Thanksgiving has come and gone and with it, Black Friday 2011. If you chose to avoid the crowds and finish your holiday shopping at a more leisurely--and probably safer--pace this year, you may still have a few people to cross off your Christmas list. If some of those people happen to be songwriters, musicians or music lovers--well, you're in luck! HillTop Records presents its 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for Songwriters and Musicians:
Gift Cards
Everyone loves a gift card, right? While it may seem a bit obvious, this is a great choice for the music-lover in your life who already has it all (or just very picky tastes.) Try iTunes for music downloads, Amazon for books and sheet music, or Ticketmaster for concert and festival tickets. You really can't go wrong with this favorite stocking stuffer.
Reading Material
Songwriters and musicians are constantly honing their craft, and the process can include a lot of reading. Here are some excellent books on the craft of music making--and the business of music selling:
All You Need To Know About The Music Business by Donald S. Passman
1000 Songwriting Ideas by Lisa Aschmann
Brilliant! by Michael Moore
Or, for just $12, you could get the songwriter in your life a whole year's subscription to American Songwriter magazine.
Tools of the Trade
A metronome is always a great gift for a musician. The Wittner Wood Metronome is both stylish and functional.
Every guitarist and bass player needs a guitar tuner. There are plenty on the market. The Korg GA1 Guitar and Bass Tuner is a solid choice.
Along the same lines, guitar picks and strings make excellent stocking stuffers. Best Buy tends to have a great variety.
Got a drummer in your life? Ditch the picks and strings, and grab some sticks instead! Drumsticks today run the gamut from traditional and reliable (like this 12-pack of Nova Hickory Drumsticks) to the truly remarkable (the Vic Firth Lite Stix LED Drumsticks let you create your own 7-color light show, complete with strobe effects, while you play!)
The Schilke Standard Series Trumpet Mouthpiece comes from a trusted label. It was specially designed to assist the student, teacher, amateur and professional alike.
A good microphone always comes in handy. Check out the Shure SM57 Instrument/Vocal Mic.
A Gibson Guitar Care Kit or a similar care kit for another instrument is a necessity, and perhaps one that your musician did not think to purchase on his or her own.
The M-Audio FastTrack Pro is a great first audio interface--and thanks to current online sales, it can be purchased at an incredibly low price.
The Vox Valvetronix Guitar Combo Amp is convenient, versatile, and powerful. What more could you want in an amp?
You never know when inspiration is going to strike. A prolific songwriter needs a sturdy songwriting journal that can withstand the wear and tear. This one by Italy Luca Natalizia for Barnes & Noble is tough yet elegant.
Gifts That Keep on Giving
If you have the cash, you might want to spring for local music lessons or, if that is not convenient given your budget or location, online music lessons. If you are looking for the right gift for a successful songwriter or musician, consider donating to his or her favorite charity.
MasterWriter songwriting software would also make a very thoughtful (albeit expensive) Christmas gift.
Another present that any music industry professional will find him- or herself using over and over again is a professional membership to IndieConnect.
Don't have a songwriter or musician to shop for this Christmas? Then maybe you'll want to put some of these items on your own wish list! And remember to Click on "Buy CDs and Songbooks" then type in BG-20 to purchase our just-released GREAT AMERICAN GOSPEL SONGBOOK. Thirty three great new songs by our Songwriters. Keep checking back with us here at HillTop Records as we help make your holiday season music-filled and memorable!
