A folding stand for a musical instrument includes a cone-like seat having a tapered top. Multiple first slots are radially defined through the seat. A chamber is defined at a bottom side and communicates with the first slots. Multiple grooves are radially defined at the bottom side and alternately between the first slots and communicate with the chamber. A joint is rotatably mounted in the chamber. Multiple second slots are radially defined through the joint and respectively aligned with the first slots in a folded status and aligned with the grooves when the joint is turned in an unfolded status. Multiple legs are respectively and pivotally mounted in the second slots and received in the first slots in the folded status. Whereby, the legs can be folded into the seat, so the stand can be received in a bell-like portion of a musical instrument for convenient transportation.