How to choose a suitable music stand

Good posture is an important part of learning to play the flute. From the very first lesson, it is worth developing healthy playing habits and paying attention to how you hold your body, particularly your head, shoulders, arms and back.

This applies to children as well as adults. A poor playing position can make the flute unnecessarily difficult to play and, over time, may contribute to discomfort and physical strain.

One simple way to encourage better posture is to use a proper music stand. I would strongly recommend avoiding the habit of putting your music on a desk, table or bookshelf, as this often means looking down or twisting your body while you play.

My recommended music stand for home use

For playing at home, one of my favourite music stands is the Manhasset Model 48. It is exceptionally sturdy, well made and designed to support heavy music books without constantly tipping over, collapsing or slipping down while you are playing.

It is not the cheapest music stand, but it is a piece of equipment that should last for many years. For a student who is going to practise regularly, I think it is well worth the investment.

If you need to take your music stand to lessons, rehearsals or concerts, however, a lightweight folding music stand will probably be more practical. The Manhasset is much better suited to staying in one place at home, where its stability and durability really come into their own.

Most importantly, position your music at a height that allows you to read comfortably while keeping your head and body naturally aligned. A good music stand won’t automatically give you good posture, but it makes developing healthy playing habits much easier.