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Claire C., Pennsylvania

If you mean to turn it so that the narrow side is parallel to the piano. I don’t see why not. I’ve seen duet pianists do it with two benches so they can enough sitting room for each person rather than try to share a bench.

Carol B.

Yes. I’ve done that for years. You need to be sure the student is sitting far enough back to reach out far enough on the keyboard.

Fiona H., Australia

My 2 cents is that I wouldn’t – my preference is to teach students the skills to be able to play anywhere, anytime and this adaptation would inhibit this. They need the full bench for both solo and duets. My concern would be that changing the stool this way would mean they need to ‘unlearn’ this for the future.

I’d make up any little metaphor to help – they shouldn’t be able to slide if their hand position/distance/body shape is all correct.

I have noticed that my students who use a piece of cut foam (the exact size – depth/length of the piano stool) can’t move at all – their clothes grip on the foam. This might be a short term idea that you could get them to organize and use – just to help break the habit.