Musical instrument gifts

[Nerdle]

DS (8) has asked for musical instruments for Christmas. He plays piano, drums and guitar and we have these at home (as well as an electric one). He also has a xylophone and small synth. Any suggestions? I can't afford more music lessons so no point getting something he would need to properly 'learn' with lessons. He suggested cymbals (no!) and please not a recorder either. But anything else I could consider?

Ukulele or bass guitar?

Accordion
J-horn
Mbira/thumb piano

Harmonica.

But the recorder can be lovely, especially as he's clearly 'musical'.

What drum kit does he have? If he's suggesting cymbals, sounds like he wants to extend his drum set up?

My nephew is very musical and has quite a few instruments. I found a mandolin in a charity shop, which I gave him for his birthday last year and that was very well-received. He's been teaching himself the 'plucky' bits of REM's "Losing My Religion" on it. My DB and DSIL also bought him a ukulele, which went down well.

Another little present that he really liked was a tub of guitar picks - each one was of a different classic rock album cover.

Best wishes to you.

Percussion gift set?

https://www.gear4music.com/Drums-and-Percussion/15pc-Orchestral-Classroom-Percussion-Set-by-Gear4music/20EB

A otamatone is incredibly annoying but brilliant fun. It's close to a theremin https://www.thomann.de/gb/otamatone_classic_white.htm?glp=1&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTfV1qgHSzgNcCC0BFeiprhZB6x3Hd5eLZFGhM_YfmUDwL2Viu_XuF0aAo90EALw_wcB

ukulele can easily be learned without lessons , makala and kala are good quality, inexpensive instruments.

a chain is an excellent starter percussion instrument. https://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_junior_4_cajon.htm?glp=1&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAmNeqBhD4ARIsADsYfTeOrTaf_piZ2gdtaNfcj2eTjaEODY_5tX340GAPM2ZVDTiRoDmL30oaAuXvEALw_wcB

Sorry autocorrect cahon not chain!

The steele tongue drum sounds amazing and kids and adults love them.

They are round and each section is pitched differently and sound similar to a glock with a more mellow sound. They have those round hammers.....have a look on you tube.

I want one of these but can’t justify it!

https://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/37-Key-Melodica-by-Gear4music/DT8

This is super helpful thank you. I will look into all those. As a non musical person his ability astounds me. Ukulele such a fab idea

What about pedals / synthesisers for the electric guitar rather than entire instruments? Change the sound for his interests?

Build on what he loves - tickets to a show / opera / orchestra / gig you can do together.

My nephew has an online guitar programme for a tablet so he plays along to extra songs outside lessons etc.

Is there a Rock School near you he could go to in the holidays? Any participation days with professional musical or theatre groups for kids?

I think he meant cymbals to bash together @TheSpottedZebra.

He actually got a steel tongue drum last year @Irridescantshimmmer and loves it. I forgot he has that

A melodica might be a bit too much of a blow for an 8 year old .

Depends on the 8 year old - I discovered the instrument as a couple of 8/9 year olds were messing around with one and it looked fun, but they do play in a brass band so are quite possibly outliers!

Keyboard

Can he read music?

I bought my DD a kalimba one year! She didn't use it much but your DS might. Wasn't that expensive either. And a set of mini pan pipes.

+1 to ukulele, mandolin. And a cahon if he enjoys percussion (much quieter than cymbals!!). A bodhran (Irish drum) if he wants a real challenge!

Maybe a bass guitar if he prefers electric and rock stuff. Ibanez do a short scale one that’s not too expensive and v good for the money.

Bongos. My brother got me some one year and they are fantastic at any age.

Maybe ask your ndn what they prefer hearing...

yes he can read music @SerpentEndBench

Not an instrument so slightly out there but if he has a computer then some composing software or additional synth/mixer equipment.

Alternatively, are there any local groups he could go and jam with?

Good on you encouraging him - I played from 4 and still keep it up as a hobby at 36. It's great for him and he'll meet so many friends through this skill.

Composing software perhaps. Maestro or Sibelius.

A theremin!