tall folding music stand recs

[RobL]

I need to stop bending at the neck so much when I play . . . and I need to be able to play with my slide below the stand to be close enough to the music to see it . . . and I'm 6'5".

I see the tall Manhasset stands, but am also interested if players have recommendations of extra tall (durable) folding stands.

Thanks, Rob

[Doug Elliott]

Do you curently have a Manhasset? Regular or Voyager?
If so, I can make portable extensions.

[officermayo]

This is what I use.

https://www.ratstands.com/product/jazz-stand/

[vetsurginc]

I really like my Peak. Some say they are delicate. But I've had mine since pre-covid, no problems (you can get parts too). If you are outside in the wind you might want sandbags for the legs. But overall very steady.

[RobL]

Thank you for these responses, and Doug, I’ll be in touch regarding the Manhasset extension.

To clarify, I’m looking for recommendations for a folding stand that extends higher than the ones I currently have (bottom of desk 52”/1.3m from floor).

[AtomicClock]

Vekkia, which comes in 56 and 70 inch versions, is discussed in the following thread. But I have no firsthand experience.

https://www.trombonechat.com/viewtopic. ... ia#p239400

[officermayo]

To clarify, I’m looking for recommendations for a folding stand that extends higher than the ones I currently have (bottom of desk 52”/1.3m from floor).

I'm 6ft tall behind my Rat Stand.

[RobL]

Officermayo; because of my vision I need to be able to stand up straight with my slide under the stand. AtomicClock, I'm taking a look at the Vekkia. Thanks to you both.

[elmsandr]

Officermayo; because of my vision I need to be able to stand up straight with my slide under the stand. AtomicClock, I'm taking a look at the Vekkia. Thanks to you both.

Go digital, you can use the power of forescore and a page turner to zoom in. You can also use a stand with a gooseneck to get as close as you want… and plenty of mic stand options that will go upwards of 20’ if needed.

Cheers,
Andy

[RobL]

Interesting, Andy; I hadn’t thought about the gooseneck or boom option. I’ve stayed old school so far. What size tablet do you use/recommend?

[elmsandr]

Interesting, Andy; I hadn’t thought about the gooseneck or boom option. I’ve stayed old school so far. What size tablet do you use/recommend?

I recently got a used iPad Pro 12 inch. Or so. The bigger one. About the size of a sheet of paper and there are a ton of knock off brand K&M iPad stands on Amazon for about $35. Several with a boom or flexible gooseneck. With forescore you can set things to do half page turns and zoom as you need to see the music. I haven’t had to do that yet, but I have found that I can comfortably play with the tablet closer to my face than paper, as it doesn’t take up as much visual space as my folder with 2-3 sheets showing at once.

Cheers,
Andy

[tbonesullivan]

Just thought I'd chime in as I picked up... two Vekkia stands, one short and one tall, one with a solid desk / book table, and one perforated.

The desk alone is 2.4lbs perforated, or 2.65lbs solid, so getting the perforated desk saves you about 1/4 of a pound.

Packed in the bag, the short perforated stand is 6lbs, while the tall solid desk stand is 6.75lbs. The desk is 17"x 12", which is a bit smaller than the standard manhasset size.

[harrisonreed]

It takes a little getting used to, but keeping the stand low and having your slide over the top of it is probably better. The audience should be able to see you.

[timothy42b]

It takes a little getting used to, but keeping the stand low and having your slide over the top of it is probably better. The audience should be able to see you.

Not sure that will work with bifocals. You might need to get them reversed, far vision on the bottom.

[Geordie]

It takes a little getting used to, but keeping the stand low and having your slide over the top of it is probably better. The audience should be able to see you.

I’ve done this for several years with varifocals. Trial and error but worth it.

[stewbones43]

I have just bought a K&M 10062.
This is a standard, folding music stand but the desk shelves extend outwards to take 4 sheets of A4 paper. It means that you can extend the left hand half of the desk and have your music on that half of the stand, play with your trombone slide at the side or under the desk and see all the sheet without the centre support being in the way. It also means that you can read big band parts which are 3 or 4 pages long.

It cost me £38 from Thomann's a European online music store. I don't know the cost in the USA.

Cheers

Stewbones43

[tbonesullivan]

I have just bought a K&M 10062.
This is a standard, folding music stand but the desk shelves extend outwards to take 4 sheets of A4 paper. It means that you can extend the left hand half of the desk and have your music on that half of the stand, play with your trombone slide at the side or under the desk and see all the sheet without the centre support being in the way. It also means that you can read big band parts which are 3 or 4 pages long.

It cost me £38 from Thomann's a European online music store. I don't know the cost in the USA.

Cheers

Stewbones43

Those Are nice, and I have an old K&M stand from the late 1990s, I think the 10065 is the closest one they make now. It's outlived one K&M case already, and shows no signs of quitting. Only issue is playing outdoors with a folding desk is never fun, as the second I unfold it, the wind starts up. One of the big reasons I decided to get a VEKKIA is so I could have a portable stand with a solid desk that was still more portable than the usual solid desk types.

[stewbones43]

I have just bought a K&M 10062.
This is a standard, folding music stand but the desk shelves extend outwards to take 4 sheets of A4 paper. It means that you can extend the left hand half of the desk and have your music on that half of the stand, play with your trombone slide at the side or under the desk and see all the sheet without the centre support being in the way. It also means that you can read big band parts which are 3 or 4 pages long.

It cost me £38 from Thomann's a European online music store. I don't know the cost in the USA.

Cheers

Stewbones43

Only issue is playing outdoors with a folding desk is never fun, as the second I unfold it, the wind starts up.

I have an old, heavy "Generation" folding stand for outdoor gigs. It has substantial, fold down legs which are almost flat to the floor. I have also used as a conductor's stand both indoors and out. The desk folds down for conducting.

Cheers

Stewbones43

[walldaja]

I solved the bifocal issue by having a pair of glasses specifically cut for reading at the distance of the stand from my eyes. It's a mathematical any competent optician can do. Single best thing that improved my playing, no more losing a line of music on the transition from one lens to the other.

I agree with harrisonreed, playing above the stand is a much better option for several reasons. First you're seen, and second your stand doesn't mute your horn--especially if the other players are playing with an unobstructed bell.

We use band fronts in our swing band, there is no choice--you play over them. I think they're about 20 inches off the ground. If you have a solo, memorize it.

Once I got my prescription distance reading glasses I duplicated them on Zenni.com so I could have a cheap pair of glasses in each case.

Since them I have had cataract surgery and just use reading glasses for the distance. At $5 a pair they are certainly more cost effective.

[AtomicClock]

I've seen ads for novelty prism glasses that let one read in bed by refracting the line of sight about 80 degrees. I wonder if a shallower angle would be practical for low music stands.

[Doug Elliott]

Playing over the stand is great for performing, but for practicing at home I can understand playing under the stand to see the music better. I do that myself if I'm learning something new.

[AtomicClock]

My Vekkia stand, purchased in July '24, started sinking under the weight of my laptop. The threads on the adjustment screw had stripped. While that's not great, I can at least tell you that Vekkia sells replacement threaded knobs (and some of the easily losable plastic bits) on Amazon. Saved me from having to figure out screw thread compatibility at the hardware store. I'm sure it will happen again, so I guess there is a small recurring cost for this stand.