V.com weekend vote: Where Would you Prefer the Music Pocket on Your Violin Case?
There was a certain point in my playing career when I actually switched violin cases, just so that I could have a music pocket that was built into my violin case. At the time, it wasn't easy to find a "case cover" that one could just slip over a case, and I really felt the need to consolidate my music and have it right there with my instrument.
My last few cases have had a simple zipper pocket on the lid, which is convenient for transporting music books, sheet music and programs. However it has its limitations. If music is oversized, or if it is in a large folder, I have to leave the pocket unzipped because it doesn't fully fit inside. Also, because the lid is curved, I can't really slip my flat iPad in there and feel like it is secure - and I increasingly use the iPad for orchestra music. Not only all that, but if the lid gets too full of music, it makes the case unstable when it is open.
Cases have improved over the years, as have those zipper cases. Some cases have the zipper pouch on the bottom, so that you don't have to worry about the lid being unstable. They also are a lot bigger, so you can fit larger music and computer tablets in there. However, having a bulkier pocket attachment does make the case a little harder to slip into a trunk, overhead compartment, locker, etc. - unless the pocket is detachable. The BAM Peak Performance compact case is notable for its unique design, which includes a big pocket along with multiple other compartments, a water bottle holder, and the bow carried in a tube on the outside. (Here is an amusing video about it, from the guys at Fiddlershop.)
Cases by Musafia, Gewa, Bam.
Lately, with the iPad, I've kind of given up on putting music in my case. When I need to carry music, I simply have a very large leather bag, in which I put my smallish purse as well as my iPad. I still use the pocket in my case, but not for *everything,* as before.
What is your set up, what is your preference, in terms of a pocket on your violin case? Is it on the lid? On the back? Do you even have a pocket? For the vote, you can answer with your current set-up, or if you don't like your current set-up, vote for what you would prefer. Also, do you use the pocket for sheet music, or for something else? Do you use the pocket (or wish to use the pocket) for an iPad?
Thank you to Dimitri Musafia (our resident case-maker) for today's vote idea! If you have an idea for our Weekend Vote, please e-mail Laurie!
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Replies
I'd like a case that can fit a bon musica shoulder rest and baerenreiter editions and a packed lunch and a thermos flask. It will need broad, comfortable shoulder straps.
"I do appreciate the music pockets that double as a back cushion on some cases, not so much because I think that they’re necessary, but because they provide an extra function, "
Seconded.
I think I need to try enlarged sheet music...eye trouble. I'm not sure how I'll ferry them around, and my brief case won't take E3 paper I'm pretty certain. There are two black bow ties in the music compartment permanently, but not the clip-on type. They'll fit anywhere though.
I never fully understood the appeal of a violin case that fits a lot. I almost always have a separate bag with me because no violin case can fit a jumper/book/wallet/umbrella/keys/tissues/lunchbox/laptop/whatever, and in that case having a smaller and lighter case makes sense to me.
I have, however, made myself a detachable music pocket that goes on the back of my violin case by sewing a few carabiner clips onto a large laptop sleeve. It was a nice project, works well and has the bonus of having a smaller pocket for keys and a wallet, but I think I used it about four times in three years.
I don’t want a pocket. I grew up carrying music separately - this has always worked fine for me. I don’t carry around more than a few pieces of sheet music at a time anyway - it’s most likely to be for a chamber music session. Haven’t done any orchestra playing since 21 y/o, nearing the end of my degree program, and haven’t taken lessons since finishing school; so not much of a load to carry. I have a dart-shaped case and two regular-shaped cases for my fiddles. Whichever one I’m carrying, I like to keep things simple, compact, and lightweight.
My Gewa case has no music pocket, but that's ok-- I'm a fiddler so I carry my music in my head! (Or not-- there is such a thing as 'session amnesia'!).
Slipping my music into the pocket on my case is a convenience. But it only really works with my viola. The violin case music enclosure won't zip around my orchestra folder. So I'd rather have a separate vessel, even a small briefcase, for my music. But it ends up being a lot to carry with my seat and my stand.
It depends what you carry on your back and what you carry in your hand. I'd prefer to carry everything on my back. Failing that, a case that fits nothing but a violin is probably best carried by hand, and the rest of your gubbins in a rucksack. If I'm on foot in the winter, I'm probably carrying a lot of gubbins. If you're on a golf cart in Florida in the summer, then you don't have the same considerations.
I recently acquired a violin case with a pocket big and robust enough to carry a music stand as well as music. Now I need the viola version.
Luckily my orchestras own enough stands for everyone for rehearsals, but we have to supply our own for some concerts.
Steve what's the case
how about a case that doubles as a music stand and laptop stand?....
Paul - I think it's the same white Gewa model as in Laurie's photo (mine is blue). My folded stand fits snugly at the bottom. Downside is that the case is quite heavy, even with the pocket empty.
Btw, I have had my eye on that bam case in the picture for a while. Except that it's a soft, not hard, shell. Anyone here use one?
My butler carries my music, along with any other bags I have.
Gordon I have a bam case, they look soft on the outside but are very strong, you could probably stand on it. Excellent case, I use a kun which fits perfectly along with all the other bits and bobs, the fiddle fits really snugly, and though my chin rest isnt a tall one I think you could get away with one an inch higher, it has the room for two bows and a string tube, which I had never even heard of let alone used.
Mine is the basic 220 quid one, I would like one of these super duper 20000 quid type ones but just cant justify it really, and would prefer to spend the money on something else, like maybe a decent coffee, which as you know is hard to get in this country.
In the fifties my father had canvas case covers incorporating canvas straps for me to cycle up to and down from school carrying my violin or viola on my back. At first my back was protected from the instrument case with a foam pad, but this was later replaced by a pocket for sheet music. This pocket was only somewhat wider than the case.
In my part of London, I think I was the first person to be seen carrying a musical instrument on my back.
My daughter has a case with a music pocket on the underside of her case ( rather than the lid ) and it’s brilliant! It stays open with no pressure on the hinges when getting her violin out, it sits flush on her back and close to it when carrying using the shoulder strap(s) and is just big enough for orchestral music but not so huge that it gets weighted down with unnecessary junk. Unfortunately I’ve no idea what type it is otherwise I’d be very, very tempted , even though I have a much- loved Musafia dart for my main violin ( sorry, Dimitri ! ??)
The only niggle I have when we sometimes swap instruments and cases is remembering to get the music out before opening the case to get the violin out, however I’m sure that if this was a case I use every day it would be an easy habit to get into .
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December 22, 2024 at 06:59 PM · I like having room for music in the zipper pocket of a case, but I don’t like the music pocket to be larger than the case and to stick out in a way that distracts from the aesthetics of the case. I do appreciate the music pockets that double as a back cushion on some cases, not so much because I think that they’re necessary, but because they provide an extra function, aren’t visible when the case is worn as a backpack, and can be detached whenever the owner desires. However, I do still prefer the look of more classic case designs and gladly carry around a heavier case without any “ergonomic” elements.
and would much rather walk miles with a heavy case made from