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Gear guide for practice at home
A short list of practical items for piano, guitar, violin and drum practice. It is written for parents, teachers and adult learners, not for children. You don't need any of it to use Music-Ready, which stays free.
Checked on Amazon.sa and Amazon.com on 30 October 2026. Stock and prices change, and Amazon shows whether it delivers to your country before you buy. Ask your teacher before buying sizes or strings.
Practice basics for every instrument
Four things that make daily practice at home easier, whatever the instrument.
Snark SN5X Clip-On Chromatic Tuner
A clip-on chromatic tuner that clips onto the headstock or scroll. The listing names guitar, bass and violin. Free on Music-Ready: Music-Ready's free violin tuner.
Korg MA-2 Digital Metronome
A stand-alone digital metronome, so practice does not need a phone in the room. The listing says it is made for orchestral instruments. Starting slow with a metronome is one of the habits in our guide. Free on Music-Ready: Practising with a metronome.
CAHAYA Sheet Music Stand (converts to a desktop stand)
Keeps music at eye level instead of flat on a table, and adjusts in height. The listing says it converts to a desktop book stand.
See it on Amazon.com: CAHAYA Sheet Music Stand (converts to a desktop stand) (opens in a new tab)Hal Leonard Standard Wirebound Manuscript Paper (96 pages)
Blank staves for writing out exercises, scales and lesson notes. Wirebound, so it lies flat on a stand. Free on Music-Ready: Music-Ready's free printables.
See it on Amazon.com: Hal Leonard Standard Wirebound Manuscript Paper (96 pages) (opens in a new tab)
Piano and keyboard
For families and adult learners practising on a digital piano or keyboard.
M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal
A universal sustain pedal for keyboards that came with a small square footswitch or none. Check your keyboard has a sustain pedal socket first.
See it on Amazon.com: M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal (opens in a new tab)Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Studio Headphones
Lets someone practise on a digital piano without filling the house with sound. Check the plug size on your piano before buying.
See it on Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Studio Headphones (opens in a new tab)Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones
Another pair from the same Audio-Technica studio monitor range, for adults who also listen back to recordings. Check the plug size on your piano before buying.
See it on Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Studio Headphones (opens in a new tab)RockJam RJKBB100 Adjustable Padded Piano Bench
Height matters for posture: an adjustable bench lets each player sit with forearms roughly level with the keys.
See it on Amazon.com: RockJam RJKBB100 Adjustable Padded Piano Bench (opens in a new tab)
Guitar
Steel-string acoustic and nylon-string classical guitars need different strings. Ask the teacher which one you have if you are not sure.
Kyser Quick-Change Capo (6-string acoustic, KG6BA)
Moves the key of a song up without new chord shapes, useful for singing along. The listing says it is for 6-string acoustic guitars. Not for classical guitars. Free on Music-Ready: Music-Ready's guitar theory page.
D'Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings, 12-53 (3 sets)
Light-gauge strings for steel-string acoustic guitars. Not for classical guitars.
See it on Amazon.com: D'Addario EJ16-3D Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings, 12-53 (3 sets) (opens in a new tab)D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Strings, Normal Tension
Nylon strings for classical guitars. Never fit steel strings to a classical guitar.
See it on Amazon.com: D'Addario Pro-Arte Nylon Classical Strings, Normal Tension (opens in a new tab)Tetra-Teknica GFR-01 Adjustable Guitar Footstool
Raises the left foot (for right-handed players) for the classical sitting position. The listing says it has six height positions.
Violin
Violins come in sizes. The items marked 4/4 are for full-size violins only: ask the teacher before buying for a smaller instrument.
D'Addario Natural Rosin, Light (violin, viola and cello)
The bow needs rosin to grip the strings. A small amount before practice is usually enough; ask the teacher how often. Free on Music-Ready: Music-Ready's violin theory page.
See it on Amazon.com: D'Addario Natural Rosin, Light (violin, viola and cello) (opens in a new tab)Kun Original Shoulder Rest, 4/4
Helps hold a full-size violin comfortably between the chin and shoulder. For 4/4 violins only.
eBoot Rubber Practice Mute, 4/4
Makes a full-size violin much quieter for practice at home or in a flat. For 4/4 violins.
Drums
Most rudiment practice happens on a pad, not a full kit.
Evans RealFeel Practice Pad
A quiet gum rubber surface for rudiments and stick control, used on a table or knees. Free on Music-Ready: Music-Ready's free rudiment trainer.
See it on Amazon.com: Evans RealFeel Practice Pad (opens in a new tab)Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drumsticks
5A is a common all-round stick size; ask the teacher if they prefer another.
See it on Amazon.com: Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drumsticks (opens in a new tab)EASTROCK Padded Drum Throne
A padded drum seat with anti-slip feet, according to the listing. Sitting at the right height helps with balance at the kit.
See it on Amazon.com: EASTROCK Padded Drum Throne (opens in a new tab)