Been struggling with aching neck and arms trying to learn to play Low D and tin whistles and flageolet and have been told I am not breathing properly (and all that). But I wonder whether it has to do with old age and chairs and how one sits. I see someone is discussing chairs built in the US specifically for musicians. Anyone tried em?
Tks
see here:
http://www.euroffice.co.uk/community/post/Should-offices-have-musical-chairs
No I have not tried them but they do resemble my favorite guitar playing chair.
These Concordia chairs were designed by George and Mira Nakashima. When my wife and I first married we lived just up the road from the Nakashimas. We became friendly neighbors although not close. His work is the stuff of wonder - natural, simple, organic. George did for many years cut timber at Martin Guitar’s saw mill. There are two of the Concordia chairs in the Picking Parlor at the factory. I played a few new Martins there last week and sat in one of the Nakashima chairs for over an hour - sheer bliss. They are, in my opinion, perfect for playing guitar.
That aside, a chair design may matter more for one instrument than it might for playing another. I think the key for playing woodwinds is to sit so that the lungs are allowed to fully expand or at least enough to play the necessary phrases in the piece you are working on. Some folk like to stand as they play. A comfortable chair can’t hurt and it might help.
Feadoggie
Have you tried this (and all that)?
I haven’t tried those, but the ones made by Wenger Corp
http://www.wengercorp.com/Chairs/index.html
really do help one to sit properly and also so help one to breath right because you are sitting right. We used them with a concert band I conducted and loved them. In fact, several mambers bought their own and continue to bring them to rehearsals. Wenger used to make a folding model but no longer do. I think the sold the rights to manufacture to someone else, but I’ve been unable to remember or find who that is.
The NJ Tech chairs look interesting, but Ive had no experience with them.
Chuck Boody
Beautiful stuff - maybe some swedish secondhand styles around might work.
I have just tried the Table Mountain variant but it seems like a Japanese tv game == it is giving me a terrific headache and my mar balls are dropping out (and not just from my head).
I think those small-people chairs are from Mordor’s counterfeit department and are weapons of torture:
Look what their original designers did to this guy’s eyes when they made him play ‘their’ tune! 
If you think your sitting posture might be a problem, have you tried playing while standing?
My experience comes from years of music in school, a Bachelor of Music Education degree, and teaching for years since.
The Wengers are good, but not the only game in town. I haven’t seen the NJIT chairs. But…
Any good kitchen chair, school chair, or stool is a good start. Basic is better, and I really prefer a stool. Think firm, sturdy, no arms, no casters. Both feet on the floor, sit forward, back away from the back of the chair. That’s where the stool helps - no back. Resting against the chair back is the first step toward slouching.
While in college, a trumpet professor used stacking chairs with his students. Two chairs stacked gave a little more lift and allowed better support from the abdomen. A really tall student used three. But trumpet requires more pressure than many other instruments.
My personal preference, for saxophone, is a high stool. More relaxed than standing, but definitely prevents me from slouching.
Whistle is not sax or trumpet. The volume of air needed is much lower, as is the pressure. How ever you can get comfortable, and keep your back straight, will be a good start.
+1 on standing, as well. If nothing else, as a method to remind you not to slouch.
Don’t worry, we won’t hold any of that against you. 
Loren
[Revival]
This stool is just awesome, worth every buck!!
The seat can be tilted in any angle and has wonderful slow foam! 
Just returned the stool back to the shop.
I believe a horizontal chair is best, if it’s the right height.
Sorry if i put anyone on the wrong foot 