piano music stand

[ella8]

I am an a-level design student, and for my course i have to design a new product. I have decided to base it on piano music stands, but to do this i have to do alot of research. I need as many people as possible to fill in this questionaire below. If possible, please could you fill in the answers and post back to me or message me back on here if you have any relevant information.
 1.   What is the smallest size of music sheets you know of?

2.           What is the largest size of music sheets you know of?

 3.             Do you prefer the stand to be adjustable or set to one angle?

4.             What make of piano(s) do you have?

5.            On your piano(s) is the music stand on top of the piano or on the inside of the piano lid?

6.       Is it more important for the extension to be secure or to fit on quickly?



7.   What sort of weight would you think is acceptable for the extension? As it is going to be designed to be carried around.


8.   What material would you prefer it to be made out of?


9.   Is there any suggestions on how the extension would fit onto the already existing music stand?


10. Any other comments you would like to make which you think would be helpful.

Thank you to anyone that messages me back
Ella8

[oxy60]

I'm building a stand based either on a keyboard stand rack mounts or on a rugged "conductor" type music stand. I'm putting the light underneath and making the width to accommodate 4 pages, A4 or letter size like the ones which are available here. I play on rack mounted keyboards.

For a grand piano I would like something that would slip over the existing rack and go all the way across the entire width of the keyboard. It would be great to not just lay the music across the tuning pins (after I remove the rack) and sort of crane my neck to read it.

Here on this board the classical players generally memorize the music as soon as possible and don't face the challenge of recording/performing right from the score.

Good luck! Would love to see what you come up with.

[Bob]

1. Small hymnal.

2. 11 x 17 copy paper.  Standing tall, not on its side.

3.  Adjustable.  The more options, the better.

4. Grand, upright, keyboards.  You know, the usual.

5.  On top.

6.  Secure, but still removable.

7.  Light but not cheap plastic.

8.  Wood.  Or higher quality plastic.  Maybe that hard clear plastic.

9.  Maybe have it fold out over the whole stand?  As opposed to attaching on the sides.

10.  Maybe some clips to hold lots of pages in place?  And a stand light while you're at it designing things.  A light that is freestanding from the performer's side so it doesn't matter what kind of piano it is.  A light that can be moved and positioned however the performer wants it.  And one that's not too expensive. 

[quantum]

1. Miniature score, or the things marching bands use to clip to their instruments

2. 18 x 24 sketchpad (x2 when you open the book for a two page spread)

3. Adjustable.  0 - 90 degrees would be nice.  

4. grand, vertical, organ

5. on top

6. be secure.  You want it to stay in place even if the page turner uses it to prop up their elbow.

7. Something light.  Maybe it could fit in a typical keyboard bag.  

8. Aluminum, magnesium alloy, carbon fiber reinforced plastic.  Whatever, as long as it is light yet does not compromise structural stability.  

9. Some stands fold back, others fold forward.  It would have to work on both.  

10.  It would be wise to keep in mind sightlines with conductors or soloists while using the stand.  

Some people like to stack their music on the stand. The pile could grow to 3 - 4 inches thick with books, especially when hymnbooks are used. 

[richard black]

 1.   What is the smallest size of music sheets you know of?

The smallest I ever want to put on the piano desk are miniature study scores, about 7 inches high.

2.           What is the largest size of music sheets you know of?

I occasionally get given A3 music sheets (portrait orientation), but that's really quite rare and not a good idea. Otherwise the tallest is about 13 inches - some French editions use paper that big.

 3.             Do you prefer the stand to be adjustable or set to one angle?

Depends on other details - I like adjustable angle on grand piano desks because the base is usually fixed and I set the back at a shallower angle to keep fat opera scores open, and a steeper angle to stop loose sheets sliding off.

4.             What make of piano(s) do you have?

Ibach upright, Bechstein grand.

5.            On your piano(s) is the music stand on top of the piano or on the inside of the piano lid?

The Ibach has the usual piece of wood on the fallboard (full length, usefully) and the Bechstein has the usual grand piano desk, which I have removed from its runners and put on top of the (closed) piano lid - helps keep dust out.

6.       Is it more important for the extension to be secure or to fit on quickly?

It needs to be both!

7.   What sort of weight would you think is acceptable for the extension? As it is going to be designed to be carried around.

Ideally not much more than 1kg.

8.   What material would you prefer it to be made out of?

Probably blow-moulded ABS. You could make a shape that's got ridges to make it rigid and it still would weigh very little.

9.   Is there any suggestions on how the extension would fit onto the already existing music stand?

Ideally just sit on it, on grippy rubber feet.

10. Any other comments you would like to make which you think would be helpful.

I envisage a grand piano desk designed to sit on the closed lid, which would support the music with its base just a little lower than the top of the lid. I'll try to make a sketch and post it.

[oxy60]

One additional point that you should consider is that the bottom of where the music rests should be at right angles to the back. Check out the Casio AP-500. Notice the angle is greater than 90 degrees requiring them to put a lip to keep the music from falling forward.

(I'm stuck with an AP-500 as a practice piano for the next three months while I'm on the road. It's in the studio of a Casio dealer.)