Rachel Taylor Geier

Greetings and welcome to a brand-new Flute Friday. Each year around this time I publish a list of great flute-based gift ideas for those of you shopping for the flutist in your life (or for you to hand to various family members searching for fun gifts). This year’s list will also include a few fun items to hand out to your students. If you have other recommendations for flute gifts, please comment below!

Happy shopping!

Dr. G’s Annual Flute Gift Guide

Flute Hats. These are all the rage with my students! You can purchase some great basic flute hats at the Carolyn Nussbaum Music Company (I particularly like this super cute Santa hat), but my favorite place to pick up unique styles that will make your students LOL is FluteHats by Dallas Teague. I love the wide range of super cute designs and the reasonable price tag. Pick up a different animal for each of your students.

Flute Barrel Bling. Anyone who has been following my blog knows that I am a huge fan of these contraptions. Not only do they add a lovely amount of sparkle to your instrument, but they also help with sound projection. Pick up a red one for the holiday season (a great addition for any impending Nutcracker performances) or a silver or gold one to shine brighter than the fireworks on New Year’s Eve. My favorite new design is the rainbow bling – super unique and colorful! The price tag is also quite reasonable. Copper barrel protectors keep your flute safe from scratches. Check them out here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/flutefinery/?etsrc=sdt&fbclid=IwAR100IjeheCZ84b9MciLGRQUA3vmrXzXOmjnc-8rpfGEgKCTC8VsmpcMRiA

SempreFlute Velvet Flute Mats. SempreFlute has just come out with some beautiful new velvet flute mats in the shades sapphire, ruby, and emerald (perfect for the holidays!). Now I know what you are thinking – A mat? Why do I need a mat? I thought this too until I won one at a flute festival. I now use my flute mat every time I practice. It is a great way to protect your flute while you are teaching or taking a much-needed break during focused practice sessions. Also, it is just good knowing that you are placing your beloved instrument on a clean surface (we can all thank the pandemic for making us more germophobic than we were pre-2020). The velvet offers a soft landing place for your instrument and the thicker materials help prevent slides. And, of course, the gorgeous colors add major style to your studio space. Pick up yours here: https://store.sempreflute.com/collections/flute-mats

Hercules Flute Stands. Calling all flute choir enthusiasts! These Hercules flute stands are a great addition to your gear, especially for those rehearsals where you may be packed into a smaller space. They are sturdy, collapsible, and look super professional. They are great alternatives to your fancier wood-based peg models. Check them out here (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3R3b66R

Practice Note. Yeah, okay, I know I have previously discussed this puppy on a product review post, but I really cannot stop singing its praises. Having a great, easy to use, beautiful practice journal is a perfect way to start off 2024 on the right foot. Track your progress, goals, and challenges in this portable planner-type journal. Upgrade your pages with a few stickers if you are feeling creative! This is great gift for students prepping for recitals or college auditions or even for professionals with several irons on the fire at once. Check it out here: https://www.flute4u.com/practice-note

Peak Collapsible Music Stand. I get a lot of compliments when I show up to gigs with this music stand. It is light, folds up into a easy to carry bag, and keeps your performances professional with it’s sleek style. This is a much easier alternative to the standard clunky black metal stands. They also stand the test of time – I have had mine since 2007! Check them out here: https://www.flute4u.com/Music-Stands/peak-sms-30-music-stand

Flute-staches. This is strickly a gag gift, brought to my attention by an old high school band friend. These plastic mustaches clip right on to your instrument and make it look like you are playing with a mustache (how fancy.. lol). This is a funny gift for a student and may even inspire a mustache-themed studio masterclass in the coming months. Your students will think these are hilarious! Check them out here (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3uAMzyq

Wiseman Flute and Piccolo Combo Cases. This is a more bougie gift but totally worth the price tag. Wiseman cases are well-built, compact, easy carry, and are super stylish. The strap has a sneaky secret compartment to store cleaning clothes and your flute bling. I love mine and know you will love yours! Check them out here: https://www.flute4u.com/Cases-Covers-and-Bags/Wiseman-Flute-and-Piccolo-Combo-Case.html

And finally, a bit of self-promotion:

A Tarot Reading from Dr. G! If you have loved your flute horoscopes in The Flute View over the years and are curious what 2024 might have in store for you and your flute playing, book a tarot reading with me, Dr. G.! I offer 15 and 30 minute sessions conducted over Zoom as well as 20-minute pre-recorded readings (these are popular with us busy bees). Book yours today by visiting https://drgtarot.com/tarot-readings/.

Do you have a favorite flute gift this year? Do you use any of the above items in your own studio? What gifts are you hoping to receive this year? Please comment below.

Happy Fluting and Happy Holidays!