When it comes to finding gift ideas for musicians, there are so many cool gifts to choose from! Whether you’re looking for Christmas gift ideas, birthday gifts, a housewarming present, or any other special occasion, we’ve got you covered. Lots of gift idea lists are often separated into gifts for him and gifts for her, but we believe the best gifts are the ones that are personalized depending on the person! Unique gifts don’t have to be expensive- they just have to be thoughtful. We’ve all seen those tacky gifts for musicians (a cheap mug that says “plays guitar like a boss”, a keyring shaped like a music note, a tote-bag that says “music is life”) and they will usually end up in the bottom of a junk drawer. Follow our gift guide for musicians and music lovers alike and find the perfect gift that is both practical and thoughtful.
1. Music Instrument Accessories
A simple and practical gift for musicians are music instrument accessories! For guitarists, this could include cables, picks, new strings, a nice leather strap, or a guitar tuner. These gifts can be great as holiday gifts, especially as a stocking stuffer. If you have a bit more of a budget, you can look into getting them a nice amp or a sweet new guitar pedal. If you want give them a personalized gift that is also practical, you can get a monogrammed case for their instrument. For beginner pianists, a metronome is essential for developing rhythm! Sheet music is also a great gift for all musicians looking to learn new songs and can also be personalized depending on who you’re buying it for. Do you know that they love pop songs from the 80s? You can certainly find a collection of songs that they can add to their repertoire. There are lots of music instrument accessories out there that are more in the realm of tech gifts: Bluetooth guitar jacks, a MIDI controller, or why not a pocket synth like the Stylophone?
2. Recording Equipment and Headphones
If they’re into recording their own music but don’t have the equipment, this could make the perfect gift! Consider gifting them a microphone, audio interface, or studio headphones to enhance their recording setup or home studio. Maybe they are already producing music but need better studio monitor speakers to properly mix and master their tracks! Recording equipment is one of the best gifts you can give a budding musician who is interested in producing their own work. To read about how to create the best budget home studio and the equipment you need, check out our article dedicated to the topic here.
3. A Groover Gift Card for Music Promotion
Do you want to find an original gift that will help them in developing their career as an artist? Give them a Groover gift card to promote their project! Groover is an innovative platform that allows artists to get in touch with music industry professionals, promote their music, and get opportunities to really get their music heard. For 2 Grooviz, or 2 euros, an artist can send their music and a pitch to an influencer of their choosing: media, labels, managers, publishers, and more. Within 7 days, they will get feedback guaranteed or get their Grooviz back to send to someone else! Check out the Groover gift card options here and read about why it’s the perfect music gift for emerging artists looking to gain visibility!
4. Music Books and Biographies
Is your musician friend also a book enthusiast who loves reading? There is so much great literature out there about music and interesting artist biographies and autobiographies to choose from. As artists, we often can learn from each other and inspire one another. There is also so much to learn in terms of music history! Are they interested in how hip-hop started? Check out the book Can’t Stop Won’t Stop by Jeff Chang. Maybe they want more of a memoir about rock n roll? Check out Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein or Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon. For a more general overview from David Byrne’s perspective, check out How Music Works or This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel J. Levitin. Especially if you don’t have much time, books can make a great last minute gift.
5. Festival and Concert Tickets
Out of the best gift ideas for musicians, festival and concert tickets are pretty high on the list- especially for the musician who already has it all. Instead of going through lists of gifts and gadgets, check out if any of their favorite artists are performing in their city! Concert tickets make a great anniversary gift because it is also a moment you can share with your loved one. Want to give concert tickets as a Christmas gift? Maybe there is a special show at the symphony to get you in the holiday season spirit. Looking for Valentine’s day concerts? Check out romantic candlelit concerts near you.
6. Sessions in a Recording Studio
For the musician who is ready to record their next track, think about giving them the unique gift of sessions in a recording studio! It can be expensive to record in a professional music studio so this gift is certainly practical and can be appreciated by all. Check out local music studios in your area and see what their rates are! This gift can also be a great way for some music lovers to live out their dreams of singing in a studio. It can be an empowering experience! Let’s say your mom loves singing and mother’s day is just around the corner. She’s always wanted to record herself singing but never has had the opportunity or the time. Imagine her surprise when you give her 2 hours in a local studio with a sound engineer to record a track- talk about the coolest gift ever.
7. Music Wall Art, Framed Band Photographs, or Guitar Wall Mounts
Looking for unique gift ideas that will add to their home decor? Music wall art or framed photographs of their favorite band can make awesome gifts. Do they have an impressive guitar collection? Get them some wall mounts to put their instruments on display. Maybe they need an organizer for their CD or record collection. There are even recycled records that have been turned into sculptures or bowls! Out of our top gift ideas, this is definitely the most subjective one- for those who are particular about their home decor, maybe choose a more practical gift instead. If you’re sure of their tastes and know they’ll love it, go for it! This type of musical gift is great for a housewarming present idea for example.
8. A DAW, Subscription Service, or Plug-Ins
For the budding music producer, gifting a DAW (digital audio workstation) or a subscription service is a great idea. Some of the top DAWs out there include Ableton Live (from 79 euros), Apple Logic Pro (from 230 euros), Avid Pro Tools (28 euros a month), and Steinberg Cubase (from 89 euros). This type of gift could really spark their creativity and encourage them to make more music. You can think about getting them a subscription service to a popular music magazine, online lessons like with MasterClass, or an audio sample library like Splice. If they are already well-versed in using DAWs and could benefit from having an extra gadget, think about getting them that VST plug-in they’ve been wanting for so long! This could either be a virtual instrument or an effect plug-in, used to enhance their music production.
9. Vinyls, a Turntable, or a Bluetooth Speaker
Sometimes the best gift ideas for musicians are simple: music! Vinyls are making a come back in a big way. If they have a turntable already, think about offering them a vinyl to discover a new band or a retro classic they know and love. Maybe there is a special collectible vinyl that just came out of a remaster of their favorite album! If you want to get them a record player, there are options out there for all budgets. Some new turntables even have Bluetooth options so that they can connect their phone and play music easily! If they are someone who likes to enjoy listening to music wherever they go, think about getting them a Bluetooth speaker. Or if you’re looking for more of a novelty or gag gift, why not a waterproof shower radio!
10. Group Gift: The Instrument of Their Dreams
Still looking for gift ideas for musicians? If you have a big budget or are going in on a group gift together, why not get them the instrument of their dreams? Let’s face it, musical instruments can be expensive. Imagine it’s your best friend’s 21st birthday and she’s been obsessing over a Fender electric guitar. Instead of buying her a shot-glass with a guitar on it, why not organize a group gift to have all her friends pitch in and celebrate the occasion! Maybe it’s your dad’s 50th birthday and he’s always wanted to learn how to play the piano. A piano may be out of your budget (even for a group present) but what about a nice Roland keyboard? The best gift ideas for musicians are usually ones that they can use every day and will inspire them to keep doing what they do best.
11. Gift Ideas for Musicians Bonus: Kids Gifts!
Looking for gift ideas for musicians but for kids? Sometimes it can be difficult to find a gift for children that they will be able to use, appreciate, and mostly, stay interested in. Fortunately, we’ve got some great gifts for kids that are music related and can also help in their development, attentiveness, and creativity! Our top choice that works for all ages (even for a new baby!) is the Maiasaura MAÏA speaker that offers a quality audio library of stories, nursery rhymes, and lullabies. Children can listen to music from around the world without being on a screen! Another great gift for kids that can spark their creativity is the Playtronica Midi controller Playtron. Parents will have to help connect the device to a computer or a phone, but then they can connect the cables to different objects (like fruits, spoons, stuffed animals, etc) and let their child’s creativity and touch do the rest! For older kids, you can find gifts like a lyrics notebook to inspire them to start writing or a quirky instrument like a melodica.
We hope these gift ideas for musicians have inspired you to find that great gift idea you’ve been looking for! If you still aren’t inspired and you’re into crafts, how about a handmade gift? Handmade gifts are some of the most thoughtful gifts out there. You can do something as simple as framing a photo you took of them on stage as a keepsake. Overall, we hope you find the best musical gift for that special someone!
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