25 Piano Gifts for Young Musicians

Metronome – The friend and nemesis of all musicians! It is always a useful tool to have at the piano. This metronome is a great size and has volume control (my mom for one could not stand the ticking sound of the metronome!). I loved it so much that I bought several to use with the children’s band at my church.
Metronomes are essential for practice and came in at no. 3 on my list of the Top 7 Practice Tools Every Piano Student Should Have.

Music Book Clip – There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of playing a piece and watching the book slowly shutting! This book holder will help keep those books laying flat on the book rack.
This is another essential practice tool and came in at no. 6 on my list of Top 7 Practice Tools Every Piano Student Should Have.

Manuscript Paper for Younger Kids – A perfect sized notebook for writing down compositions. It has a nice wide staff (easier for kids to write music on), 100 pages, and is 8.5 x 11 inches.
Manuscript paper is incredibly versatile and important for any piano student which is why it took the No. 2 spot on my list of Top 7 Practice Tools Every Piano Student Should Have.

Manuscript Paper for Older Kids and Teens – A perfect sized notebook for writing down compositions. It has holes to easily fit inside a three-ring binder, 64 pages, and is 8.5 x 11 inches.

Sheet Music Folder – I love the idea of students curating a folder of their favorite pieces. Pieces that they have mastered and loved and can easily revisit anytime they feel the urge to just play! This folder is a perfect place to put these pieces. The plastic sheet protectors keep those precious favorites safe as they are played over and over again!

All About the Grand Staff with Guido D’Arezzo and Yookan the Toucan – Shameless plug of my book! It is a great choice for students who are just starting to learn to read music on the grand staff. My daughter has been playing for years and she picks up this book at least once a month to read for fun! She’s my biggest and best cheerleader! For more on my book, visit my blogpost about it.

Family Dynamics – An adorable adventure into the orchestra. Children get to meet the different instrument families along with Violin as she discovers her unique sound. Created by a music educator, the illustrations are whimsical and full of life.

Who was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? – The Who Was series is a great introduction for kids to learn about famous people, places, and events throughout history. In this book from the series, kids get to meet the great Classical Period composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! I’m still waiting on a “Who was Ludwig van Beethoven?”…

Robert Schumann’s Advice to Young Musicians – Robert Schumann besides being an innovative and extremely creative composer, was a prolific writer. His original “Advice to Young Musicians” was published in 1848 and so much of it still holds true today! World-renowned cellist and author, Steven Isserlis takes Robert Schumann’s words of wisdom and brings them into our times, providing some additional thoughts from his own career. The chapters are short and filled with encouragement, advice and wisdom. For older readers and teens.

Why Beethoven threw the Stew – Steven Isserlis introduces older kids and teens to the people behind the great music! Ever witty and always informative, Isserlis brings six of his favorite composers to life: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and Stravinsky. And if your kid enjoys this book, don’t miss the sequel Why Handel Waggled his Wig!

Music Literacy Matters – I often have to go over how 1st and 2nd endings for repeated sections work with my students. This t-shirt is a hilarious way to remember how they work! It’s the music version of “Eats shoots and leaves”. LOL

Piano Girl – This one I bought for my daughter years ago and she still wears it! It’s a favorite around here. Over time (and numerous washes!) it has taken on a vintage look which has made it look even cooler.

Music Theory – I have a music theory cheat sheet poster on my studio wall from Tone Deaf Comics. The kids are fascinated by it and we often refer to it when we are talking about theory concepts (especially the circle of 5ths). This t-shirt allows them to wear their music theory with pride!

Grand Piano Patent Print – The technical drawing of a 1928 grand piano patent looks incredibly cool on this t-shirt. Pianos are always cool, but there is something to be said about the beauty of a technical drawing showing the intricate details of the construction of a grand piano.

Think outside the Bachs – Ok, I laughed a little too hard at this one. And I’ve decided to get it for myself; it’s perfectly nerdy! It’s for the all die-hard classical pianists out there.

Music Themed Jibbitz –  Let them bling out their Crocs with these adorable jibbitz.

Piano Purse  – Seriously, how cute is this?!! I’ll probably end up getting this for myself. (Update: I did!! I actually got the black and white one AND the pink one! They are adorable!)

Piano Necktie – This is perfect for a recital! I’m hoping one of my students shows up at our 2023 recital wearing this.

Piano Winter Scarf – This reminds me of a scarf that my grandmother knitted for me when I was a teenager. It’s a very stylish way to stay warm this winter!

Piano Shoelaces –  Imagine these on a cute pair of Converse sneakers. Adorable!

My Piano Pal Pillow – This adorable little pillow will smile at you no matter how your practice session is going! Handmade by a music educator and oh-so-cute, this pillow is perfect for any young pianist’s bedroom! It also comes in a version without a face.

Music Blanket – And if you have a piano pillow, you definitely need a blanket to curl up into while practicing on these cold winter nights or just to snuggle with.

Piano Tumbler – Because you need to stay hydrated while practicing (just remember to put it on the floor, not on top of the piano!).

Rainbow Music Tumbler – For those of us who dream of rainbow colored music (or have synesthesia, like Scriabin and Liszt claimed they had. They said they could see specific colors when they heard different notes.)

Pastabilities Music Pasta –  I thought this was hilarious! It’s a bit pricey for pasta, but you can make a whole themed-dinner out of it (and maybe even get your child to give a little mini-recital for the family! That’s what one of my piano families did!).