One way to get around the problem of supports for flashes and the like is to patch together parts to make stands - like the swivel chair stand or the music stand below.
A softbox or an umbrella needs a fair amount of support, especially if you are likely to lean it in any direction off-center. The swivel chair base provides stability and manouverability. ABS waste pipe just happens to fit over it and with a connector and an extension piece you can raise it quite high.
I whipped the legs off an old Slik panning tripod and the center column fits in the pipe. Then various brackets attached to the quick release and to the softbox. I put this softbox together a couple of years ago when I first came back from Sing - it's made of art card and is not quite as deep as the earlier model, but it's a bit longer at 55x80cm. It takes two flashes and can also hang from the ceiling.
It's very simple to adapt a music stand for purpose - just unbolt the sheet music holder, and slip an old tripod tube over the stem.
