It's Holiday time
The holiday season makes a great time to get some extra music.  There is lots more out there, but click here for some ideas I put together!

A New Instrument
Nothing says "I believe in you" like a new instrument.  Give me a call or send me an email and I'll be glad to help out with details - probably more than you want.....  Also, check out the "Buying an instrument" link on the left.  This can lead you to some nicely done instrument buying guides put together buy a company called "Woodwind and Brasswind".  Be sure to check out their thoughts on different instruments.

Recordings
There are lots of recordings of professional bands/orchestras and soloists available.  Check out Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble for lots of great resources.

Manhasset Music Stand
A high Quality stand is a nice investment for your child's home practice area.  No more dealing with those flimsy wire stands that don't stay up.  (about $28). Woodwind and Brasswind can help out here.

Metronome - try Woodwind and Brasswind for these items - search for "metronomes"
Try the Qwiktime QT3.  About $20 - click here for details
Also around $20 is the Matrix MR-500.  details here
The Doctor Beat DB-60.  More expensive, around $70, but this is a great metronome.  Click for details
The Doctor Beat DB-90.  This is an expanded version of the DB-60.  It allows for different time signatures, and lets the user program their own beat patterns, tempos and complex rhythmic patterns. Details here.

Tuner - try Woodwind and Brasswind for these items - search for "tuners"
The Korg CA-30 is a nice little tuner for the money (around $20) - details here
The Qwiktune QT2 is another good tuner around $20 - details here

Combination Tuner and Metronome - try Woodwind and Brasswind for these items
This is the way to go for most musicians!
Sabine MT9000 - this one can't be beat!  For around $30 you get a compact tuner with a tone generator, metronome, external input and an earphone output.  This one does it all, quite well.  Details here

Music Software
Encourage music composition and theory learning
Music Ace 1 & 2 - A great program focusing on the fundamentals of music.  Covers notation, ear training, and other musical skills.  See it here.
Practica Musica - This is both music theory and composition software.  Check it out here.
Music notation software - I recommend McCormick's.  They have software from multiple publishers, from the nearly free Notepad to the professional Finale.  Click on Music Technology when you get there.  Another great notation/composition program is Sibelius
Garage Band - This is a terrific sequencing program (think writing your own music).  Unfortunately still only available for Mac.  Here is a review - Great stuff!
Audacity is a sound editing program.  Add special effects to recordings, cut and paste parts of them etc.  Check it out here.  It's free.

Extra Music
Who doesn't like to get some extra music?  It's like getting a new book to read.  One online source is J.W. Pepper.  You can find nearly anything you want at their website.  Or try calling their Carol Stream store at 1-630-462-0787.  There are many books available for nearly every instrument.  Holiday music is plentiful - you might try looking some of it up on the web and then calling the store to talk to them about the level you child is playing at, you might get some great recommendations.  For some specific Holiday music, see my recommendations on this page above.  Be sure to get the CD if it comes with one - it is fun to play along with and can help students learn the music more quickly.  Some favorites are "Movie Favorites" and "Disney Themes".  Also look up the title of nearly any movie and you'll be able to find the music from it.