Gift Ideas for Music Lovers

This year has seen an explosion of music in our house. My 6th grade son is learning clarinet at school in band, my husband has decided to try his hand at the banjo and my eldest son is seriously getting into the guitar. I thought it would be nice to share some gift ideas for music lovers with my readers which has a variety of items.

** Note ~ Links in this post are Amazon affiliate links.   Any orders placed through them will provide our family a small commission.  Many thanks in advance to anyone who chooses to shop through our links. Also, a few of these items were sent to us in exchange for placement in our Holiday Gift Guide.  Others are products I’ve found on my own.**

For a Budding Guitarist

Have someone who wants to start rockin’ through the halls this holiday season?  Get them started with one of these awesome kits!

Guitar For Dummies Acoustic Guitar Starter Pack
($94.68 currently on Amazon with free shipping available)
A complete Set, with Guitar, instruction book and CD, tuner and more, for way less! This is from the popular “For Dummies” series, a great beginner’s DIY guide. What’s on the set list: Easy-playing, rich-sounding Kona Acoustic Guitar, with spruce top, linden back and sides, steel strings, precision tuners, pick guard and full body and neck binding; Guitar Basics for Dummies, 120-pg. book, illustrated, with audio CD, too; Easy to use GT10 digital tuner (uses 2 AAA batteries, included); Black cloth soft gig bag, with carry handle, and accessory pocket; Hex key for tightening neck; 3 picks. Guitar is 40 1/2″l., 15″w., 4″d. 3 lbs., 14 ozs. Maker’s 10-year limited warranty.

If you have someone who already has a guitar available, then you can order just Guitar For Dummies, with DVD ($17.03 for paperback or available on Kindle) to get them moving along. The DVD has more than 50 short videos that show you how to play key examples, more than 150 audio recordings of the songs and exercises in the book, printable chord sheets, and tab paper.

Electric Guitar Pack For Dummies ($163.14 with free Prime Shipping)

This electric guitar pack is perfect for aspiring guitar players. A complete kit provides everything you need to play the electric guitar. Included are a full-sized Kona electric guitar, 10-watt amplifier with 5-inch speaker, gig bag, and a bunch of accessories. A large chord chart and the Electric Guitar Basics For Dummies book with CD are also included to get you on your way.

Rock Guitar For Dummies
is one that I think my eldest will want as well. While he enjoys Spanish guitar music on the classical guitar, he also has a love for Rock music.

For a Budding Pianist

If you do not already have a piano or keyboard in the house, then eMedia Piano for Dummies 61-Key Keyboard Starter Pack ($135.96 with Prime shipping currently) might be a great option for you.

This set includes everything you need to play piano straight out of the box. It’s the ideal, affordable solution for anyone who has thought about learning piano or keyboard. It includes a touch-sensitive electronic keyboard with 61 full-size keys, AC Adapter, and USB cable for connecting the MIDI keyboard to the computer, as well as a sheet music stand. The keyboard features built-in speakers, LCD display, 300 realistic sampled instrument sounds, 100 styles and 100 demo songs. What’s more, it includes a great teacher: the eMedia Piano For Dummies CD-ROM (for Windows & Mac computers).

I also found these ABC Keyboard Stickers ($2.50) which would have saved me a lot of headache as boys kept asking me “What key is this?”  Also, this Keyboard Chord Chart ($3.50) is something that even I could appreciate as I no longer can remember all of my chords. Guess that’s what happens when you aren’t taking lessons and practicing daily!

Piano For Dummies (3rd edition) ($19.07 in paperback currently, also available for Kindle) is a great book based option. This book contains all the information you need to start playing today, including clear instruction and supplementary materials. Learn different musical styles, like classical, rock, blues, and country, and how to find the perfect teacher should you decide to expand your instruction. Even after years of instruction, I know there are some gems in here to help me become a better pianist, too.

We have reviewed a few online training options the past which have a focus on learning with a piano or keyboard. (Links here go to our previous reviews.) 
KinderBach is a beginning music option for pre-K through early elementary.  We’ve used the online lessons in the past, although you can purchase DVDs and books to have forever.  Adventus is another program that offers lessons that can be used from pre-K on up.  This one provides enough lessons for the course of 7 years which is either bought outright or paid monthly for the online service which also requires you to do a MIDI hookup to the computer.  HomeSchoolPiano is a subscription based service for video lessons.  $299 gives you LIFETIME access to all materials for up to 5 students.

For a Budding Clarinet Player

Clarinet For Dummies ($16.27 paperback and available for Kindle as well) is a book my 6th grader is eager to dig into the holiday season.  This hands-on guide teaches you all the fundamental techniques you need to play this popular woodwind alone or in a group setting. Clarinet For Dummies gives you the ideal introduction to play clarinet. You’ll begin by learning how to properly hold a clarinet and move on to getting a consistent sound, reading music, and playing songs in a variety of styles, including classical, pop, and jazz. Step-by-step instruction on finger placement, posture, and basic up-keep for the instrument Tips on how to buy or rent a clarinet Accompanying CD offers play-along recordings of every exercise featured in the book Whether you?ve never held a clarinet or are looking to brush up on skills from your youth, Clarinet For Dummies is packed with friendly, easy-to-follow instructions to have you playing this versatile instrument with ease! Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
As my budding clarinet player suffers from remembering to put his instrument away immediately, I am thinking that the K & M Clarinet Stand ($15.99 with Prime Shipping) might be a great surprise for under the tree. That way his instrument is safe from someone accidentally stepping on it at home or even can be used during band for times when he might need to put it down.

If you have a child who wants to learn, but doesn’t own an instrument yet, there are many affordable options for Clarinets on Amazon. Just take time to read through the reviews as not all are created equal. I believe we paid somewhere near $500 for D’s clarinet at the local music shop plus another $75 for the beginner book and needs ‘supplies’ for 6th grade band.

What instruments do you have in the house?