Best Flute Stands: C Flute, Piccolo, Alto

What are the best flute stands, and do you really need one? Having a stand means you can rest your flute safely when you need a break.

I’ve tried a ton of stands and have found that not all are as good as they should be. Fortunately, the stands in this list work well for flute players of all levels.

Before we get into the mini-reviews, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.

Hercules Flute and Piccolo Stand

One of the best flute stands you can get is the Hercules Flute and Piccolo Stand. It has a pretty sturdy base and comes with a piccolo peg and two pegs that work for a flute or clarinet.

I used this stand quite a bit throughout college. Since I frequently played flute and piccolo, the stand could hold both, which was great. If you also play clarinet or oboe, this stand will come in handy for you.

You can screw in the different pegs to work in whatever configuration you want. Now, it can work okay for an alto flute. However, it’s not long enough to hold your alto super securely.

Pros

• Holds multiple instruments
• Sturdy
• Easy to use

Cons

• Kind of expensive
• Not the best for low flutes

Hercules Travlite Flute Stand

Out of all of my stands, I’ve probably used my Hercules Travlite Flute Stand the most. As the name implies, it’s light and so great for travel. While I may use a bigger flute stand in my home studio, I take this one to rehearsals and concerts.

I love that it doesn’t take up a ton of space in my bag. You can keep it in the footjoint of your flute, but I wouldn’t do that. If you keep anything in your flute, you could cause damage.

Still, the stand is great for when you’re on the go. It’s easy to set up and take down, and you can extend the legs for more stability. Sure, it’s not as secure as some stands, but it’s also pretty affordable.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Affordable

Cons

• Not the most stable

Hercules Flute Stand

The Hercules Flute Stand is another option, and it’s like a mix of the previous two on this list. It only holds your C flute like the travel stand, but it has the bigger base and peg of the other stand.

I haven’t used this stand specifically, but I think it’s a great choice. If you don’t like the piccolo and don’t play other woodwinds, give this stand a try. The peg sits in the middle of the base, which could make it more stable.

You can also use the stand for a clarinet or oboe. So if you need to swap out instruments, it could work for that. But I’d prefer to have a stand or peg for each instrument if I can.

Pros

• Sturdy
• Easy to use
• Good design

Cons

• A bit expensive
• Only holds one instrument

Hercules Flute Peg

Maybe you already have one of the best flute stands, but you’re missing a peg. If you have a Hercules stand, you can get the Hercules Flute Peg. That’s a nice option if you lose the peg that came with your stand.

You used to be able to buy a standard peg. But now, all I can find is a deluxe peg, which is a bit taller. I actually think that’s great because it offers even more support to your flute when you set it on a stand.

I use this peg on my Hercules alto stand (more on that later). The stand has two slots for extra pegs but doesn’t come with them. So I bought this peg so that I could use the same stand for my alto and C flutes.

Pros

• Taller than some pegs
• More support
• Works with Hercules stand bases

Cons

• Just a peg
• Somewhat expensive for what it is

Hercules Piccolo Peg

The Hercules Piccolo Peg is similar to the flute peg. You get a piece that you can rest your piccolo on, but you need to get a base separately. As with the other peg, I use this on my alto flute stand to hold my piccolo.

But you can get this peg to use on the standard Hercules flute and piccolo combo stand. I know a lot of piccolo players will use two piccolos and switch between them based on the piece, so you can get an extra peg for that.

Of course, it’s also a good option if you lose the piccolo peg. It’s pretty small, so I’d imagine that happens to some people. Plus, it’s just good to have a backup for when you need it.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Works on various Hercules bases
• Decent price

Cons

• No base

K&M Piccolo Stand

Like the Hercules Travlite stand, the K&M Piccolo Stand is great for when you have to go from place to place. It’s small and easy to put in your flute or piccolo bag.

I’ve used it for years, and it still works well. But I added some yellow tape to the tip when I was playing in a pit orchestra. I had some quick changes, and the stand was hard to see in the dark when it was all black.

Still, it’s a useful stand, and I love having one just for piccolo. I’ve played a few orchestra concerts on just piccolo. If I only used a combination stand, it would have been unnecessarily bulky.

Pros

• Portable
• Easy to set up
• Good quality

Cons

• Hard to see in the dark
• Not the most supportive

Hercules Alto Flute Stand

One of the best flute stands out there is the Hercules Alto Flute Stand. As the name suggests, it has a peg that can hold your alto flute. The stand also has two holes for other pegs, but you need to get those pegs elsewhere.

As I mentioned earlier, I use a flute peg and piccolo peg in those slots. That way, I can hold all of my three main flutes. I primarily use the stand at home, but I’ll bring it to flute choir since I play alto flute in that group.

You can also use the alto peg to hold a bass flute, but it may be a bit wobbly. I’ve seen someone adapt what I think is the Hercules Trumpet Stand to hold a bass.

Pros

• Holds an alto flute
• Has spots for C flute and piccolo
• Good quality

Cons

• Can be hard to fold the legs in
• No included flute or piccolo pegs

How to Choose the Best Flute Stands

It’s one thing to know what I think the best flute stands are. But you may have different preferences.

Consider the following factors to help choose the right stand for you.

Build Quality

First, you need to look at the build quality. If a stand looks like it will last for years, it’s a good investment. It can even be well worth spending more money to get that quality.

On the other hand, if it’s cheap and looks like it may break easily, don’t use it. At worst, your flute may fall to the ground and break.

Size

Next, you should consider how big the stand is. The Hercules stands all have big bases, which help keep your flute up.

But they also take up a lot of room in your bag and on the floor. If you have a tight space in a rehearsal setup, the stands may not work as well.

Instrument Compatibility

Along with the size, you may want to look at what instruments can fit on a particular stand. If you play multiple flutes, get a stand that works for all of those.

And if you’re a woodwind doubler, consider if you can put a clarinet or oboe on a given flute stand to help save money on gear.

Price

Of course, you also want to think about your budget. Some of the best flute stands are pretty expensive, but they’re worth the price.

Consider saving up for a bit to get the right stand for you. Then, you can use it for years with no issues.

Are Flute Stands Expensive?

Flute stands can be expensive, especially if they’re larger or more durable. But you can find stands at a variety of price points.

Be sure to shop around and look for deals. Then, you can get a stand that meets your musical and financial needs.

Where Can You Find Flute Stands?

You can find flute stands from a variety of music stores and general retailers. I’ve bought most of my flute stands online and haven’t had issues.

If I’ve bought them in person, it was at a flute festival or convention. So I could have bought the stand online if I didn’t go to said event.

What Are the Best Flute Stands for You?

Choosing from the best flute stands can be difficult. But using the right gear can make a huge difference in practicing and performing.

I love the Hercules Alto Flute Stand with the flute and piccolo pegs. Give that setup a try if you play all of those instruments.

And if you do play multiple flutes, head over to Flute Files to check out some sheet music for your instruments.