15 Awesome Gifts for Musicians

We get it — choosing gifts for musicians can be tough, whether that be for birthdays, holidays, or a special occasion.

We can be elusive at times and if our music didn’t make it clear already, many of us love all things unique! But “fret” no further because we’ve got a list of 15 awesome gifts the musicians in your life are sure to love. How do we know? Because each of the items below was recommended by the proud musicians here at Songtradr.

 

Mic Stand Cup Holder

This nifty, simple accessory will come in handy during an artists’ set or studio session. Mic stand cup holders can carry drinks, headphones, or a number of other small items so that musicians can keep their hands free. 

Mixtape pillow

Picture it. It’s the year 2000. You’re making a mixtape for a music columnist you’re slowly, but surely, getting the hots for. You break the fourth wall constantly just to talk about her. Okay fine, that’s the plot to High Fidelity. Gone are the days of the cassette tape, but there’s never any shortage of nostalgic presents you can give your love, like this customizable Mixtape pillow.

Music lessons

Artists of all styles are often trying to find new ways to improve their craft. No matter how seasoned the musician on your shopping list is, most music schools offer something that can help expand their skill set. They also offer community and networking opportunities. In person, or online classes could be a great way to show how much you care! 

Tickets to See Their Favorite Band

Quick: What’s the first album you ever purchased? Think about how much that artist impacted your life. We’ve all been moved by music and shaped in so many ways by our favorite artists. This is especially true for musicians. Whether we’re feeling stumped in our creative process, or just in the mood to switch things up, experiencing a concert by our favorite artist can spark inspiration and awaken musicians in ways nothing else can.

Quality Earplugs

Okay, sure, earplugs may not sound too exciting at first. But trust us, once you drop some of these facts, the musicians in your life will thank you. Ready for some hard truth? Professional musicians are nearly four times more likely to develop hearing problems due to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). But there’s hope — wearing high-quality earplugs during loud concerts or rehearsals can help protect musicians from hearing loss and tinnitus. You’ll see, this gift plays the long game.

Musical Serving Board

You’ve heard of music chairs, but how about Musical Serving Boards? Next time your musician friend has a party, these cool kitchen accessories can add an artistic flare under cheese and charcuterie…And then maybe you’ll be inspired to play musical chairs? Full circle! 

Capos

It’s not uncommon for one of these little guys to get lost in the mix, so snagging a capo for the guitarists in your life might just make their day.

A Record Player

History buffs or older music fans know songs can feel totally different when played on one of these machines. Give the gift of a musical archive and let your loved one hear what music may have sounded like many generations ago. Maybe they’ll even be inspired to make a vinyl version of their own tunes.

 

Guitar Amp Key Holder

Give the gift of functional and cool with a key holder that mimics an item quite familiar to many musicians, guitar amps. Your friend or loved one will be reminded of the musician’s journey each time they head out for the day or settle in for the night.

 

Reclaimed Instrument Bottle Openers

Play. Recycle. Drink: In that order. Well, at least that’s how these Reclaimed Instrument Bottle Openers get the (eco-conscious) party started. Each one of these handmade openers is made from vintage, recycled instruments — so basically, every time you drink you’re helping the planet! 

Creative Writing Books

Cool lyric journals, books with musical writing prompts, free-form notebooks to promote imagination; There’s a lot of power in pen-to-paper, written ideas, especially for artists. Give the musician in your life a notebook you think fits them best, and maybe it’ll help them write their next song. 

 

Record Clock

What time is it? Time to rock out, obviously. Musicians will always be on time with this handmade timepiece, or at least very, fashionably late. 

Artist Biographies

Like experiencing a favorite artist’s concert, reading about their journey can be an inspirational process for musicians. It’s nice to know someone you admire went through hardships before, or even throughout, their success. Also, musicians have some of the most fascinating stories. Curling up to read about the life adventures of David Bowie sounds like a good time, indeed.

Studio Headphones

You can’t go wrong with a nice pair of studio-grade headphones. Depending on the kind you choose, these can be good for recording or listening back to mixes. An added plus is that artists will likely use these headphones to listen to other music as well.

Studio Time

Now, this is a big one. Every musician needs a studio, or somewhere to record music. A few hours reserved in a nice studio space could mean better masters and higher production value. Which could then lead to a better opportunity for syncs or more potential fans landing on their work. Now keep in mind, artists often like to pick their own studio, so unless you know for sure you may want to start a studio fund rather than pick the actual space. Talk about an investment!