This guide is intended to help people who are looking for a practical gift for a violinist. I’m a fan of giving thoughtful gifts that are specific and personalized to the receiver. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to figure out what kind of gift someone else would find useful.
One topic I am familiar with, though, is the kind of products that violinists use on a regular basis. So, this gift guide will to help people who want to give a violinist a gift that they will actually use!
I will add that a lot of violinists have very personal and specific preferences when it comes to brand names of products, especially strings and rosin. So, I suggest asking your violinist about what they already like or would be interested in trying.
*This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product using that link, I may receive a small commission fee.*
1. Capsule Music Stand
Freelancing musicians are sometimes required to bring their own music stand to gigs, and it’s important to have a stand that is sturdy enough to withstand windy outdoor gigs, heavy music folders or iPads. Yet, your travelling music stand should be sleek enough to be easily packed and carried.
My preference for a compact, travel-friendly music stand is the Capsule Music Stand, made by the company KraftGeek. The company sent me one to try out, and my first impression was how small and lightweight it is when folded down- it’s only 2.56 lbs, and can be carried easily in one hand. I could see myself throwing it in a bookbag on my way to a gig. Yet, it expands into a full sized music stand, with an adjustable height of 29”-66” and holds up to 4.4 lbs, supporting sheet music, phones, or tablets.
You can also add a stand bag, device holder for tablets or smartphones, and an LED stand light. All of the products fit neatly into the stand bag, which is about the size of a flute case. I took a photo of it next to some tangerines for scale.
I really appreciated the fact that the device holder and LED stand light screw into the stand for extra security. The LED stand light can be powered with a USB C (not included), however, it does not hold a charge. 3 AA batteries are required for it to be used if not plugged in.
I think this music stand would be a great gift for any violinist who gigs a lot. It’s an extremely practical product that will get a lot of use and make life easier for any freelancing musician.
Purchase the Capsule Music Stand from their Online Store. You can use my discount code, kiyoeviolin15 for a 15% discount. The Capsule Music Stand is also available on Amazon.
2. Rosin
It’s so satisfying to start fresh with a shiny new cake of rosin. Rosin is something that string players must use on a regular basis, so it makes a very practical gift for violinists. Note: rosin is one of those products that violinists can be picky about; you may want to inquire if they have any strong feelings about rosin brands!
I polled my colleagues and compiled this list of violinists’ favorite rosin brands.
Top Pick:
Bernardel Rosin has been my go-to rosin for over a decade, ever since my college violin professor described it to me as “very refined”.
Also Great:
Described as great for gut strings, this rosin is on the pricier side, but would be a great gift for a violinist looking to try something different.
Also Great:
If you’re looking for a more luxury option, Leatherwood is a pricier, but effective rosin.
Also Great:
Pirastro Rosin
Pirastro makes different types of rosin that are meant to be paired with the corresponding string lines, for example, Pirastro Gold rosin is meant to be used with Pirastro Gold Strings, etc.
Also commonly recommended:
3. Strings
Violin strings need to be replaced a couple times a year, but it’s pricey to buy a new set. Therefore, it would make a very useful, and thoughtful, gift for a violinist. According to a survey of my colleagues, here are some of the most loved violin string brands.
Luxury Pick:
This would be a luxury option to give as a gift. A bit pricier than most strings, this brand is a good choice for those who love a loud and powerful sound. Perhaps best suited to soloists.
Also Great:
Dominants are a good, dependable, and affordable option that many violinists will use consistently. Personally, these are the strings that I have used on my violin the most often for the past decade. I prefer the set with the Gold Label E string, which I’ve linked above.
Also Great:
Some violinists recommend Evah Pirazzi for those who prefer a brighter sound.
Also Great:
4. Fabric Violin Bag
If you live in climates where the weather fluctuates, a silk or fabric violin bag helps sensitive violins stay in tune and prevent weather-related damage such as cracks and split seams. A violin bag with a beautiful pattern can make opening your case a joyful experience and also impress your colleagues! Here are two beautiful options that I found.
Kokon Tsubomi Silk Blend Violin Sleeve
Etsy Silk Touch Violin Case Bag Cover
5. Mute
A mute is a necessity for most violinists and violists, and it can be really useful to have a selection of mutes, including a concert mute and a practice mute for situations when you might need to practice quietly. I’ve also included some fun novelty mutes that I found, so that you can personalize your mute selection to your violinist’s personality.
Luxury Pick:
I saw a colleague using this mute at a gig and I was blown away by its dainty profile and effective sound dampening. When not in use, it simply clips on to any string behind the bridge.
Fashion pick:
A mute decorated with Swarovski crystals would be appealing to violinists with fancy taste!
Novelty pick:
This mouse-shaped mute is so cute, and would be a fun novelty mute for violinists who teach small children.
Also great:
The standard mute is small and rubber. There are many different shapes. I’ve found that it’s useful to have at least a couple in my case; they are easy to lose, and someone always seems to need to borrow one at gigs.
Also great:
For violinists who need to be able to practice at odd hours or while traveling, a brass practice mute will allow them to do so quietly without disturbing neighbors.
I’m sure there are many other practical gifts for violinists, but these are my top 5 for this year! If you’re a violinist, please let me know what’s on your wishlist so that I can include it in next year’s round up.
Kiyoe Matsuura is a violinist and violist who specializes in baroque performance. She performs primarily in Chicago and the Midwest. She has also taught private lessons to hundreds of students of all ages. Her YouTube channel contains over 250 videos on violin pedagogy. She writes articles on topics including violin pain prevention, posture, pedagogy, and other violin-related things!