Piano book holder

[PrimaFlower]

We have recently got a new piano but the thing is it hasn't got any prongs on the book rest so the pages keep turning (our old one did), it is ok for sheet music but not for books, does anyone know what I can do or use except for wedging a book on either side of the book I have got open?

[Gill the Piano]

If it's a NEW new piano, then they often don't have bbokholders. You can get a pair from Heckshers or Fletcher & Newman, or ask the tuner to bring you some. If you don't want to risk drilling into the shiny new bookrest (polyester doesn't like being drilled) the get a bit of wood about the same size (or a bit longer) than the existing music stand, stick a strip of felt or leather on both sides, screw your bookholders in the front and just stand it on top of the existing music stand.

[PrimaFlower]

Thanks for your reply. The Piano is about a year old but the thought of drilling into it will give me nightmares I will have a think bout your other suggestion.

Thanks for your reply.

[sussexpianos]

I get asked to put book holders on new pianos all the time. The polyester does crack around the hole but I put little red washers (balance felts) to hide them. I do not know why they don't put them on new pianos.
Gill's way is a good idea.Another way, but you need to be good with carpentry, is to make an old style music desk and have it resting over the top door instead of fitted like the old ones. You can also modify an old music desk and put two hangers on the top to fit on the top door (top panel). This way, the books are better supported as well.

[Bill Kibby]

Bookrest? I thought they were called music desks for the past two centuries or so? Isn't it crazy though, the amount of time and effort people have to waste doing something to modify a piano which wasn't built properly in the first place? For all the comments about American pianos, at least they do seem to consider the concept that someone might actually need to read music, unlike our good old British tray desks.

[Openwood]

I couldn't agree more with Bill - it drives me to distraction when I'm trying to play a piece but have to keep flattening pages because there are no retaining pins. How are you supposed to play anything with more than a few pages? GRRR

[Gill the Piano]

You crack the spine of the book to make it stay open, and then watch as the pages detach themselves and flutter prettily to the floor....

[fumbler]

How are you supposed to play anything with more than a few pages? GRRR

I dunno, I never managed to get past the first few pages....