• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Emma Blair Piano
  • Posts
  • About
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Posts
  • About
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
×

Home » Gift Guides

7 Gift Ideas for Piano Players, Students, and Teachers

Published: Nov 22, 2022 by Emma · This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn me a commission.

8 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Looking for a Christmas or birthday gift that will delight yourself or someone in your life who loves playing the piano? These are my favorite tech gadgets and software for piano students and teachers. I've used and loved every one of these gifts, so you can, too!

AirTurn Duo pedal, headphones, iPad, and Apple pencil with a piano
Jump to:
  • AirTurn Duo
  • TwelveSouth Compass Pro
  • Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
  • Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch)
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphones
  • ForScore
  • Dorico

AirTurn Duo

person using AirTurn Duo Bluetooth foot pedal

Check out the AirTurn Duo Bluetooth Foot Pedal

This Bluetooth foot pedal connects to any phone, tablet, or computer with Bluetooth connectivity and allows the pianist to turn the pages of their music hands-free. Pressing the right pedal turns the music forward, while pressing the left pedal turns the pages backward.

I've used this sturdy pedal for years, and it has been a complete game changer for me! I use it every time I practice the piano now, and it's especially nice when I'm peforming. The pedal integrates seamlessly with ForScore (my sheet music app), and the battery lasts forever between charges. I couldn't recommend the AirTurn Duo enough!

TwelveSouth Compass Pro

iPad Pro on TwelveSouth Compass Pro stand

Check out the Twelve South Compass Pro

This wonderful iPad stand made by TwelveSouth holds the iPad at a variety of comfortable viewing angles, whether you're playing sheet music from it, watching music videos, or composing. The rubber feet and sturdy legs mean there's no danger of the stand slipping, and it holds the iPad securely with the notches in the base.

Although this stand is fantastic when you're working at a desk or table, I particularly love using it instead of the music desk on my grand piano. This is an ideal setup for recording music, as it eliminates sound reflections from the music desk into the microphones, but it's also great if you play on digital keyboards or MIDI controllers without a good music desk. Plus, it's portable so you can bring it anywhere!

Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

person holding a white Apple Pencil

Check out the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

Want to write quickly and easily on sheet music that's on your iPad? The Apple Pencil writes super smoothly, and makes your handwriting legible even on a screen. You can easily handwrite notes from music lessons and convert handwriting to typed text. One of my favorite features is how the Pencil integrates with the ForScore app for writing and erasing notations on scores.

What's especially great about the 2nd generation Apple Pencil is that it magnetically charges by snapping onto the side of the iPad. However, this updated version of this stylus only works with newer iPads. Check out this article to see if you need to purchase the 1st or 2nd generation of Apple Pencil.

Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch)

sheet music on an iPad

Check out the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch)

Want to ditch stacks of music books and heavy binders forever? The iPad Pro is what you need! The 12.9-inch screen is virtually the same size as a letter-size sheet of paper, which means the sheet music is easy to read in landscape or portrait orientation. With the ForScore app, you can organize hundreds of scores, annotate them, and play them easily on iPad.

I've been using the iPad for my daily practice sessions and performances, and I absolutely love the convenience of it! I don't have to manually flip pages during my piano lessons or peformances with the help of the AirTurn Duo Bluetooth foot pedal, which makes playing music from the iPad even better.

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphones

teenage girl wearing Audio Technica M40x headphones

Check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphones

Whether you're a piano lover who listens to great music, or an audiophile who records and mixes your own tracks, you'll love these comfortable, high-quality headphones from Audio-Technica. These popular headphones are budget friendly, but still have fantastic sound quality. They collapse easily for storage, and the swivel earcups make them extra comfy to wear.

I've used these headphones for listening to music, mastering piano recordings and speech, and editing my YouTube videos. I couldn't be more pleased with them! The sound quality and detail is amazing, and I can comfortably wear these headphones a lot longer than other brands I've tried due to the padded earcups and band.

ForScore

ForScore sheet music app in the App Store on iPad

Check out the ForScore App

ForScore is an app that stores and organizes your PDF sheet music so you can practice and perform from a tablet or laptop. You can scan paper music to create your own digital music right in ForScore. Flipping pages with the AirTurn Duo means you can play hands-free, and using the Apple Pencil means you can write notes on the score just like it was printed on paper.

I simply can't say enough about ForScore! Ever since I downloaded this app a few years ago, I've loved how simple it is to use, and how amazing it is to have all your music stored on the iPad!

Dorico

Dorico music notation software on iPad

Check out Dorico by Steinberg

Want to brighten the day of the budding composer in your life? Dorico, a music notation software from Steinberg, is the best software in the world for notating solo instruments up to symphony orchestras. Many composers prefer it over Sibelius for its ease of use. The software integrates with MIDI controllers to allow composers to play the music right into Dorico.

I've personally used Dorico to create many sheet music graphics and educational aids for my YouTube channel, and I love how the music is clean and easy to read! Dorico automatically inserts the rests, ties, and other elements as I write. This fantastic software will please both young and seasoned composers alike!

Piano Articles You'll Enjoy

  • How to Play the Piano with 2 Hands
  • Should You Practice Contrary Motion Scales?
  • 5 Techniques Beginner Piano Players Don't Practice
  • How to Play Octaves on the Piano

Follow Emma Blair Piano on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, please leave a comment below. You'll make my day!

More Gift Guides

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Craig Nathan

    December 11, 2022 at 10:38 pm

    Fully agree with your bundle here Emma. Huge thanks.

    Reply
    • Emma

      December 12, 2022 at 11:24 am

      You're welcome, Craig! I'm glad you liked all these gift ideas.

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

girl smiling with piano in background

Hi! I'm Emma Blair, a pianist and music teacher.  It's my goal to inspire you to improve your piano technique and to become the best pianist you can be!

More about me →

logos of websites featuring Emma's blog
Three pianists and composers who have praised Emma's piano playing: David Hicken, Christopher Norton, and Cory Hall

Popular Posts

  • What Is the Circle of Fifths?
  • How to Play the Piano with 2 Hands
  • Should You Practice Contrary Motion Scales?
  • 5 Techniques Beginner Piano Players Don't Practice
  • The Difference Between Major and Minor Scales
  • How to Play Octaves on the Piano
  • 10 Secrets to Correct Piano Hand Posture
  • How Many Keys Are on a Piano?

Footer

↑ back to top

Explore

  • About
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy

Connect with Emma

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest

Learn More

  • Contact Emma
  • Emma's Piano Teaching Channel
  • Emma's Piano Performance Channel

As an Amazon associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

COPYRIGHT © 2023 BY EMMA BLAIR PIANO

8 shares