“Holy Grail” horn stand?

acritzer · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 6:48 am Post subject:

Torpedo case. Pop the mouthpiece into your pocket and slide the horn in. Sits upright, easy to use and very protective.

trickg · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:04 am Post subject:

OldHorn · Regular Member Joined: 26 Dec 2017 Posts: 90

Craig Swartz · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:16 am Post subject:

Way off topic, but:

https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/lost-violin-and-owner-are-reunited-again/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/07/usa.classicalmusic

https://www.mercurynews.com/2009/08/18/gps-helps-find-18th-century-violin-left-in-new-york-taxi/

I think Josh Bell might be in there somewhere, too. Stuff happens- take care of your own!

Brad361 · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 10:12 am Post subject:

trickg · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:48 am Post subject:

dstpt · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1286

Option 1:

Is it possible for you to store your case immediately behind and underneath the stage platform? That way it is close to you when the break comes. I did this recently for an Amy Grant/Michael W. Smith concert tour date. I even asked permission from one of the sound guys in advance, who confirmed it was okay. Sometimes it helps to have an extra $5 Starbucks gift card to hand to one of these guys/gals when asking a special favor like this.

Option 2:

If the band is on the floor, then obviously there is no hiding the case closely to your person. However, I just thought of another design idea for this scenario: What if you had some foldable, black cardboard that could be expanded to conceal the case (perhaps while standing on end) behind you or directly to your side? Maybe that would have enough of a dressy look that “management” would not give you any grief for having the case on stage. In one way, that look might not be much different than an exposed stage monitor. For a few bucks and a little bit of a hassle toting, maybe this would fly, at least in some venues. Or for that matter, maybe you could make the black cardboard "look" like a stage monitor(!) and just keep the case in prone position behind it! Now someone needs to market this idea!

Option 3:

Especially if you have trumpet and flugelhorn or other doubles, you could consider the route of using a microphone stand with pipe insulation wrapped around and adding a couple K&M 157 Trumpet Holders. This would be a possible alternative to using a traditional trumpet stand, especially if you are on a temporary riser/platform, which always tends to be very wobbly. I have joked recently on TH, displaying my “Trumpet Tree,” but I have used it without issue in a pit situation (for two horns only!) and feel safer with it than a regular trumpet stand. It is super sturdy, albeit a hassle to tote to and from the gig. You get more mileage for extended shows, of course, leaving the stand in place until the end of the run.

Again, taking it to a ridiculous extreme, it looks like this…

https://www.dropbox.com/s/o18f2p42zzozhgy/Trumpet%20Tree-Cross-Polinated.JPG?dl=0

…but imagine the stand with only two hooks (K&M 157 Trumpet Holders) clamped opposite one another at the top of the microphone pole. The pipe insulation is cheap and easily adheres to the pole. The base is very heavy and difficult to tip.

Some players that have also used this kind of setup for quick switching between, say, trumpet with mute to/from flugelhorn. You would not have to remove the mute when quickly hanging it on the padded hook. It did not take me long to get used to making these types of horn switches, and in general, I have felt safer using the hook setup over risking putting a dent in the bell with a traditional trumpet stand. Plus, it is a lot more difficult tilting a microphone stand due to its heavy base compared to any traditional trumpet stand. The main hassle is carrying it to and from the gig. Yes, there are always trade-offs…

trickg · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 12:36 pm Post subject:

Or, Option 4:

Put it on the stand, leave it there, and stop worrying about it.
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cheiden · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 12:56 pm Post subject:

You can buy a threaded peg for the K&M stand that could allow you to thread it onto an extension getting it higher off the floor. Then you can bolt the extension to any base you trust.

FWIW I've used the K&M stands for years and never had an issue with me or anyone else stepping on the bell. I actually like that it's closer to the floor for stability.
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Brad361 · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:18 pm Post subject:

Turkle · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 2:34 pm Post subject:

The only time I ever had a horn damaged at a gig was when it was in my hands - a guitar player knocked a mic stand over and it smashed into my flugelhorn, denting the bell (since repaired).

Anyway, I personally am of the opinion that instruments shouldn't be left on stands for any reason, you never know...
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RandyTX · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:42 pm Post subject:

That leave it on the stand don't worry about it works great, until a horn player decides to put their high heel through your bell on a gig.

Ask me how I know.
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RandyTX · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: “Holy Grail” horn stand?

Don Herman rev2 · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2018 4:00 pm Post subject:

Seen and had too many damaged horns over the years to leave it in the open on stage. Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I've a number of friends who have had anything from dings to totally smashed horns from various on-stage happenings (section mate knocks it flipping pages or grabbing music, snagged on a light cord, music stand from 'bone in front knocked over onto a horn when he stood to solo, one ding from a dropped mouthpiece by another player, etc. etc. etc.) So "forget about it" does not work for me and I put it in the case when I am not by it (and being by it is still no guarantee, natch). Haven't had a problem with the "no cases on stage" set though have dealt with it. Usually a case under the chair is fine for us (trumpets in the back row; pity the bones and saxes) and sometimes under the stage or just behind is fine. Only a few times I've been forced to leave the case in the green room or wherever and it was a pain (I don't even really like walking down a crowded hallway with horns in hand).
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