One of the most important things requisite to good piano-playing is the correct height and distance from the instrument of the performer's seat. If the seat be too low, one invariably loses power, and cannot easily manage the hand from the wrist in order to allow of the finger's going quickly over or under; 良好的钢琴演奏离不开钢琴和琴凳正确的高度和距离。若椅子过低，人会不可避免地失去力量，且无法轻松地利用腕控制手让手指快速移动；nconsciously the elbows will bend outward in an endeavor to bring the hands to a natural position best adapted to do their work. This is one way of determining whether the seat should be raised. 手肘会自动往外弯曲以让手形成最适合应对演奏的自然姿态。这是考量椅子是否该被升高的一种办法。 If too high, the fingers are deprived of some of their dexterity and freedom, and are apt to be pushed down with force from the arm instead of utilizing their own power, thereby greatly hindering rapidity and giving an uneven effect, which has been appropriately designated by one of my pupils as "thumpy-thump" playing. 若过高，手指会失去一部分灵巧和自由，且很容易被肩膀力量压下而非使用自己的力量，因此强烈阻碍速度以及连贯性，我的一个学生十分准确地戏称其为“狂轰滥炸”演奏法。 There is a happy medium, which allows the arm to swing freely in all directions from the shoulder-socket; this is the desired height, and can be easily ascertained by a few trials of the seat at different heights, by piecing the fingers upon the white keys as if playing and using them as a pivot, allowing the arm to swing sidewise as a pendulum, if the seat be too high a feeling of stiffness will be experienced in the muscles between the elbow and wrist; 有个折中办法可以让手臂从肩膀往多方向自由移动；将椅子调成不同高度，手指虚放在白键上作中心点，手臂左右晃动作轴，便可轻松确定这个理想的高度，若椅子过高，手肘到手腕的肌肉会感到紧绷； if too low, between the wrist and fingers; but if the right height is attained the arm will easily and freely swing without giving any impression of rigidity; if, however an error is to be made, I would advise that it be made in favor of the lower in preference to the higher seat.若椅子过低，便是手腕到手指的肌肉感到紧绷；但若坐到正确高度，手臂可以轻松自由地移动而不显得僵硬；无论如何，若是出现问题，我建议选择低椅子而非高椅子。After one has found the height best suited for him I advise one of those plain, stoutly-built, non-revolving office stools with the legs sawed to the right height; or a strong chair raised or lowered by the means of cushions.一旦找到最适合自己的高度，我建议选择牢固，不可转动，椅腿高度正确的普通办公椅；或者一个硬实的椅子，用垫子来调整高度。 For studio use I find a bench about twenty-one inches in height suitable for smaller students, and for adults a chair two inches lower, with or without cushions as necessary.琴行教学使用的话我觉得21英寸（约52厘米）高的长凳适合年纪小的学生，19英寸（约48厘米）高的适合成年人，依需要用坐垫调整。As regards the distance from the piano. Most persons are inclined to sit too near the instrument, thus hampering the loose actions of the wrist, elbow, and arm;再说到离钢琴的距离。很多人容易坐得离钢琴太近，妨碍了手腕，手肘，手臂的自由动作； rather sit somewhat away from the piano, just far enough to allow the first joint (from the tip) of the thumb to rest upon the white keys, but never, under any circumstances, so distant that the thumb when not in use will hang in front and below these keys. 尽量坐得离钢琴远些，给出让手指的（从指尖数起）第一个关节能放在白键上的距离，但绝不要在任何情况下坐得过远以至于手指在不使用时会处在这些键的前面或下面。When the correct distance is attained, the arm will easily pass to and fro before the body from one end to the other of the keyboard unhindered.处于正确距离时，手臂能不受阻碍地在身前的键盘两端不受阻拦地来回移动。Sit erect, by all means, as this is the most comfortable position that can be assumed. It allows easy natural breathing. Of a necessity the body will incline sidewise in the direction of a long reach made by either hand toward the ends of the keyboard;务必坐直，这是认知范围内最舒适的姿势。这能让呼吸通畅。有时在必要情况下身体得向手需够到的侧边倾斜；or if both hands should be used simultaneously at the extremes; or if a fortissimo finger- passage should demand pressure from the arm, bend the body forward a little over and above the keys, but not so low that people will think that you are near-sighted.或双手得同时到达钢琴两边；或强音需要手臂帮助施力，这时向前略弯曲身体到键盘上方，但别弯得太低让人觉得你近视。 At rests raise the hands only high enough to fall upon the next note with the desired power, but with the least expenditure of strength, and make no superfluous exertions, as this is a waste of strength and energy, and pianists as well as singers need reserved force to expend upon the climaxes. 休止时抬手抬到能给出下个音所需力度的高度即可，尽量少费力气，不做多余的动作，这会浪费力气和能量，而钢琴家及歌唱家得留足力气到高潮时释放。Are you afraid to venture because the world offers you no opportunity even if you do work hard and become worthy of success? Do you think there is no chance for you? Well, there isn't unless you have the courage to work and be faithful. You will be pushed aside, and some one who is braver and truer shall win the prize. 你会害怕冒险因为即便你很努力且值得成功但世界不给你机会吗？你觉得你没可能了吗？嗯，没有，除非你有勇气去努力并且充满信念。你会被推挤开，然后比你更勇敢且更真诚的人会获得成功。After proper guidance has been sought only you can do the work, only you can win your success, and only you shall receive the reward.—Eugene Thayer.在有适当的引导后剩下就靠你自己了，只有你能让自己取得成功，而且只有你应获得奖赏。
