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Looking for the perfect gift for a young music lover? Here’s a list of holiday gifts for piano players that are sure to bring more music into the year ahead. Take a look at our collection of the best digital pianos, sheet music, essential music gear, and some fun extras.
Pianos
Is it time for your family to add an acoustic piano to your home? Take a look at our “How to Shop for a Piano” guide to help you get started.
Or if a digital piano is what you’re looking for, here are some of Mr. Hoffman’s favorites:
The Yamaha Arius series cost about $3000-$4000. These are nice digital pianos that mimic the look and feel of a real acoustic piano:
Casio Privias are also a great choice for digital pianos and cost about $750-$1000:
For a basic, good-quality electronic keyboard, the Yamaha P71 is an excellent choice. It has a full-sized keyboard and weighted keys, two features that are very important for a beginning pianist. This keyboard runs about $500 on its own. We recommend purchasing a keyboard stand and a bench to go with it, as setting it on a table and using a regular chair would put it at the wrong height for playing comfortably.
Hoffman Academy Premium
Give the gift of music learning! Enhance a child’s, grandchild’s, niece or nephew’s piano learning experience with a Hoffman Academy Premium membership. While all of our video lessons are available for free, a Premium membership offers practice plans, sheet music, audio tracks, printable materials, progress tracking and more! Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime membership plans are available, with discounts for additional family members within each household. Spoil a loved one with effective online piano lessons they will love at a fraction of the cost of in-person lessons. Choose the plan that’s best for your budget. We guarantee a full refund within the first 30 days, no questions asked.
Piano Music Books by Level
Ready for some new tunes? These piano books are a great way to encourage independent music exploration.
Early Elementary (Hoffman Academy Units 1-4)
PreTime Piano – Classics – Primer Level – Beginning Reading
This collection of classic themes includes “Ode to Joy” and Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” which is as fun to say as it is to play.
Duet Time Piano – Christmas – Primer Level – One piano, 4 hands
Great for families with multiple learners. Each player gets to play part of the melody, so everyone has fun!
Elementary (Hoffman Academy Units 5-8)
Mr. Hoffman’s Popular Hits for Piano
Learn 17 favorite popular tunes with Mr. Hoffman! There are short video lessons online to get you started on each song, plus a demo track and a backing track for you to play along with.
Meanwhile, Back in the Jungle
For the adventurer in your household, this book is full of pentascale-based pieces about jungle animals.
Meanwhile, Back In The Enchanted Forest
Inspired by fairytales, songs like “Timothy Troll Frightens the Fireflies” and “Unicorns Play in a Sunny Glen” will delight young learners.
Meanwhile Back At the Castle
Knights and jesters and dragons, oh my! Princes and princesses alike will enjoy these imaginative pieces and illustrations.
PlayTime Piano Classics: Level 1
Get into the classics with these famous themes, including Brahms’ “Lullaby,” Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz,” and Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals.”
Early Intermediate (Hoffman Academy Units 9-14)
Everybody’s Perfect Masterpieces, Vol. 2
This collection of Classical piano music includes Academy favorites like Rebikov’s “The Bear,” J. C. Bach’s “Andante,” and Streabbog’s “A Pleasant Morning.”
Picture This! Book 1
Beautiful melodies inspired by lovely photographs that will get students moving all over the piano and even using the damper pedal. “Shimmering Waters” is a favorite at the Portland Academy!
ShowTime Piano Classics: Level 2A
Did you know that “Frere Jacques” was part of a symphony by Mahler? Now you do – and you can play it on the piano, along with other Classical favorites like Vivaldi’s “Spring” and Pachelbel’s “Canon.”
Keith Snell – Baroque & Classical – Level 1
You’ll love this collection of other Classical piano pieces, many of which are old dances like the Minuet and the Quadrille.
ChordTime Piano Christmas, Level 2B
Get into the holiday spirit and review your I, IV, and V7 chords with favorites like “Holly Jolly Christmas.” Want a fun challenge? Try playing the entire “12 Days of Christmas!”
Intermediate (Hoffman Academy Units 15+)
Just for Fun, Book 1
A collection of 17 piano solos in a wide variety of styles and moods, specially written to inspire, motivate, and entertain. Early pieces like “Scotch Dance” are good for Level 2, while later songs like “Spooks from Mars” will keep Level 3 students on their toes!
American Popular Piano – Repertoire: Level Three – Repertoire
Christopher Norton is one of the most prolific composers of student pieces out there, and this book proves it! Solos range from the dreamy “Drifting Away” to the jazzy “Spider Blues,” while duets like “Celtic Caper” and “The Jamaican Market” take students on a musical journey around the world.
Kids Rule!
Got a fan of “Star Wars” or “Harry Potter?” How about classics like the “Superman” theme or songs from “The Wizard of Oz?” Then this series is for you! This 3-book collection of popular and cinematic songs, all arranged by master arranger Dan Coates, are a perfect blend of familiar pieces and reading practice.
FunTime Piano Christmas: Level 3A-3B
This is one of the Academy’s favorite Christmas collections! Songs include “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Let It Snow,” and an excellent arrangement of “Carol of the Bells.”
Essential Music Gear and Some Fun Extras
Metronome
Keep a steady beat with this handy metronome. The dial makes it easy to set any tempo.
Foot Rest
Good piano posture begins with a solid place to put your feet. Make sure your younger piano student has the right foundation with this adjustable footrest.
Piano Lamp
Make reading music easy on the eyes day or night with this bright, energy-saving LED lamp.
Piano Pencils
These fun music-themed pencils let young musicians express themselves.
Staff Paper Books
Blank staff paper books give your budding composer a place to keep all of their musical ideas together.
Child-sized Headphones
These headphones are great for when you want to listen without disturbing others. Use them when watching Hoffman Academy lessons, practicing on an electronic keyboard, or enjoying your favorite tunes.
Fun Music Stickers
Use these musical stickers to decorate, personalize, and also to keep track of daily practice or pieces learned.
Accordion Folder
This is a great way to organize your sheet music, games, and other printables.
Sheet Music Holder
View up to four pages of music at once with this handy music holder. Great for using with a piano or keyboard music stand. The stiff backing makes it easy to write on the pages no matter where you set it.
Music Dictionary
This pocket-sized dictionary of musical terms makes a great stocking stuffer.
Bonus gift idea: FREE Music Notation Software
Check out these powerful tools that let you compose, arrange, and print beautiful, professional-looking sheet music! Download or use them online for free. Most have a paid version with more features, but each of these options will give your young composer everything they need to get started.