to lean forward into the instrument naturally.

Women usually have a lower center of gravity, which means they often need to sit on the front half or even on the edge of the seat to allow their upper body to lean slightly forward and bring more natural arm weight into the bow without unnecessary muscular tension.

Now the chair itself:

• Choose a flat, firm chair - a simple flat table chair works well.

• The seat must be completely parallel to the floor - no backward tilt.

• When seated, your knees should be at about 90–100 degrees (thighs approximately parallel to the floor).

A flat, stable seat allows the pelvis to stay neutral, supports spinal alignment, and frees the upper body for relaxed bowing and movement.

In short:

The right chair position supports healthy biomechanics, prevents unnecessary lower back tension, and helps you use your natural body weight for beautiful tone production.

Stay healthy and enjoy your cello journey! ♥︎