Violin Gift Ideas
Do you know about any hot new products: sheet music, cds, accessories, that would be good gift ideas for a violinist? Looking to expand my xmas list.
Replies (30)
You'll never know how much benefits a portable recorder for a violinist. Get a Zoom H2 or if you willing to spend more, once and for all, get the H4 or even H4r, excellent quality recording device.
A pencil always comes in handy, too!
Nail clippers, CD of favorite player! (Don't give a mute, it could be an insult... ; )
Anne-Marie
A digital picture frame displaying one of your favorite voioinists, or perhaps yourself, playing a nice violin composition.
Leather mutes are very stylish and a nice change from the standard issue. In addition, they don't require lowering sound to pp.
The books by Flesch (Art of Violin Playing) are fantastic, I've read mine so many times the edges are frayed and the cover is coming off and I only got it the first volume a few years ago. Fischer's basics is also a great book.
The book by Auer is very interesting to read (lots of history and of course, ideas about how to practice etc.) It's really amazing how much violin playing changed just in his lifetime (and it's less expensive than the other books).
See my blog of October 28, 2009, complete with picture. One of the commentors said that it should be required reading for anyone who wants to buy a gift for a violin teacher.
I saw the neatest violin lamp....
---Ann Marie
The current issue of "the Strad" magazine would always be a good gift. You could probably still find a copy of their recent special edition "Violin Heroes", as well, which I have really enjoyed. I have learned a whole lot about the great violin players and about the times in which they lived and played.
Tuner
Metronome
Violin Calendar
Framed print/painting
Magazine Subscription
Lifetime supply of Advil (my personal favorite ;-)))
(Advil indeed:)!) How about instrument polish, nice practice journal, music stand, music history or biography books - for little kids, composer/music colouring books, fun violin jewelry, posters. I really like the concert ticket or teaching/clinic tuition idea and magazine subscription too! A friend of mine is a piper, and he played at our wedding - as a gift (because he flatly refused any payment) I bought him a magazine subscription from the National Piping Centre in Scotland. I think he really liked it and his piping friends often try to scoop his copies:).
Ann Marie, how about a genius in the lamp... Many violinists would run 100 km for this ; )
Anne-Marie
Let's think big here....
A violin a symphony was written for!
The violin of your greatest idol... if you can afford it!
Anne-Marie
Personally I wouldn't dare
Get new strings or
- new mute that makes the fiddle sound better than other mutes
- see a good concert with a great violin soloist
- a good chin rest if you don't like the current one
- get a sound adjustment on your fiddle
- get a book about famous violinists or master violin makers or bow makers
I would love an I-Tunes giftcard!
Strad Posters are a fun studio addition. US supplier here: http://www.theviolincase.com/strad.shtml
Circle of Fifths watch just for fun: http://www.theviolincase.com/circle-of-fifths-watch.shtml
My mother actually found me a really cute violin related present that she found back in the US before coming to Australia to visit me for the holidays. :)
A violin sculpture/ornament thing! How awesome is that!
For beginning violinists of all ages, the gift of a beautiful bow hold from Things 4 Strings!
Here's another idea. How about inventing some new thing for violinists to use, and naming it in their honor?
Caswell's now has a website! And the fact the company is dedicated mainly to violins means there are great violin products there :P
It's only new though so you'd have to keep and eye on the site because new stuff is being added all the time. :)
They have violin socks, sticky notes, pencils, violin sharpeners, lots of art (including a freestanding scroll), case stickers, note pads, bags, shopping lists things (or should I say, Chopin Liszt) conductors batons, lots of music card and board games, umbrellas, cufflinks, etc etc.
Arabella Steinbacher's new PentaTone recording of the two Bartok concertos should be on everyone's wish list or list of things to give. See the review in Gramphone
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/bart%C3%B3k-violin-concertos-%E2%80%93-no-1-sz36-no-2-sz112
The print version is even more complimentary with "Unforgettable Bartok from Arabella Steinbacher" and Beauty in the Details".
Steinbacher's performance transforms this music I had already begun to recognize as "substantial", "worthwhile" and "satisfying" into music that is rediscovered and now cherished, treasured, loved.
See also the review at http://www.sa-cd.net/showtitle/6656
The perfect, ultimate gift....will be available in a couple of days: Sony classical is issuing the complete recordings of Jascha Heifetz (104 cds) including 3 hours of never before released material!!!! For all those who missed the Heifetz collection on RCA some 15 years ago, and have been disappointed by the poor quality of the Naxos remasterings.....
A fine chianti, perhaps an old vine zinfandel.
@Emily,
Well, since you are headed that direction, how about a nice wine chest!
Please include a nice Oregon Pinot Noir, a Carménère, a couple bottles of good French Bordeaux, maybe some late harvest Gewurtz or Muscat.
The other bottles can be any good apellation.
How about an $18 million dollar del Gesu? I'd be okay with that.
Hilary Hahn recommended the C-Clip as an inexpensive but very useful item:
http://www.stringsmagazine.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=26575&page=2
It is a guard for the edge of the violin, protecting against nicks.
Many years ago my present wife, then girlfriend gave me a hand-made bag ("pyjamas") for my violin.
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November 24, 2009 at 05:48 AM ·