So what do you use? Any recommendations would be appreciated, and thanks in advance!
Tweet
for some years now. Even though it only has a single LED bulb it easily illuminates 2 pages and does OK with a 3-page spread, which I often use in chamber orchestra (one player per stand) to avoid having to drop out for a page turn. Its portability is unsurpassed. Other players in my ensembles use wider, multi-bulb lamps, but I don't see that they get any more lumens than I do. I have had some of those wider, multi-bulb lamps in the past
Let me say this: if you are using a stand lamp in an ensemble be thoughtful of your compatriots; aim the light straight down so that others do not have to see the glare of the bulbs directly - it will give you more uniform illumination on the pages and your sensitivity will be appreciated.
It looks like they are coming out with a new version of the Fermata. Very interesting, both this one and the Lotus.
https://www.violinist.com/discussion/thread.cfm?page=2218
https://www.amazon.com/Manhasset-Stand-Light-with-bulb/dp/B0002M6N5W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1549202399&sr=8-10&keywords=manhasset+stand+light
I also have a Giardinelli Universal Klip-Light that will fit on most sturdy stands (not just Manhassat):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Giardinelli-Universal-Klip-Light-/221370014129
But I have recently inserted small cylindrical LED bulbs in both lamps that fit perfectly. It is much brighter than the standard 40 W incandescent bulb usually used in these lamps. There is a 60 W incandescent that also fits the lamp, but it burns out very quickly from the confined heat it generates - the 40 W doesn't do that well on longevity either - but the LED is great and brighter than either - also brighter than the portable battery operated I recommended earlier.
both lamps are too heavy for wire stands or most folding stands - and the Manhassat will fit even a more limited number of stands than the Giardinelli.
Tom - I think I may want one that will do both but I've not yet made up my mind on this one. It would be good to not have multiple lights for future use for when I do start playing with my teacher's adult student orchestra. My home stand is a Manhassat and I will likely just go with a folding wire stand for when I'm ready to start playing with others again.
They can run on both batteries or AC power, and are cheap enough that we can just replace them if they break. :P
The top-of-the-line Lotus (the Pro 14) is 1000 lux. Its portability is excellent, but it is definitely not as bright or broad-coverage as the Aria Diva. However, because there is no light shield, it is easier for my chamber music partners to see me. It has longer battery life than the Aria Brio, and it is very lightweight, so I just toss it into my stand bag. It also charges relatively quickly, so "emergency" charging is very doable. Because it can USB charge, I've also charged it in my car when I've forgotten to plug it in at home.
I also own an Aria Brio. This is the rechargeable-battery form of the Aria Diva. Its light shield is great for orchestra, pit playing, and the like. However, at maximum brightness, the charge is basically just enough to get through a performance, and woe betide you if you forget to charge it. (At this point I would replace it with the Aria Forte, a new and longer-charge model.) It is also heavy.
We own 20+ of the Mighty Bright Duet+, with the dual LED lights on each of the two "heads" but they're not anywhere near as bright as these cheap ones.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H962VMC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I also have a Manhasset stand light that plugs in and is quite good while not too expensive.
With the lighting in my apartment as it is even with lots of lamps, and the inability to play wearing my glasses, I may well need to go the expensive route, but they've a good return policy so the experiment is worth it. Hopefully I won't NEED to go that far, but I really appreciate the conversation and guidance from all directions. If the less expensive lights won't work for me then I've a much better idea for other options, thank you!
2) Aria lights are great for pit orchestra duty but not good for chamber music when you want to be able to see your partners. The big hood kind of blocks the view.
3) Lotus lights are super bright, probably the most light you can get without an Aria hood contraption.
If you don't want to pay $200 for the Lotus 14 (a very wide light), you might consider the new Lotus Pro 6 for $120. It's so bright you have to be careful how you aim it so you don't get it in other people's eyes. It has three degrees of brightness -- I need a lot of light and I usually use the Lotus on level 2. The 6 Pro can illuminate 3 sheets pretty well. If you want to light 4 sheets across, buy the super wide Lotus 14.
I have my doubts about the cheap stand lights on Amazon. I suspect this might be one thing where you get what you pay for.
Interestingly enough I'm fine in my teacher's studio - and he doesn't have stand lighting at all. His studio, however, is VERY well lit, unlike my apartment - which seems to be a light sink no matter how many/style of lamps I have.
I bought a Lotus Pro 14 and I have been very happy with it.