Absolutely, yes, it is! A piano can transform your life! However, there are also smaller and more affordable gifts for musicians that still bring joy. Here are some gift ideas and tips to help you understand music lovers a bit better.
Speaking of pianos, it doesn’t have to be a full-sized concert grand. An iPad or iPhone piano app is also an excellent choice. Of course, it’s not quite the same experience, but it’s much more affordable and space-efficient. And the best part: A piano app still allows you to create real music and enjoy the rich sounds of a grand piano.
To fully enjoy a piano app, you’ll still need a MIDI keyboard. However, for around $20, an app can be an excellent first step into the world of music. Whether it becomes a career or stays a hobby, the most important thing is the music!
Whether it’s a high-tech gadget or a classic piano for Christmas, musical gifts tend to be cherished for a lifetime, especially if they have personal meaning. For example, I still keep a miniature Rhodes on my music desk—a decades-old gift from a friend. You really treasure those kinds of things.
Indeed, musical instruments are lifelong companions. Thomann beautifully captured this sentiment in the following video, titled ‘Always by Your Side.’
If you’re not a musician, you might think there’s little difference—or a lot of overlap—between music lovers and musicians. While it’s true that most musicians, naturally, love music, they have a completely different perspective: They tend to be much more focused on making music and exploring instruments as well as accessories. In addition, musicians often have specific tastes when it comes to things like CDs or concert tickets.
Given that many musicians have a bit of a ‘nerdy’ side, it’s easy to misjudge a well-intentioned gift. While a well-designed radio could be appreciated, it might not hit the mark. And a tie with a piano key motif? You’re on thin ice!
A voucher from Thomann, on the other hand, is sure to be a hit!
(Bank) notes are always a thoughtful gift, but you can make this even more special by pairing it with a sheet music booklet. It’s a great way to add a personal touch or send a subtle message. Here are a few examples of what a music book might convey:
If you’re not a musician, it’s important to know that not all sheet music is the same. Sheet music books often contain pieces notated for different instruments. For example, drum notation differs significantly from guitar notation, while the latter distinguishes between tablature and finger positioning.
Even keyboard sheet music differs from piano sheet music. Piano sheet music typically does not use chord symbols and always features separate staves for the right hand (treble clef) and the left hand (bass clef).
Songbooks are often versatile, but their usefulness depends on their format. Lead sheets, which include only the melody, lyrics, and chord symbols (or chord diagrams for guitar), are ideal for band play. For keyboardists, songbooks with fingering charts are more appropriate. While lead sheets can be challenging for beginners, including a chord diagram can make them more accessible.
A fantastic gift for anyone who enjoys playing and learning songs from sheet music is a subscription to OKTAV. This online service provides access to a vast library of sheet music through a streaming flat rate. OKTAV’s extensive archive includes sheet music from a variety of genres, with pieces available at different difficulty levels as well as specific notation for different instruments.
But OKTAV offers more than just sheet music. It provides sound examples and synchronized playback that are incredibly useful for learning and practicing. In addition, integrated YouTube videos will inspire your own creativity. These cover versions usually show many different ways to play a song on the piano.
When choosing a gift, consider not just the instrument you’re giving, but also the one the recipient plays. There are gifts available for musicians across all instruments—whether they are drummers, guitarists, bassists, percussionists, singers, rappers, electronic musicians, DJs, or beatmakers.
Tip: Thomann’s online shop features a well-organized “Gifts for Musicians” section. Here, you can browse by instrument group to discover popular products in each category.
However, the following tips and gift ideas are focused entirely on pianos.
If you’re looking for a gift for a musician, you might think that buying an actual instrument is a bit much. However, you don’t have to invest in a piano right away. If you know someone interested in taking piano lessons, a little encouragement and an affordable gift might be just what they need. It doesn’t have to be expensive.
Many music schools offer trial lessons, so why not check with a local one? A trial lesson can make a great gift certificate and is an excellent opportunity for beginners. During the lesson, the piano teacher can answer questions and give valuable tips on how to get started.
Some music stores offer piano rentals, which can be a great option for those not ready to commit to a purchase. Renting a piano has two key advantages:
Terms can vary by dealer. For example, entry-level pianos typically rent for around $70 per month, while larger models cost more. A grand piano can be rented for about $180 per month. Additionally, rental agreements often include delivery and setup services.
This would also make a unique gift idea for someone who simply wants to try playing the piano. For those without easy access to a piano, you can rent a practice room by the hour. PianoMe is a recommended platform for finding available piano rooms in your city.
As mentioned earlier, a grand or upright piano isn’t the only option. There are many creative ways to incorporate the theme of “piano” or music into a gift. Let’s start with some of the smaller items.
A classic gift for pianists is a Beethoven bust, which adds a touch of elegance to any piano or digital piano. Be mindful that larger busts can be quite pricey, but smaller versions made of marble or porcelain start at around $20. For a more budget-friendly option, consider key rings, which come in various designs. Why not gift a Mozart keychain?
Of course, Beethoven is a classic choice, but a pocket synthesizer like the Korg Monotron Delay takes things to a whole new level. Although you can’t play “Für Elise” on it—after all, it’s a purely analog synthesizer with an echo effect—you can create all sorts of interesting sounds. Compact and lightweight, it fits in your pocket and runs on batteries so you can make music anywhere—except underwater.
For a practical and indispensable music gadget, consider a metronome. The Thomann CM-10, priced at around $6, is a great budget option. Its clip allows you to easily attach it to your music book. If the bright sound of the electronic beat generator does not suit your taste, you might opt for the Thomann CTM-700. While slightly more expensive, it offers a range of sounds. For the best “click quality,” I personally recommend the Tama RW-200 “Rhythm Watch.”
While it might not be the cheapest option, the Wittner Super Mini 880 in Mahogany combines elegance with functionality. As a mechanical metronome, it provides a more tactile experience compared to digital models. Its acoustic Taktell produces a pleasing sound—it even comes in a protective wooden box to keep it safe from dust.
If you know someone who has been playing the piano for a while, they might benefit from a good piano light. Not only do these lights add a stylish touch, but they are also incredibly practical. Prices for piano lights can vary significantly, starting at around $60. High-end brass models, however, can cost over $300.
Depending on the size of the digital piano, a piano light placed next to the music stand can be a practical addition. For instance, check out this energy-efficient LED piano light by König & Meyer.
You can certainly spend a lot on a piano bench, and it’s easy to be startled by the prices when browsing through the product categories online While a high-end bench for a grand piano priced around $200,000 can indeed be quite expensive, you don’t need to break the bank. For about $50, you can find a quality piano bench that suits your needs.
You can also find similar items as brooches, pins, or earrings. For example, a small accordion pin may be a unique choice, but it’s still a keyboard instrument. Alternatively, a clef pin or a Mollenhauer miniature recorder pin makes a special, appealing gift. Earrings featuring a recorder motif are also quite extravagant.
Miniature harmonicas, the Zildjian mini cymbal, and drumsticks as keychains might not seem to fit the “piano” theme, but they are definitely cool.
Miniature guitar amps with slots for up to four keychains in the form of jack plugs are a real hit. Even the miniature harmonica has its own unique style.
Stylish and useful—t-shirts and hoodies are more than just a staple of a musician’s lifestyle. There’s a wide selection of music-themed designs available. The key is the message conveyed by the design! For example, the Orange T-shirt is a standout choice, even for those who don’t play electric guitar or bass. Orange’s amps have been iconic since the late ’60s, and the hippie-esque logo with “Orange—The legendary british guitar amplifier” has become a cult symbol in its own right.
We found a cool motif for piano players at Spreadshirt: The hoodie features the evolution of mankind up to the piano and costs about $45.
Would these be a good gift? Actually yes, as musicians can always use something to help transport and store accessories, cables, and more. There’s a wide variety of options available, including bags, gig bags, and cases in different shapes and sizes. Even simple items like a shopping bag, a shoulder bag, or a foldable mini shopper with a music-themed design can make a thoughtful gift. So yes, bags, totes, and backpacks are excellent choices for musicians!
It doesn’t have to be a grand piano right away… If you’re looking for a digital piano, and you want it to be as small as possible, you actually have a few options. A classic choice is the toy piano, a charming little instrument that uses bars instead of strings. This design results in a unique sound—an enjoyable experience for both young and old.
The Korg Tiny Piano may look like a toy piano, but it is actually a digital piano with high-quality piano sounds. Priced at around $200, it is also significantly more expensive than a traditional toy piano.
The Roland Go:Piano is a portable digital piano with full-size keys, making it an excellent choice for beginners. It features 61 keys, which, while fewer than a full-sized piano, contribute to its compact, lightweight, and portable design.
Although the built-in speakers may not deliver exceptional sound, the Go:Piano excels with its advanced technology. It offers high-quality sounds that also sound great through headphones and supports Bluetooth connectivity. This feature allows you to stream online lessons directly from your tablet or smartphone to the instrument’s playback system. Excellent!
Don’t let the small size of the Yamaha Reface CP fool you. Although its miniature keys aren’t ideal for learning to play the piano, Yamaha has packed the instrument with high-quality sounds. The focus on vintage-inspired sounds is particularly pleasing. Despite the compact keyboard, the sounds cover the full 88-key range.
Once you’ve mastered your first few notes on this mini piano, you can use the Yamaha Reface CP as a sound module with a larger keyboard. The built-in sounds and effects are exceptional, and the overall build quality is top-notch.
If you know someone who plays a digital piano, they might be missing out on the right headphones. The built-in speakers on smaller, entry-level digital pianos are often quite limited. Given the compact size of portable pianos, exceptional sound quality is rather unrealistic.
However, modern entry-level pianos can sound remarkably good with the right headphones. The piano sounds richer and more balanced—you almost feel like you are in a large concert hall.
While you can invest heavily in premium headphones, it’s not necessary to enjoy excellent sound. Affordable circumaural studio headphones, like the Superlux HD-681, priced just under $25, provide both impressive audio quality and comfort for extended playing sessions.
While a voucher might seem like a fallback option, it can be a thoughtful and practical choice. Musicians often have specific tastes and preferences, making a voucher a versatile and appreciated gift option.
A gift voucher from an online store can be a lifesaver, especially when you’re looking for a last-minute present. You can purchase a Thomann Gift Voucher online, with the amount customizable up to a maximum value of $250.
After purchase, the voucher’s balance can be managed through your customer account. The voucher never expires and can be used at any time, either for online orders or in-person purchases at Musikhaus Thomann. The recipient simply needs to enter the voucher number into their customer account. Vouchers are delivered via email, SMS, or post, offering flexible options for gifting.
If you already own an instrument, piano lessons can be a great addition, especially if you’re teaching yourself. While online music schools like music2me may not be the best fit for children, they offer a valuable alternative or complement to traditional piano lessons for adult beginners and returning players.
Online lessons are particularly beneficial for busy professionals who can’t attend regular classes. With lessons available as educational videos, you can progress at your own pace and fit practice into your schedule.
For beginners, music2me’s keyboard stickers featuring note names and explanations of musical notation can be a helpful tool.
Playing the piano for very little money—that’s what these software solutions promise. However, whether piano VSTs are a good gift for musicians depends on a few key factors that you should consider beforehand. A piano VST requires a computer or laptop to work. Provided the device is reasonably up-to-date, the VST should perform well. For our top 5 piano VSTs, we’ve chosen instruments with moderate system requirements.
Pros and Cons
For those familiar with or already owning the Nord Grand, the Nord Grand 2 is definitely worth a closer look. The sonic improvements over the previous model are remarkable, particularly due to the advanced layer function.
Grand 2 : 3.743,00 €
TO THE OFFERWhether for classical, pop, jazz, or film music: If you're looking for a versatile all-rounder at a very reasonable price, the Galaxy Vintage D is well worth a closer look.
Galaxy Vintage D : 129,00 €
TO THE OFFERPros and Cons
Toontrack EZkeys Studio Grand is a compact piano library that impresses with its timeless sound and intuitive design.
Pros and Cons
UJAM Virtual Pianist Vogue is an innovative piano library that stands out thanks to its excellent presets and versatile Virtual Pianist Engine.
Piano apps are available for both smartphones and tablets, often at a lower cost than piano VSTs. However, the focus tends to be on iPhone and iPad users, with a more limited selection for Android devices. Despite their affordability, piano apps make excellent gifts for musicians—and are also a great option for those who want to explore playing the piano without a significant investment.
Using a piano app is quite straightforward: You simply need a mobile device and a camera connection kit to connect it to the keyboard through USB.
The key to making the most of a piano app is sound quality. For instance, e-Instruments Pure Piano offers studio-quality concert grand piano sounds. Such a piano app—and, of course, a piano VST—is a real treat for those who already own an entry-level digital piano.
Additionally, there are numerous apps available for learning to read music and practicing ear training. The selection is quite extensive on both iOS and Android platforms.
Thanks to the intuitive Morph Pad function, sound editing isn't limited to seasoned experts—the innovative and user-friendly design ensures that anyone can explore its vast possibilities. Most importantly, Pure Piano sounds absolutely stunning. A must-have!
e-Instruments Pure Piano : 29.99 €
TO THE OFFERPros and Cons
For those who seek the authentic charm of a high-quality upright piano—perhaps to expand the sonic possibilities of their digital piano with a dedicated app—Pure Upright offers an exceptional and characterful sound.
Pure Upright : 29,99 €
TO THE OFFERA virtual keyboard studio ideal for on-the-go. Professional sounds, easy to use.
Module Pro : 39.99 €
TO THE OFFERA powerful, rich, and brilliant concert grand piano for iOS devices.
Ravenscroft 275 Piano : 39.99 €
TO THE OFFERWhat Synthogy has achieved with this compact expansion is nothing short of a small technological marvel: In combination with Korg Module, you get a brilliant, realistic-sounding grand piano right on your iPhone.
*Affiliate link. These “advertising links” help us finance our website. If you buy a product through such a link, we receive a small commission – at no extra cost to you. The PIANOO.com team says thank you for your support!
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