Looking for something special for a music lover? Here’s a little list (with local twists!) for the musical mate in your life.
Gift Cards
There’s nothing a musician needs more than a few bucks to a music store to keep up their collection. Local options: Guitar Outlet, Gorham Brothers.
Music Lessons
If you know someone who is beginning on an instrument (or wants to), this could be just the push they need to get started. Plus, if you only buy a few (three maximum), they don’t have to feel bad if it they don’t choose to continue. Local options: The SubCat lesson program or email me at [email protected] for teacher recommendations on all instruments.
Magazine Subscriptions
The gift that keeps on giving! There are so many great music magazines out there targeted to all types of players. Local options: Making Musicmagazine, based in Syracuse.
Tickets
Make a night out of it with dinner and a show and support local business twice as hard! Local options: hit dinner and a show in the same venue with the new Funk n’ Waffles downtown.
CDs, vinyl and books
You can’t go wrong with some musical love. Plus, you can support a few artists by buying a sampler of local tunes. (And if you really want to be impressive, bring the discs to local shows and get them signed by the band.) Local options: Sound Garden’s great selection of local artists is a must; also check Books and Melodies.
Studio Time
Michael Davis Photo | Syracuse New Times
Nothing helps get the ball rolling on a project like some guaranteed time. There are a plethora of stellar Syracuse studios to choose from, including StudioDog, Moletrax, SubCat and MoreSound.
Make Music Together
Skaneateles Fest Brook Farm Rehearsal.
Find a way to share those sounds and get creative with them. Songs are for singing, so sing along. Local options: Find a favorite local band to dig with your music lover. Hearing and being friends with other musicmakers might motivate you, too.