Entrepreneurship: What Musicians Want This Holiday Season
Tips: Last Minute Gifts For The Musician In Your Life
By Emily Kulinowski
The season of gift giving is here- and that means last minute holiday shopping for many. It can be easy to not have the energy to go out to stores this year, especially when we get caught up in our busy lives. Having some helpful last minute tips can get you those great gifts for the musician in your life this holiday.
My First Instrument
I always had music around me- whether that was music on the radio, singing in the car, or knowing family members who played instruments. My first introduction to music was getting the gift of a keyboard for Christmas when I was seven years old. This would flourish into a newfound love and passion for music, starting my journey to where I am today.
According to the National Retail Federation’s President & CEO Matthew Shay, “Despite economic headwinds, November retail sales data confirms that consumers continue to spend, as demonstrated by a 14 percent increase in sales year-over-year.”
With overall consumer spending on the rise, this could mean larger profits for emerging musicians. From gigs, to merchandise and resources, musicians have a lot to offer this holiday season.
Giving the gift of music is the perfect way to not only support local musicians, but to share the love and enjoyment music can bring to those in your life. With last minute shopping in full swing, here are some tips on gifts for the musician in your life this holiday.
1.Music Subscriptions
It’s almost 2022, and there are so many options for streaming these days. With the wide range of platforms available there’s bound to be at least one you like.
Here’s a list of the top five music streaming services in 2021, according to Business Insider:
Each streaming service has a variety of options, including free with ads and subscription based models. Gifting a music streaming service is a great option because it allows people to listen to their favorite artists wherever they go.
Streaming services have been the way of the world the last few years- for all media. Spotify even offers student discount bundles with video streaming which can be a great option for student musicians in your life.
Music platforms offer more than just music; many podcasts can also be found. When it comes to your music you want to have access to it no matter where or when. As a musician, having a music streaming service is not only beneficial to listen to others music, but you can also promote your own music as well.
The versatility that a music subscription has is endless; it is a gift the musician in your life will use every day.
“Being able to offer coaching sessions or lessons is the gift that keeps on giving because you’ve helped someone grow on their musical journey. ”
2.Books for Musicians
Sometimes it can be hard to find time to sit down and read. However, the amount of amazing books out there related to music is astonishing. As musicians, we should make the effort to carve out more personal wellness and development time in our schedule.
Over the last few years I’ve accumulated a lot of self help books and books about the music industry. Reading books like these have the chance to give you tips and advice to better your career and well-being, as well as boost your drive and confidence as a musician.
According to a study done by the University of Minnesota, reading can reduce stress levels up to 68 percent. We can always use more tools to reduce stress, so why not read and reduce stress while we gain valuable knowledge?
Some great books I’ve been reading related to the music industry and self help:
Lessons From a Street-Wise Professor: What You Won’t Learn at Most Music Schools, by Ramon Ricker
The Savvy Musician: Building a Career, Earning a Living, & Making a Difference, by David Cutler
Hearing In Time: Psychological Aspects of Musical Meter, by Justin London
Pink Noises: Women on Electronic Music and Sound, by Tara Rodgers
Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting it Right When You Have To, by Sian Beilock
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life, by Mark Manson
Books these days are easy to gift because you have many options available to you. Whether you order online or in store, physical or digital copy, the musician in your life will thank you for the thoughtful gift of reading.
5 Essential Tools Every Musician Needs- The Den Collective
3.Music-Making Equipment
It doesn’t have to take a lot to make music, but there are lots of tools available for musicians to do so. Whether it’s instruments themselves or tools for recording, music equipment can help the musician in your life keep making music.
Many music stores have holiday discounts going on, so it can be helpful to keep an eye out for them when shopping.
Equipment such as microphones, cables, headphones, metronomes, and midi controllers important tools for success when recording. Other helpful gifts could mean looking into specifics about the instrument and gifting spare parts or accessories for it.
Instruments and their accessories can get pricey at times, so don’t be afraid to get something small or even a gift card for their favorite music store. The musician in your life will be grateful you’re interested in helping them grow on their journey- no matter what capacity.
4.Music Lessons & Coaching Sessions
One of the top gifts musicians always want are lessons and coaching sessions. We’re always wanting to learn more about our craft, and to be able to learn from other professionals about our instrument or the industry is a great opportunity to grow.
Lessons and coaching sessions can be expensive- but they don’t have to be. Many professionals offer a variety of price points and payment plans for those interested. Even just one lesson can spark the joy and love for music.
Music lessons of course build one's musical understanding and abilities, but they provide so many more benefits than most people realize. Language skills grow because you are exposed to words from other languages. Studies have shown it can help increase IQ and become stronger in academics.
Taking music lessons teaches discipline, which as a child can be important when learning concentration and patience. Motor skills are challenged when learning an instrument, and this can help improve a child's coordination and strength.
Social skills and learning about other cultures also occurs when taking music lessons. Students learn how to interact with others, work together, and encourage their peers. They also learn about other cultures through learning their music.
Learning music can bring joy and make people feel good because you feel accomplished by learning a new skill. Music can evoke a lot of emotions, and it not only brings joy to the player but the audience as well.
Being able to offer coaching sessions or lessons to the musician in your life will be one of the most rewarding gifts you can give them. It’s the gift that keeps on giving because you’ve helped someone grow on their musical journey.
Give The Gift of Music
The holiday season is a time for giving back to others and sometimes you find yourself searching till the last minute. The musicians in your life aren’t as hard to shop for as you think; with these last minute gift tips you are sure to find something they will love.
The Den Collective would love to share The Gift of Music this holiday season. Many students don’t have the opportunities that others may have. Donations can provide those students with coaching sessions, the ability to attend workshop series, and life changing experiences they will carry with them forever.
If you’re interested in gifting financial donations or instruments in select cities, please contact us for more information at team@producedbybear.com
The Den has also launched The Shop, a place to purchase Den merchandise & gifts for that special musician in your life.
You never know the impact you could have on a musician’s life, so giving the gift of music this holiday season! Myself and The Den Collective are here to support and help in any way we can!
Sources:
https://nypost.com/article/best-gifts-for-music-lovers/
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/reading-stress-relief
https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-music-streaming-service-subscription
https://www.apple.com/apple-music/?afid=p239%7C196318&cid=aos-us-aff-ir
https://www.youtube.com/musicpremium
https://www.theedadvocate.org/9-benefits-music-lessons/
https://reverb.com/news/last-minute-holiday-gifts-musicians-will-actually-like
https://www.bandvista.com/blog/5-essential-tools-every-musician-should-have/
https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Street-Wise-Professor-Learn-Schools/dp/098286390X
https://www.amazon.com/Savvy-Musician-Building-Earning-Difference/dp/0982307500
https://www.amazon.com/Hearing-Time-Psychological-Aspects-Musical/dp/0195160819
https://www.amazon.com/Pink-Noises-Women-Electronic-Music/dp/0822346737
https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/055380684X
https://www.amazon.com/Choke-Secrets-Brain-Reveal-Getting/dp/1416596186
https://www.amazon.com/Musicophilia-Tales-Music-Revised-Expanded/dp/1400033535
https://www.amazon.com/World-Beyond-Your-Head-Distraction/dp/0374535914
https://www.amazon.com/Do-Scared-Finding-Overcome-Adversity-ebook/dp/B07DT3PQNG
https://www.amazon.com/Subtle-Art-Not-Giving-Counterintuitive/dp/0062457713