Using a music stand

Subject: RE: Using a music stand
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 10:03 AM

Lou and Peter Berryman use a stand. I was amazed to see it but they didn't worry about it at all.

Once, at Mystic Seaport, I saw one of those high caliber musicians using a cute little stand that sat down low, about ankle level. It was unobtrusive yet kept the words available for emergency use. The musician? Rick Fielding.

Subject: Using a music stand
From: IanN
Date: 02 Jan 03 - 09:58 AM

Recently I've noticed a lot more artists than I have in the past using music stands and referring to sheet music & lyrics when playing. I've always thought this was frowned upon and as such have strived (without much success) not to rely on them myself. I feel much more comfortable with something to refer to
and, although I hardly look at my notes, it makes me much less nervous and therefore perform better.

The calibre of artists I've seen using a stand recently makes me wonder if I should give up my quest to be "stand-free".

Thoughts?

Ian.