Selecting A Stand
To pick what stand best fits your needs, start by looking at your keyboard. Is it a gig-friendly lean machine, such as a Clavia Nord, or a more studio-centric workstation? Do you use multiple keyboards? Do you play while seated, or standing? What kind of vehicle do you use to get to gigs? The answers to these questions will have an impact on what you can look for in a stand. There are many styles to choose from, and I’ve picked a few that you’re most likely to see in a live situation.
X-style Stands
For most synths up to 61 keys, a single X Stand will do the trick. Just about every X stand is height-adjustable, which is nice. (Just don’t attempt to change the height of the stand while your keyboard is sitting on it!) Setup and teardown are straightforward and simple, and the stands are lightweight. The four rubber endcaps on every X stand are easy to lose; a little black gaffer’s tape is a pro way to make sure they don’t fall off and let the stand scratch up the inside of your vehicle. If you’re using an 88-key controller or workstation, make sure to use a double-braced stand; most single-braced models will flex under the extra weight.
K&M Spider Stand
The K&M Spider series stands are intriguing. Lo and behold, the column stands on four feet. This allows room for foot pedals and is a very nice touch. The Pro series lays back at a more extreme angle than the base model for better access to the keyboard on the bottom tier, has tiltable, extendable support arms, and a place to attach a mic stand. The Spider is very stylish looking, too, and appears to fold up easily into a compact package for transport. A short version for single keyboards, called the Baby Spider, rounds out the line.
Stagg Keyboard Stands
Whilst considered by many to be at the lower end of the spectrum, these have certainly proven popular with the home user and also many smaller bands. The stands are lightweight and have proven to be very reliable stands and worthy of consideration for the cost conscious.
Playing height
Now that you’ve picked a stand, it’s a good idea to pick the most comfortable position, so that your keyboard is the same height from the floor on every gig. Whether you sit or stand while playing, the way to find the ideal height is the same: it’s all in your wrists. You want the keyboard at a height where you don’t have to bend at the wrists to play. In other words, in a relaxed position, there should be a straight line from your forearm all the way to the knuckles where your fingers begin. This is no problem if you play while seated. But when standing, it requires that the keyboard sit rather high.
Finally, though it sounds silly, remember to take your keyboard stand home after the gig. It’s almost like a rite of passage: Every keyboard player I know (including myself) has left a stand at a gig once. A simple “idiot check” on your way out can save you lots of cash in the long run!
