Archive for sheet music stand

birdlandmusic | January 20, 2012
6 comments

Big Band Music Stand

What to do, What to do?  Any band leader faced with logistics of a band larger than 8 people is constantly confronted with problems multiplied by the number of  players in the band.

Providing the band with music is a never ending process of adding new music, requesting weekly that players keep the folders in order not to mention the all important music stand. While the fold up style music stand is very portable it cannot sustain the weight of most of the books carried by the larger bands.  Of course the Manhasset style orchestra stands do the job but are far from portable for a touring band.

Some manufacturers have solved the problem with “big band music stands” made of masonite.  However, with even a group of 5, it will be more than a few trips to the van, or the alternate of one heavy road case requiring the full attention of one or two people.

Humes & Berg, known for their products for big bands has solved this issue with the Swing-it music stand.  These music stands are light weight and fold up 5 to a container only weighing in at 30lbs each.  One player can bring in 10 stands at a time or 5 with his other hand free for carrying an instrument or music.

In attractive colors of red, white or black, these stands unfold unto a very solid and attractive sturdy stand which will make any band look top shelf for their performance.  Not to mention, even a 3 or 4 inch thick book will sit perfectly well on these stands.  A light hole is also included to run lamp cords. If you are so inclined you can take the stands to a printer whom can generate a computerized  logo from existing art work and make stick on logos for the front.

The Polymer corrugated cardboard construction is the secret.  Each stand weighing less than 5 pounds can make for a rugged long lasting stable music stand.  The one improvement which could be made would be to offer a stand up size as currently these really only accommodate a sitting band. Then can be used standing however you better bring your glasses.  Humes & Berg has this in the works to add a stand up swing it stand!

You can find more information on these stands @ birdlandmusic.net.  Big bands live, keep swinging!

L. Baritone Sax

Sammy Kaye Orchestra

 

Category: sheet music stand |
birdlandmusic | January 19, 2012
No comments

Sheet Music Stand or iPad Stand?

The iPad.-certainly a formidable contestant for a pile of sheet music.  10 years ago, who would of though of showing up to a gig with all your music in one fairly rugged tablet style box.  Well, the time has come when you can go to a jam session and have all 10 fake books at your finger tips.   Or you can pull out the special charts in a singers key. This list goes on and on with the possibilities with apps, instant downloads of music, and transposition on the spot.  Wow! I mean some things are just cool.

Many of us take out our iPad and set it on a music stand.  Simple easy and effective.  In fact, sometimes the best solution.   However, stand makers such as the world renowned German maker K&M have already come up with iPad stands.  Available in three versions, the iPad Clamp On Stand Holder, iPad Microphone Stand Holder, and iPad Wall Mount Stand.  Basically, one clamps on your mic stand allowing for a microphone in place as well, another attaches to the the threads on the top either on the boom or straight and one can screw into your wall or whatever else you would like it permanently mounted to.

So back to the original question “is it a music stand or iPad Stand?”  Well, this is a hard question to answer, as in the virtual world where notes & paper become pixels and code to share the same task at hand.  Perhaps the iPad stand will fall into the ranks of just a good old fashion plain old music stand.  It holds your sheet music right?

Steve Sutton

Product reviewer

Category: sheet music stand, Virtual Band |