Favorite Things!

I love to discover items to organize my STUFF.  I tend to collect stuff. Thought I'd share a few of the things I associate with my music hobby organization.

A few of the things I use around my music room.

Multi dulcimer stand

I've found a magazine/book tower, meant to sit on the floor against a wall...or there are versions that are meant to be mounted on the wall. They are built to accommodate the weight of multiple books and magazines and the standing version is heavily weighted on the base as to not topple over.  I have mine sitting against a wall on a low base...as I have dogs and having a large tower on the floor might be a temptation to the "boys". I also put self adhesive felt strips on each shelf to ensure the dulcimers don't slide on the bare metal shelf which may cause some damage to the finish.  Have had this one in place for 3 years with no issues.  I would be sure it isn't in a heavily trafficked area where someone might stagger into it. I've shown different versions as seen on-line. Mine was on sale for under $120.

Another favorite stand I use fits easily on a desktop and was advertised as a magazine tower.  I bought 2 at the time, but haven't been able to find them online since but I keep looking. Once again, I glue felt strips to each shelf so as to not mar the finish of the dulcimers.  This one is on my computer desk.

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Instrument parking place
I always have dulcimers nearby at my computer when I'm working on tab and I hate to lay them down on a hard surface when I have to free my hands to use the keyboard.  I found one of these small ottoman's (maybe bean bag-type filled) and fits easily beside my computer chair.  I can quickly set the dulcimer aside without clunking into any hard objects.  Found it at a local Marshall's or TJ Maxx or something.

Dulcimer wall hangers

This version of instrument hanger is mounted on the wall with screws.  There is a version that loops to the side which will accommodate a scroll head dulcimer. If you have a large collection of dulcimers, that means a lot of holes in the wall, that's why I prefer to use a book tower and use the wall mount hangers sparingly.

 

I use a lot hanging 

organizers in different shapes and sizes to store cables, microphones, tuners, harmonicas, capos,  pennywhistles etc. They can hang over a door, the side of a bookcase, mounted on a wall......

Transport cart. A great item for transporting musical instruments, tab books, and lunch tote around the workshop site or a gig...or just getting your general belongings into your hotel easily.  Just remember to be considerate when parking it in a hallway, in the back of the room (if permitted) or in a storage room.  Attach something colorful to it to spot it in a crowd. Folds down for easy storage or transporting it (before filling it) in your car.  Can be googled as a beach cart type of item.

Clamp on drink holder, good for a music room when you don't want to spill your drink on your papers or instruments.  Also can stick an empty cup or glass in it and store pens, capo, eyeglasses, picks.... nearby.

I love this over-sized clip board and I've added 2 extra clamps to it.  I lean it against a regular desktop document stand in order to spread out 2 pages of music so as to not have to turn pages if using individual sheets.  I frequently work with multiple pages in laying out tab and lyrics while arranging a song for singing.

I believe these are called Boca Clips.  They are meant to clamp towels onto a beach chair but I use them for all kinds of purposes in my music room (and when we go out in our RV).  In the music room I can clamp cables together and to different surfaces, clamp draped fabric I use for a backdrop for a video or photo, I've used it to clamp a webcam in place.  Can be used so many ways.  I have them in my garage also.

A CD wallet is just an easy way to organize dulcimer strings.  They can fit in a pocket of a carrying case.  

I have this wall mount acrylic shelf in several places in my home.  I can even hold a dulcimer leaning on it's side....if you put some glue on felt protectors strategically.  I'd be careful and test it out...make sure the screws won't scratch.  I've covered the screws with felt on the ONE shelf I've used to put a dulcimer.  I have mounted by a bed in the spare bedroom, behind a sofa in the basement and by my computer.  Can be used to keep a remote control, eye glasses, phone or tablet close by.

Same idea.  I have this version under a mounted whiteboard near my computer for the dry erase markers, tuners, metronome, noter etc.

These a stretchy wrist bands, called wrist-wallets which are great for having guitar picks handy.   They can be found in most active wear catalogs, and on Amazon, of course.

Nothing better than plastic bins and a good label maker.  I love to go to crafting stores like Michael's and check out the organizers for crafters.  The 2 level bins (with a sectional insert for the top "shelf") are especially useful.  Great for keeping all the bits and pieces (and manuals) for recorders, cameras, microphones etc.

I've had 2 knee surgeries and bought my walker out of that necessity.  Decided to keep it because I had heard of people using them as a dulcimer (playing) stand.  I've also used it to place recording equipment....a laptop, webcam, camera to record.  It's easy to move, and at a workable height for recording a sitting person.  I've since used it as a bedside table while bed bound, recovering from another surgery.  I added a tray and an accessory pouch.  Handy to have around if you have the room for it.  I've also used it as a bird cage stand :-)

Hope you've found some useful ideas here.  Would love to hear about some unexpected items you've used to organize your music hobby.