For those who love Classical music, we all know that sheet music is crucial in any orchestral performance. Why is there a need for sheet music? Well, think about this. Unlike other genres of music, classical music is more complicated and is focused on precision. In a symphony, a considerable bulk of musical information is fed in the brain and performed to the public. Some orchestral members also play several times a week in other performances, and it is hard to remember the music due to the sheer volume of information. Sheet music is used as a guide or cue as to where everyone is, in a piece. And now that you understand the importance of sheet music, let’s move to the main part of this topic, which is music stand lights.
A music stand light is a tool used by orchestral musicians to light up their music sheet. The darker the venue, the brighter the lights that are needed for the performance. The current music lights are using LED technology, which is brighter and energy-efficient. Thus, this ensures that musicians can see all the pieces of music they are playing on the music sheet. These lights are also adjustable, depending on the venue and level of lighting needed for the performance, and this is crucial. A very bright music light can distract the performer. If it is too dim, then the performer will have a hard time seeing.
Here is the list below of the best music stand lights reviewed in 2020:
10 Best Music Stand Lights in 2020
1. Kootek Clip On Book Lights Music Light Stand
These lights are affordable but pack the versatility that you need for reading music and other productive activities. These are known for durability and adjustability.
Things We Liked
- Unique and innovative design
- Brightness levels
- Compatibility with any instrument
- Good grip
- Provides excellent lighting
Things We Don’t Like
- Unstable at times
2. Royal Delux 29 LED Music Stand Light
These have a warm and elegant light source. This light can be clipped on and are damnable. These are lights for people who are sensitive to bright lights. They are also handy for carrying in every performance.
Things We Liked
- The level of brightness is just right
- Portability
- Sturdiness
- Battery life
- Good grip
Things We Don’t Like
- It doesn’t include an AC adaptor
3. Aria Forte F1 Rechargeable LED Music Stand Light
This Stand Light is for professional musicians who prefer longer battery light. Hence, this is popular in concert halls and all musical performances. The design and build are top-notch.
Things We Liked
- Design
- Brightness
- Sturdiness
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- The sheet metal is not hard enough
4. Dual Head USB Led Clip-on Light
This product is recommended light for people who are reading and also musicians. It is versatile and can be adjusted to any shape you want. It gives out quality light without flickering.
Things We Liked
- Design
- Brightness
- Portability
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- The aluminum arms are not rigid enough
5. Manhasset Music Stand Light (1060)
If elegance is essential to you, then this brand has a look that will please you. It has an adjustable stand. It is excellent for concert videos.
Things We Liked
- Price
- Brightness
- Portability
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- The size
6. LED Piano Lamp Black Flexible Gooseneck
This lamp is for the piano players who want their lights to be flexible. It can easily clamp on the piano. Mostly for an upright piano.
Things We Liked
- Flexibility
- Brightness
- Portability
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- Not so excited about the design
7. Giglight Max
It has high and low brightness settings. Thus, the best feature is its foldability. The low battery light indicator allows early warning.
Things We Liked
- Design
- Adapted and cord
- Portability
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- The light can be harsh
8. Book Light, Reading Light
This light is for musicians and book lovers. The clip light is adjustable. It can be clipped anywhere and has multiple uses.
Things We Liked
- Design
- Adapted and cord
- Portability
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- The light can be harsh
9. LUMIENS L9
Music Stand Light Clip On Orchestra LED Lamp – This is not just for concert orchestras. It can also be used in the recording studio. DJs, Sound Engineers, and book readers will love this.
Things We Liked
- Lightweight
- Versatility
- Portability
- Brightness
- Battery life
- Low light
Things We Don’t Like
- There are reported battery issues
10. The Original Mighty Bright HammerHead Clip On Music Stand Light
The optical lens enables the spread of light evenly, and it is durable. The lens can last a long time. It has 15 hours of battery light.
Things We Liked
- Portability
- Brightness
- Battery life
Things We Don’t Like
- Price
Buying Guide: What to Look For in Buying Music Stand Lights
Amazon has a wide range of music stand lights you can browse on. I would suggest you check the reviews and ratings before buying. Even when the price range looks attractive, you need to think about the longevity of the product. You also need to ensure that these lights can satisfy their intended purpose.
Versatility
One example of a versatile music light stand is the Kootek clip-on rechargeable reading and music stand light. Having something that can be used both a regular reading table lamp and a music lamp means you save money.
This product can also stand on any desk. So think about it, you can always bring this home after a music performance and voila! It can become a light to do other activities. The rechargeable lithium lights can last you for hours of use. It is also versatile and has a rechargeable neck that will ensure proper light manipulation and adjustment. You can look for other brands in this category and see if they work for your needs.
Design
In an orchestra setting, elegant lighting is always praiseworthy. In general, people prefer warm lights in the evening. White LED lights can irritate the sight. That is why iPhones have night modes because users need soothing light in the evening.
There’s a study that white lights can disrupt sleeping patterns. One stand light brand that stands out from the pack is the orchestral music stand light from Royal Deluxe. It emits bright but warm lights in the yellow spectrum. This kind of lighting is not harsh. Your fellow violinist would be pleased by this elegant light source. You can check out other brands in this category and compare which one works for your needs.
Industry-standard
The thing about battery-powered LED lights is that they have limited time capacity. Some can last for 2 to 5 hours. Thus, this is because portability comes with a downside. In situations where the performance can take up the whole day, this is where you need a music stand light that can take up to 8 hours. However, this is not just in regular brightness but in full brightness.
One example belonging to the high-end category is the F1 Forte. It can last up to 8 hours in full brightness. Thus, this is because of its battery capacity. Think about it, and this can even replace your night lights! Others in the same niche are the Aria series. One thing you will notice when you use the music stand lights in this category is that they’re designed to be cool to the touch. LED lights can get hot. But with superb engineering that comes with these high-end lights, you get the bang for your buck. Amazon has a few in this category. You can check them out one by one and decide which one works for you. Lastly, music stand lights in this level are compatible with any music stand.
Music Stand Lights: Key Points To Remember
You don’t buy a music stand light for its appearance alone. You need it for its primary purpose of illuminating your sheet music. A classical concert can take up to two hours. It is crucial to choose something that has high and adjustable lumens. The battery power is also necessary as you don’t want to be charging your music stand light in between performance. A typical performance can last as long as a full movie. Thus, this is true with most symphonies and operas.
Light Quality
Another thing to consider is light quality. A bright warm light is excellent, as it is good for the eyes. Flickering and glares are avoided because they can strain the eyes. Because of the evolution in these music stand light, it is not possible to deploy them in any concert halls. They are even used in filmed concerts because ambient light can now be manipulated without affecting the musicians’ sight-reading capacity.
Such lights are used in any setting. Pianists have these so they can sight-read the pieces of music they are playing. A good music stand light is versatile. It should fit any situation. Still, not all performances call for them. In venues where it is bright, one can do without them. But they are crucial in dark outdoor sets where classical music is needed.
Price
You also need to look for the pricing. Cheap brands can be fragile. Look for a brand that has excellent reviews. You can just do this by searching online and then go to forums discussing the best music stand light. Investing in a good music stand light can give you countless hours of excellent performance. You can even use them while practicing in private.
Intensity
Music stand lights come in different designs and levels of intensity. Buyers will have the option to choose whatever design suits them, and also for the kind of performance that they will have. Minimalist designs are now in vogue. Thus, this means that the music stand lights blend well with the music stand.
Others are ornamental that their designs are in themselves a statement. Musicians who are not performing in grand concerts can settle for ordinary kinds as they say, as long as these can get the job done. The good thing about music stand light is that you can use them in other activities such as reading, in laboratories, or when you are a tech guy, and you are into cellphone and laptop repairs. You can also use them as a model lighting when you are shooting photos for magazines. You can also use them as dresser lights.
Care and Handling
Your music stand light is an investment. The good (expensive) brands can stand the elements. Their batteries can also last longer. Thus, this is due to the quality of the materials. How you care for your light should be the same kind of care you do for your other LED lights. Hence, this means avoiding moisture or direct sunlight for prolonged periods. Avoid putting them in areas with tremendous vibrations. Avoid knocking them down and destroying the lights as well as the circuitry.
The cheaper brands do not have heat dampening technology. Take care of your lights the way you take care of your laptops or mobile phones. You need them almost daily, especially when you are a professional musician. As a good part of your daily activity, they can also serve other purposes, like providing light during emergencies.
Conclusion
Music stand lights are intended for a musical performance by musicians. But we also learned that they could have other functional purposes, such as being used in emergencies like a power outage. With varying price ranges, you can go low end or high end. The low-end types can satisfy short performances. The battery capacity can give you around 2 to 3 hours of light. If you go high end, you can have up to 8 hours of lights in full power. The ones in the high end are also industry standards. They are used by professional musicians who have multiple performances within a week. These music stand lights are also compatible with any music stands.
