SWFL gift guide: What musical gifts sound good around the holidays?

Imagine how many musical careers began when children unwrapped guitars, keyboards, trumpets or other instruments around the holidays.

Music for years has proved plenty of joy to the world so let's continue this tradition in 2018.

Here's a few ways to spread the sounds of the holidays to friends and family:

Learn to play guitar

There's never been a better time to learn how to play an instrument, especially guitar. YouTube offers lessons and music methods for free but, for a more personalized approach, buy someone some music lessons.

Earlier this year, I interviewed guitar instructor Nick Rogers about what it takes to learn to play. He shed light on the process and offered two basic suggestions: patience and practice. 

Imagine giving the gift of learning to play guitar or piano or another instrument. Check these Southwest Florida music schools for more information:

Conner Music School in East Naples offers guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, voice, violin and percussion lessons.

The Groove Culture Music School in North Naples offers the same, along with lessons for saxophone and clarinet.

Naples Piano Studio offers piano lessons throughout Southwest Florida. 

For younger musicians, check out Kindermusik with Ms. Susie. 

Others include: Naples Park Music, Monarch Music of Naples and Naples Voice Lessons. 

Rock out at a show

So many concerts, so little time. 

The new year kicks off with a bang when Cher performs at Hertz Arena on Jan. 17. Tickets that remain are going for more than $300, but this is supposedly her final tour titled "Here We Go Again.
 

More:Cher to kick off 2019 tour at Germain Arena in Estero

For country fans, they may want to head to Fort Myers where Clay Walker performs Jan. 18 at The Ranch, 2158 Colonial Blvd. All but one VIP table is sold out but general admission tickets for just under $40 remain.

Hard rock fans will enjoy a grunge trifecta at Dixie Roadhouse Saloon, 1023 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral,in Cape Coral on Feb. 9.

That is when Puddle of Mudd, Saliva and Flaw Live perform a concert starting at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $25, excluding fees. 

The Kansas City, Missouri-based Puddle of Mudd has had hits including "Blurry" released in fall 2001.

Give a book 

The Who coffee table book ($54.95) out this fall is a fun look at the career of the legendary British (and my favorite of all time) band. 

Continuing the rock theme, "Sticky Fingers: The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine" is now out in paperback. It's the story of Wenner, founder and editor and chief of the magazine. 

Rolling Stone the periodical rose to prominence the same time rock 'n' roll did, and Wenner rubbed elbows with music legends throughout.

For other non-rock options, check out "A Life In Letters," the writings of 18th century Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

As one Amazon reviewer writes: "What better way to learn about Mozart than from his letters? The letters themselves allow us an unadulterated view into the lives of one of the greatest composers. This book is well worth the price and your attention."