Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with gift and music

Help me make a music mix

bluelight — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:15:09 -0800

Help me create a mixed music folder for my friend who recently broke up with her boyfriend. She really likes Belle & Sebastian and... ...I like B&S too but I don't listen to music a lot. I'm not music-fluent at all so I'll just list the kinds of music she likes (also, I'm aiming for happy, upbeat yay-ish music):

- She really liked the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack
- She likes Ratatat
- Also, John Frusciante but I think he's a little...depressing for the music folder
- Indie folk stuff

Her birthday is also coming up. I wanted to make this to cheer her up so I was going to download a bunch of albums or songs from these different artists and slap them onto a jumpdrive. Then I was going to put the jumpdrive in a cute little box and give it to her. Is there any other way you would do it?

Thanks!!

WaxCylinderFilter - Long Distance Gift Advice for an Audiophile

DuckGirl — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 16:37:36 -0800

Need help figuring out if it's worthwhile or not to purchase an antiquey, expensive-ish gift without the benefit of in-person research. I am considering purchasing a wax cylinder player for my boyfriend as a Christmas gift. We saw the player while on vacation this summer in an antique shop across the country (in my hometown), and he was very taken with it. I believe if shipping hadn't seemed like such an issue, he might have purchased it right then and there.

I have contacted the shop, and they still have the player. However, I really have no way of knowing the value of the thing. It is a 1903 Edison, and the shop owner says it still plays. My boyfriend is an acoustical consultant and a teacher of music engineering, so he'll know the difference if it turns out to be shitty, but I think the fact that he was so taken with it initially is worthwhile.

Does anyone out there know anything about this era of wax cylinder players and/or have any suggestions as to how I can learn a little more about it before purchasing?

How to say thank you to a musician

frosty_hut — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:07:33 -0800

What thank you gift to present to an unwilling interviewee? I'm trying to arrange an interview with a pretty famous artist in the classical music world. The guy is averse to interviews, I've been told, and if he agrees to meet with me, I'd like to give him something as a thank you. I'll give him an audio file of our interview as a matter of course, but I wanted to present him with some sort of thank you gift in addition to that.

Thing is, I don't know anything about this guy personally. I thought of bringing him a big bouquet of flowers, but that's more the kind of thing people do after a performance. I have no idea what he can or can't eat, can or can't drink, etc. Any ideas would be appreciated.

BTW: He's a pianist and the most famous member of a chamber ensemble that he founded decades ago, but he hasn't performed with them since the late seventies. The occasion is their reunion concert, and he may never perform with these guys again, so it's a pretty historic occasion.)

Gift for a young violin player?

nitsuj — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:33:18 -0800

Help me get a good gift for a young violin player. My 10-year-old nephew recently began playing the violin, and I'd like to get him a Christmas gift (under $50) that he would both enjoy immensely, and act as a reassurance that his crazy uncle, me, thinks he is very cool for playing the violin -- because he is!

In need of suggestions for a mix cd!

shelea — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:47:21 -0800

Hey guys, I need help making a mix cd. My really close guy friend (we dated previously for a year or so but now are close friends) is going away to school this fall. He is pretty picky about music, so I've always been too intimidated to make him a cd. I thought this would be a nice surprise and that maybe I could introduce him to some cool new music. I'm all for the lyrics and the meaning of the song. We had a rough summer, so I want to convey the message of I love you/ miss you/ I'm sorry for the terrible summer etc but more in a friend way etc. He likes music with actual instruments and classic/ funk beat sounds. If you know songs that incorporate that, that would be great. But ultimately I'm looking for good lyrics, because thats how i like to communicate. Thank you so much for you're help. I really need it!

The Theremin Dilema!

Glitter Ninja — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 13:11:01 -0800

Help me find somewhere online to purchase a theremin, preferrably cheaply. I'd just be a beginner, so great magical quality isn't an issue. Also, I have no problem with age as long as they function. There's aslo I've spontaneously decided I want to play the theremin, just because it's an awesome instrument. However, online, I'm having trouble finding one for less than $300- and my price limit is around $150, because I don't want to ask my parents for anything larger than that. I found one assemble-your-own kit for around 100, but I don't know solder wire from french hooks. Please help me find a theremin that I can order off the interwebz that meets my specification. Also reccomend some books to read up on, if you know of any. Thanks for your help!

What goes beep and entertains a geeky boy?

ITheCosmos — Sun, 06 Nov 2005 09:53:56 -0800

Fun sound toys. My boyfriend has a menagerie of old synthesizers, electric chord organs, assorted keyboards, and even a home-made theremin. Can anyone think of a fun little electronic-music-toy I could get him? This can be a kid's toy, or anything else that makes interesting noises.
Thanks, I know this is fairly vague.

Good upcoming folk music shows in the NYC area?

Dr. Wu — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 12:34:20 -0800

My mother's husband is a big folk music fan, and his birthday is coming up. I'd like to get them 2 tickets to a good folk music show that takes place somewhere in the NYC area before the end of 2005. I've searched sites like pollstar.com, but the amount of information is just too large; conversely, searching the sites of individual venues takes forever, and I don't have a comprehensive venue list, anyway. Any online resources or reliable venues you can recommend?

Muchas gracias!

songs about dogs?

pmbuko — Thu, 14 Jul 2005 10:01:42 -0800

Help me fill a CD with songs about dogs! My sister in law just got a puppy and I want to create a mix CD for her full of songs about dogs. Any style is welcome, and songs don't necessarily have to be happy, but I'd like to keep the country songs to a minimum. Here's what I've got to far:

Dixie the Tiny Dog -- Peter Himmelman, The Musings of Someone
Old King -- Neil Young, Harvest Moon
Queenie's Song -- Guy Clark, The Dark
Lilly -- Pink Martini, Hang on Little Tomato

MP3 player specifically for the car?

anastasiav — Thu, 16 Dec 2004 07:12:16 -0800

XmasGiftFilter: I would like to get my sweetie an MP3 player for the upcoming holiday ... but what he really needs is a player that is built exclusively for use in his car. I've tried stuff like cnet reviews with little success -- any suggestions?

Need Italian music for mix CD

evilbeck — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 19:42:48 -0800

My roommate is going to Italy for six months, and refuses to let me buy her a going away present. So, instead of purchasing something, I'd like to maybe make her a few compilation cds of Italian music. Recommendations please! She's 20 and happily listens to just about anything you play for her. Some modern music mixed with some slightly older stuff (1960s) would be great. Happy music that will make her feel like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, discovering Italy and eating lots of gelato and shit.

Recommend a lap steel, or pedal steel guitar

stefnet — Mon, 08 Nov 2004 17:08:38 -0800

KrimmixPresentFilter: My husband (who does not visit Metafilter) is a musician and I'd like to get him either a lap steel or pedal steel guitar for Christmas. Since it would be rather obvious if I just randomly asked him what brands are good, etc., I thought that maybe some of the MeFiMusicians could help. If you were going to be given a lap or pedal steel, which one would you want?