Freedom to Play with Healthy Posture

Far too many professional musicians suffer from debilitating pain in the lower back, spine, and neck. If we want to do more than merely treat the symptoms, musicians must learn to sit correctly from the very moment they begin playing as children.

The physical challenges faced by professional musicians can in many ways be compared to those of elite athletes. However, unlike athletes, musicians typically have much longer careers. Many professional musicians begin playing at the age of 4–6 and continue throughout their entire adult lives—unless physical strain forces them away from the stage for shorter or longer periods to recover from overuse injuries.

This was documented in the research project Projekt Musiksundhed (Music Health Project) conducted by the University of Southern Denmark in 2010. The project showed that in the most severe cases, musicians may be forced to leave their profession entirely due to work-related injuries.

The issue of physical strain is well recognized within the industry. As a result, many orchestral musicians are offered services such as massage therapy and access to fitness facilities. However, if we want to truly address the root cause of the problem—not merely treat the symptoms—we must intervene much earlier.

Poor habits and improper use of the body often begin in childhood. Chairs that are too high, or chairs that do not tilt forward, contribute to poor playing posture. This was the starting point for developing an orchestra chair for children designed to ensure a free and ergonomically correct playing position.

In close collaboration with ergonomists, Alexander Technique teachers, and music educators, the OktaviaChair was developed. The seat can be adjusted seamlessly so that the child always maintains proper contact between their feet and the floor. In addition, the seat tilts forward by 5 degrees.

When the seat tilts forward, it helps maintain healthy blood circulation—something that can be restricted if the seat tilts backward and the child’s feet cannot reach the floor.

The chair is easy to adjust before sitting down. This is entirely intentional, as it helps create calm—something that is even more important when several children are playing together. The chair is stackable, and in many music schools, young users take responsibility for bringing out their chair, adjusting it themselves, and beginning to play.

Today, OktaviaChair is part of many young musicians’ first steps into a lifelong relationship with their instruments.