When I was first introduced to the MUSIC RISER I had no idea what it was. It was explained to me that it raises the music off the stand making it easier to read. My first question was, “Why can’t you just raise the music stand”? That seemed like a legitimate question and then I was reminded that when you play in a dance band, most of the times you are playing on painfully low dance band fronts which cannot be raised. That was true and then my interest was piqued. I tried one on a job that night and have never been without one since.
The concept is very simple. Most trumpet players are in the habit of placing a plunger, mute or billfold on the shelf of the dance band stand in order to get the music up high enough to see. So someone decided it would be better to elevate the music about two inches higher whereby the bottom of the music could more easily be seen and read. Most often the ledge of the dance band front covers the lower line on each page. This really works and I have never had any problem reading the bottom line on any chart. Another benefit is that the music is higher and better lit by the stand light. The older I get, the more I appreciate these little things.
Another feature built into the riser is a place to keep a pencil for handy use during rehearsals. This must have been designed by a player! The MUSIC RISER’S shelf is transparent which is also handy for better lighting on your music. The two inch rise also gives you the opportunity to rest mutes on your stand without interfering with page turns.
From my own experience, this works very well for your big band jobs and is also handy on a Manhasset stand when you want to store your extras on the stand and still be able to turn pages. The design is simple and the workmanship and materials are first rate. The cost is $18.95 including shipping.
If you are interested in the Music Riser, contact me at this site.
