My groups use "fronts" produced by Embee Ideas out of Saint Louis. They are light in weight, hold together well when erected, and look consistent and professional.
Mike Brooks counseled me when I bought my initial set that I should use the small ones (24" high, I think) for the front line (in my group, the saxophones). I told him that I and others had problems with these due to the distance to the music on the stand. He said that I would learn.
And, learn I did. If you use the intermediate height fronts (32", I think) when performing on a stage, take the time to go out to where your audience sits and take a look at some of your musicians sitting at their point in the front line. You will quickly learn that all that can be seen of the front line of the group is the tops of their heads. After I noticed this, I immediately went and bought a set of the shorter fronts for use on a stage. (If you are at the same level as the audience, the taller ones will work.)
However, there's still the "I can't see the music" issue. And, the answer to that is you (and the others) need to have the eyes to see the chart at the great distance. If this means glasses (as it did for me), you get a set and your music reading problems are at an end.
Many of the guys that I have worked with are reluctant (for whatever reason) to acknowledge that they need visual help. But, if you don't use the short stands, your band looks like a jumble of boxes and chairs. And, visual appeal is a good part of the image of any musical group.
When you go to the optical people, take a recent refraction from your ophthalmologist, and tell your optician that you need glasses specifically designed for reading music at whatever distance you need them for. You won't be able to see other things clearly when you wear them, but the music comes back into focus and you can use the short fronts.
Of course, if you all are ugly, then the taller stands might be the way to goââ⬦
Mike Brooks counseled me when I bought my initial set that I should use the small ones (24" high, I think) for the front line (in my group, the saxophones). I told him that I and others had problems with these due to the distance to the music on the stand. He said that I would learn.
And, learn I did. If you use the intermediate height fronts (32", I think) when performing on a stage, take the time to go out to where your audience sits and take a look at some of your musicians sitting at their point in the front line. You will quickly learn that all that can be seen of the front line of the group is the tops of their heads. After I noticed this, I immediately went and bought a set of the shorter fronts for use on a stage. (If you are at the same level as the audience, the taller ones will work.)
However, there's still the "I can't see the music" issue. And, the answer to that is you (and the others) need to have the eyes to see the chart at the great distance. If this means glasses (as it did for me), you get a set and your music reading problems are at an end.
Many of the guys that I have worked with are reluctant (for whatever reason) to acknowledge that they need visual help. But, if you don't use the short stands, your band looks like a jumble of boxes and chairs. And, visual appeal is a good part of the image of any musical group.
When you go to the optical people, take a recent refraction from your ophthalmologist, and tell your optician that you need glasses specifically designed for reading music at whatever distance you need them for. You won't be able to see other things clearly when you wear them, but the music comes back into focus and you can use the short fronts.
Of course, if you all are ugly, then the taller stands might be the way to goââ⬦