Multifocals for musicians

I've recently upped the strength of my multifocals and I now can't read
the whole width of a sheet of music withou flicking my head from side
to side - not a good practice when playing a wind instrument.

Not being able to see the whole width without moving my head is
extremely limiting as I need to look ahead to see what's coming up or
skip back to remind me of key signatures. These areas are now often out
of focus.

I paid a lot of money to get multifocals with a wider intermediate
region but it has apparently been wasted. Should I just stick with
reading glasses for playing and accept that the conductor's going to be
out of focus (who needs to watch the conductor anyway)? Or is it really
possible to get a wide intermediate zone (A4 width at just over arms
length)?

 

Thank you for the comments.

I did try bifocals a while ago but I found the dividing line a huge
distraction. I felt like I was sitting behind a screen separating me
from the music, the orchestra and conductor. Very disconcerting.

I guess I'll just have to go with plain reading glasses for music -
especially when I have to increase the strength of the lens again. In
orchestral playing, the conductor's usually only being watched
periferaly so can afford to be out of focus a bit - or at least that
would be a good excuse for any missed entries!

Martin

 

That would be SO cool. When I played in the old people's orchestra (I
wasn't an old person then but I play badly and they were the only ones
who'd allow me to stay!) one of the viola players was griping because
Kaiser wouldn't make her some music-distance glasses. The doc said she
should change her hobby. The guy is lucky he survived.

 

as someone whose sis is a professional viola player, I can vouch for that.

Oh, and re having demonstrations in the office, I had one last month
that was unnerving. When I asked the guy which eye he aimed with, he
went out to the car and came back in with a loaded automatic pistol.
Dropped the clip on the table and racked out the round in the chamber
before taking aim at my snellen chart...

w.stacy, o.d.

 

The colt 45 treatment is one of the best for dealing with painful
customers. LOL

dr grant

 

I play trumpet in a few bands (as a hobby) and use reading glasses for the
music as do many of my fellow musicians. So what if the conductor is out of
focus! All you need to do is see the arm moving. I often cheat a little and
look at him (or her) over the top of the glasses. One advantage is that I
don't have to worry about getting my eyes in the right zone of a multifocus
lens. What do you play?

George