The Best Music Stand: Shopping Guide and Recommendations (01/23)

Windsor 050151-BK Adjustable Folding Sheet Music Stand with Carry Case Black

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14.99 GBP

TIGER MUS49-BK Portable Easy-Folding Sheet Music Stand – Black

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13.00 GBP

PURE GEWA FX F900720 Orchestra Music Stand , black

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24.26 GBP

Telescopic Height Adjustable Foldable Music Orchestral Book, Paper & Mic Holder Tripod Stand (Book Holder Tripod Stand)

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14.95 GBP

Martisan Sheet Music Stand Holder/Portable Folding Music Stand Super Sturdy Adjustable Height Tripod Base Metal Music Stand, Lightweight & Compact for Storage or Travel with Carrying Bag, Black

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17.99 GBP

GLEAM Music Stand – 2 in 1 Dual-Use Desktop Book Stand Folding Music Holder with Carrying Bag

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14.99 GBP

Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a music stand

What do you need the music stand for?

If you are sure that you will only use your music stand at home and that you will never have to put it away, then a fixed music stand is also an option for you. In large living rooms, a music stand is also very suitable as a decorative element that can sometimes be used in a slightly different way, for example for self-painted pictures or books. For those who want to store their music stand in a drawer or take it to orchestra rehearsals, the foldable version is more suitable. Even if you can’t practise for a long time because of an injury, for example, or if you need the space in the flat for something else at times, we recommend the foldable music stand. You can simply fold it up small and put it in a cupboard or drawer and only unpack it again when needed.

Sooner or later, most musicians want to play music somewhere other than at home. Therefore, it also makes sense to buy a foldable music stand if you have a fixed music stand at home.

Which music stands are suitable for children?

Basically, almost every music stand is suitable for children. Since music stands are height-adjustable, even the standard models are suitable for children. The music stand grows with the child, so to speak. Here, for example, it is a good idea to choose a music stand in the child’s favourite colour. Children also like to decorate their music stands with colours and stickers. If necessary, you should make sure that everything can be removed without leaving any residue. However, if the coating is very robust, the metal music stands can also be easily treated with cleaning agents. If you have an old folding music stand and want to pass it on to your child, you should make sure that there is no risk of injury. With older models, the screws are often a bit more complicated and it is easier to pinch a finger. In this case, you have to consider whether it is worth buying a new music stand. In most cases, however, it is enough to point out the “problem screws” to your child.

What accessories are available for music stands?

There are a number of products that can be used together with the music stand. Not absolutely necessary, but very practical and sometimes funny gift ideas as an addition to the music stand – we have collected a few of them here for you: Very popular are pencils that are enclosed by a small magnet and thus stay on the music stand without falling off. They are very practical because no more pencils get lost. They also prevent the annoying noise when they fall off the music stand because you are leafing through the notes, especially in orchestra rehearsals. And they are definitely eye-catching! Of course, it also makes sense to get a storage and transport bag for the music stand. There are also larger plastic clips that you can use to attach the notebook pages to the music stand. This can be very practical, because especially new notebooks don’t easily remain open; in addition, at open-air concerts on windy days, you are protected from the notes blowing away. For orchestra players or people who like to play music in the evening, music stand lights are also interesting. These desk lights are simply attached to the upper edge of the desk with a clamp.

Did you know that every member of an orchestra has his or her own music stand? Since everyone is supposed to play different notes, everyone must have their own music stand. This is the only way that the different voices can play together harmoniously. Playing is also more pleasant if everyone has their own stand for their score.

Other music stand products include easy-to-install cup holders or storage boxes for pencils, erasers or instrumental accessories such as the mute for string instruments.

A music stand should hold your sheet music comfortably, but also be easy to transport. (Image source: pixabay.com / Leo_65)

Decision: What types of music stands are there and which is the right one for you?

Basically, you can distinguish between the following music stands:

Foldable music stands
Fixed music stands
Orchestral music stands
digital music stands
Table music stands

In the following, we explain the different types and their respective advantages and disadvantages. In this way, we want to help you find the music stand that is best for you.

Foldable music stands

Foldable music stands are very small when folded, making it very easy to bring them to orchestra rehearsals, for example. If you are not practising for a long period of time, you can simply store the stand in a cupboard. Music stands that can be folded up are often less stable because they fall over easily. In addition, it is not so easy to make notes on individual sheets of paper. Foldable music stands are usually made of coloured metal in all kinds of colours (black, white, red, yellow, blue, green, pink, etc.). Coloured music stands are less likely to be confused with each other, but sometimes they cannot be used at concerts, for example, when orchestras need uniformly black music stands. Either way, it is always advisable to attach a small name tag or a coloured ribbon as a means of recognition. If you want to make it even more personal, you can have your name engraved.

Advantages

Small size
Very mobile
Inexpensive

Disadvantages

Somewhat unstable
Not very decorative
You can’t write on it very well

Fixed music stands

The non-foldable, fixed music stands are only height-adjustable, but you cannot fold up the upper part, the music tray. They therefore take up a lot of space and are difficult to transport. On the other hand, they are more stable in the west and it is easier to make notes on the sheet music, which is why they are mostly used in orchestras and other ensembles.

Advantages

Stability
Design
Good for taking notes on individual sheets of music

Disadvantages

Unhandy
Heavy
Need a lot of space

Orchestral music stands

There are so-called orchestra music stands especially for conductors. They have additional side elements that can be folded out so that there is room for even more sheets next to each other. This allows the conductor to place more sheet music in front of him and have everything in view. This type of music stand is often made of wood.

Advantages

Stability
Design
Plenty of space for sheet music

Disadvantages

Unhandy
Heavy
Need a lot of space

digital music stands

For technology lovers and experienced professional musicians, the digital music stand is also interesting: it is a mixture of music stand and tablet PC on which the sheet music can be displayed in A4 size. This means that you don’t have to take as many “analogue” music books with you. But you are also dependent on the battery life and have to invest a lot of money.

Advantages

Stability
Design
No analogue music books necessary

Disadvantages

Heavy
Expensive
Limited battery life

Table music stands

Table music stands are rather small and are mainly used for instruments that can be played sitting down, such as guitar or recorder. However, because of the low flexibility, this type of music stand is not used too often. Here, too, there is the foldable version and the fixed one, often made of wood. Basically, it is a music stand that does not have the lower section with the height-adjustable bar and is therefore simply placed on the table.

Advantages

Small
Handy

Disadvantages

Not very flexible

Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate music stands

In the following, we will show you which criteria you can use to compare and evaluate guitar amplifiers. This will make it easier for you to get an overview and to decide on a suitable and effective device. In summary, these are the following criteria:

Mobility
Stability
Height adjustability
Material
Design
Size and weight

In the following, you can read about the respective criteria and find out why it makes sense for you to purchase a device based on the criteria or not.

Mobility

As already mentioned, there are foldable and fixed music stands. The latter are heavier and take up more space, so you can’t just pack them in a bag and take them with you, so they are less mobile. Foldable music stands are smaller and lighter, so even children can easily transport them.

Orchestral music stands are very stable, but difficult to transport. (Picture source: pixabay.com / taken)

Stability

Because of their light weight, foldable music stands can easily fall over. This is especially annoying in group rehearsals, when someone often has to walk between the music stands. Even a small bump can cause the music stand to fall over. Fixed music stands are much more stable, which is why they are often provided by music schools for instrumental lessons or ensemble rehearsals. Also, if you take a lot of notes while playing music, stability is important for you. Since the foldable music stands do not have a continuous surface, it is not possible to write well on them when you are only practising with individual sheets of paper. The sheet will get unsightly creases or even holes. This does not happen with the fixed music stands. For many customers, however, such a fixed music stand is out of the question because of its impractical size.

We therefore recommend for everyday use of the foldable music stand to simply place a book or sturdy notebook under the sheet of music so that you can write on it more easily.

Height adjustability

All folding music stands and almost all fixed music stands are height-adjustable. This means that the music stands can be used flexibly, regardless of whether you play music standing up or sitting down. This is also very practical because you don’t have to buy new music stands for children when they grow up – the music stand simply grows with them.

Material

Music stands are usually made of metal (often colour-coated) or wood. Wood looks more elegant, but it is also much heavier and somewhat more expensive than the cheaper metal version.

Design

The most common music stand is the folding music stand in black or silver. If you prefer something more individual, you can also choose a different colour or have your name engraved on it. In general, most music stands are classic and simple.

Did you know that some instruments have integrated music stands? Especially keyboard instruments where you absolutely need both hands to play have an integrated music stand. These include, for example, the piano or the organ.

Size and weight

A decisive criterion is the size and weight of the music stand. For adults, the music stand should reach a height of about 1.20 metres so that it is possible to practise while standing. If you want to buy a music stand for children, you do not need to pay any further attention, as music stands can also be set up for a height of 50cm. Foldable music stands are usually around 40 cm long when folded, so they fit easily into any cloth bag and are very easy to take along. The weight of course depends on the size and material. If you want a solid wooden music stand, you have to reckon with a relatively high weight. Small folding music stands usually weigh about one kilo, sometimes a few hundred grams less.

Important: If you want to buy a particularly light model, you should make sure that it is not too small!

Interesting facts about music stands

How do you unfold a music stand?

Unfolding a music stand is relatively self-explanatory: just loosen the screws one by one and unfold the individual parts.

More tips on unfolding the music stand:

The further apart the three feet are, the more stable the music stand is – but it is also easier for someone to trip over it!
The easiest way to set up the music stand is from the bottom up. First adjust the feet, then the height, and only finally fold out the top part, the music stand.
Never work with too much pressure! If you press the individual parts in the wrong direction, they can bend. This makes the assembly a little more difficult with each mail!

Can you build music stands yourself?

For passionate hobbyists, there is of course the possibility of assembling your own wooden music stand. There are many different instructions for this online. If you need a quick place to put your sheet music while you’re playing, because you’re waiting for your music stand to be delivered – we have a few creative emergency solutions for you here:

Find a shelf at a suitable height. You can lean your sheet music against a stack of books.
Use your noticeboard to pin your sheet music while you practise!
If you don’t have a pinboard, tape your sheet music to the wall or a window – but make sure you can remove it without leaving any residue!