The Ultimate Musical Gift Guide
The holiday season is upon us! That means the search for the ultimate gift is here. If you’re like us, you want to find something that is the perfect mix of useful but also fun; you want to surprise them with the one item that is right up their alley but maybe also just a bit outside of the box; you want to find the gift that they didn’t even know they wanted.
Here’s the good news: we’re here to help. Being a professional musician means having the right gear. There are some great musical accessories that can elevate any student to the next level, not to mention that having great gear makes practice a lot more fun!
Take a look at our ideas below, and let’s step into 2026 with style. Don’t forget: All Rock 101 families receive 10% off at Music Go Round. If you’re looking at pedals, we also have coupon codes for Earthquaker Devices and Walrus Audio. Just reach out to us, and we’ll send you the codes.
Guitar / Bass
Guitar Bag: Nothing says unprofessional more than walking around with a guitar without a case! From pockets to carrying options, there are lots of options that will allow you to find a case that meets your needs and your budget.
Recommendation: Ibanez IAB541 Powerpad Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
Tuner: If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s this: there are never enough tuners when you need one. Stashing extra tuners in equipment bag pockets, practice spaces, and glove compartments could very easily be the thing that saves the day.
Recommendation: Snark ST-8 Super Tight Chromatic Tuner
Strings: One broken string can end a show. You know what changes this moment of horror into respect? When the musician is prepared and can change the string on the spot. Having extra sets of strings will ensure the music keeps flowing. Different types of strings can also help you to achieve a variety of sounds.
Electric Strings Recommendation: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Nickel 10–46
Acoustic Strings Recommendation: D’Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Light 12–53
Guitar Strap: The guitar strap is the equivalent of wearing stylish shoes with your outfit. Personalize your style by wearing a strap that matches the vibe.
Recommendation: Guitar Straps!
Drums
Drum Throne: Experienced drummers will all tell you the same thing: a proper drum throne is essential! Investing in a high quality drum throne provides comfort, posture, and support. These, in turn, improve technique and endurance. A must have!
Recommendation: DW 5100 / 5000-series Standard Height Drum Throne
Drum Key: Did you know you can tune a drumhead? It’s actually pretty important! Drum keys adjust tension rods in the drums and therefore alter the pitch of the drums. Drum keys are not only important equipment for your drummer, but they are also small and affordable, making them the perfect stocking stuffer.
Recommendation: Gibraltar Standard Drum Key
Sticks: From lightweight to heavy and brushes to mallets, drumsticks are the ultimate accessory for your drummer. Having a variety of styles allows drummers to create different types of effects. Also, you never know when a stick will break so back-ups are always a good idea!
Recommendation: Vic Firth American Classic 5A Hickory, wood tip
Bass Drum Pedal: Just as drumsticks can alter the quality of sound created, the same is true of bass drum pedals. You can customize the bass drum sound by choosing styles that favor lighter or heavier playing. This is a piece of equipment that will finetune your drummer’s style, bringing that missing element to their playing.
Recommendation: Yamaha FP-7210A Single-Chain Bass Drum Pedal
Keys
Midi Keyboard: Midi keyboards open the door for outside-of-the-box thinking. They are used to create the sounds of virtual instruments and effects. They add interesting elements to any musical piece. If your student is interested in music production, this is a must have!
Recommendation: Novation Launchkey Mini 25 MK4 25-key Keyboard Controller
Pedals: Keyboard pedals are a great way to play with the texture of sound. Sustain and damper pedals mimic those found on traditional pianos, while expression pedals allow changes in volume and dynamics that create swells, fade-ins, and fade-outs. What a fun way for students to experiment with their established skills!
Sustain Pedal Recommendation: Proline Universal Piano-Style Sustain Pedal (with polarity switch)
Expression Pedal Recommendation: M-Audio EX-P Expression Pedal
Melodica: If you’re looking for a fun addition for your keyboard student, look no further than the melodica. These are small, lightweight instruments that cover two to three octaves of a keyboard. The melodica is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece located on the side of the instrument. How could you not want to try this?!
Recommendation: Vangoa 32-Key Melodica (student/beginner level)
From professional and stylish to outside-of-the-box and a little wacky, adding to your student’s musical arsenal is never a wrong decision. Remember that creativity and playful exploration is the foundation of all musical endeavors. When all else fails, a Rock 101 beanie fits well in the base of any stocking.
Come find us with any specific questions you have.
Happy holidays to all!
- Danielle Parker