This could be a first guitar for kids and a travel guitar for players of all ages. It includes eight dot position inlays, 1/4 pin pickup, and a silkscreen logo. No assembly is required. Launch date: August 2009.

This petite piano is designed with many textures and moving parts to foster tactile sensitivity. Baby gets a lesson in cause and effect by pushing on the white keys and hearing one of three classical music selections from Beethoven and Mozart. The blue and purple keys light up as the music plays. The textured handle is shaped like a baby grand. Two large, colorful beads slide around on the handle for added play value. Like a player piano, this one has a moving cylinder on the top. Baby can spin it and watch beads rattle and pop inside, or hold the rattle by the handle and shake it to make a baby’s own music. "It fosters tactile sensitivity through multiple textures and moving parts," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

Designed for use with traditional drum sets or with drum console gaming systems, Rock Stix LED drumsticks pulse with every beat. The user taps the Rock Stix to activate the ultra-bright LED, which illuminates the entire stick. Batteries are included and replaceable. The Stix are constructed with Lexan professional-grade plastic for superior durability and optical clarity. There are no switches, wires or controls, and the product is available with red, blue or rainbow LEDs. The packaging features a "try me" option so customers can see the functionality of the product and the LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

The Riff-Rocker is a portable, personal USB guitar game that can be plugged in and played anytime, anywhere. The pocket-sized guitar functions like the widely popular, interactive guitar game but costs a fraction of the price. The Riff-Rocker is portable and designed to be easy to use. It requires a one-time, free software download. The software comes with an assortment of preprogrammed songs and allows players to import their own purchased music from the Web or their MP3player. The Riff-Rocker’s frets are used to play notes that appear on the computer screen. Players earn points by hitting the notes, and additional points are awarded when the fret keys are held down for long notes. It includes easy, medium and hard levels of play, as well as a multiplayer option. "The Riff-Rocker was designed as an inexpensive gaming alternative to all the accessories, games and consoles required to play other musical video games," Karlie,in marketing at Buztronics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Designed for use with traditional drum sets or with drum console gaming systems, Rock Stix LED drumsticks pulse with every beat. The user taps the Rock Stix to activate the ultra-bright LED, which illuminates the entire stick to create incredible lighting effects in low-light conditions. Batteries are included and replaceable. Rock Stix are constructed with Lexan professional-grade plastic for superior durability and optical clarity. There are no switches, wires or controls to get in the way. They are available with red, blue or rainbow LEDs. The packaging features a "try me" option so customers can see the functionality of the product and LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

The Bounce Back Ball is a game in itself. The user secures the nylon band around his wrist with the elastic strap, then tosses or throws the ball to activate the ultra-bright LEDs. He must prepare to catch the ball as it returns to his hand. The Bounce Back Ball is available in blue with impact-activated blue LEDs. “Try me” packaging feature allows customers to see the ball’s LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.

Featuring a performance by Tony-nominated actress Sharon McKnight, this accompaniment CD allows children to sing along with the music of the Disney Broadway musical. In addition to well-known songs from the animated movie, new songs were added by composer Alan Menken. Two versions of each song are provided; the student can learn the song by singing along with guide-vocals, then practice on their own by singing with the accompaniment tracks. It was named a Top Ten Cast Album of 2008 by TalkinBroadway.com. "All songs are fully-orchestrated and recorded in the original show key — ideal for Broadway fans. [It] works well as a learning tool when paired with the sheet music," Malinda, marketing director at Stage Stars Records, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

These floating drums introduce kids to rhythm while they bathe, and can be pitch-adjusted according to the amount of water in the drums themselves. They come with a waterproof rhythm chart.
— “We sell tons of Alex's bathtub musical instruments. A dozen or so [per month],” Mary Porter, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in spring 2009.
— In March 2009, eight of 64 retailers named instruments by Alex-Panline as their best-selling bath toys.
— Alex products are always top sellers for Melody’s Choices, Owner Steve Melody told TDmonthly in spring 2009. “Stock it well and it will sell well,” he said.

Designed for use at sporting events, this noise-making plastic item is 1-meter long and sounds like an elephant. Orders over 5000 pieces can be customized with team logos. Launch date: 2009.
— As of 7.26.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on Amazon.com and was listed No. 12 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Captures the spirit of the World Cup. Easy to use and features different play modes. CONS: Some might consider the sound annoying.

Built-in easy-to-grip handle makes this 6" in diameter, natural-finish wood tambourine easy to play.

Drumsticks are not just for dummers. Drumsticks may also be used these days with music-based games. Sold in pairs; available in natural and black. Wholesale package contains 12 pairs - 6 Black & 6 Natural.

3" tin music box in assorted prints & songs, and beautiful tones. 13"x10" display box.

Offering everything one needs to know to start playing, this kit teaches how to play the chromatic and diatonic harmonica through an easy to understand and enjoyable step-by-step system. It includes licks in the style of favorite performers, plus numerous listening suggestions and musical examples. The CD-ROM is for Windows and Macintosh. "Part of Alfred's legendary 'Teach Yourself to Play' series, this kit comes with a real harmonica, book and enhanced CD," Marina Terteryan, marketing coordinator for Alfred Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 1996.

Written for easy recorder, this book and recorder pack gives one everything needed to start playing. The book features big, easy-to-read notes, a beginner's guide to playing the recorder, and a clear, simple introduction to reading music. Seven of the most well-known "Star Wars" themes and melodies are included. Launch date: May 2008.

The award-winning Woodstock Music Collection offers a wonderful assortment of nearly 100 different musical gifts from around the world that make playing music as accessible as a box of crayons. These little maracas come in assorted colors and are just 4.75" long.
— These maracas were shaking right out the door at Kazoo & Company in Denver at the beginning of 2009, according to Owner Diana Nelson.

This unique set showcases appealing instruments from different countries around the world. Set includes Agogo Bells, 20" Chilean Rainstick, Pair Ankle Bells, Den Den, Pair Maracas, Guiro, and Rap Stik.. How-To Instructional Guide included.

From Indonesia, these small Djembes are perfect for smaller hands while still producing quality sound. Synthetic head.

Nylon strings, spruce top, mahogany back and sides. Chrome plated machine heads, pearl dot side position markers, Rosewood finger board, Nickel-silver frets, single black binding. Guitar length is 34".

37 piano keys beginning with F below Middle C and extends up 3 octaves to F. Bright resonant tone with feather-light piano key touch. Complete with carrying case and weighs only 2.9 lbs.

The Canto® Dark Brown One Piece Soprano Recorder from Rhythm Band is an entry-level instrument economically priced to accommodate tight budgets. This Baroque fingering soprano recorder has a dark brown body with an ivory-colored mouthpiece and a curved windway. A bag and fingering chart are included.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this snail is outfitted with a shell that spins as it rolls. It comes with a five-piece stacker shell and one with colorful beads that move all around.
— “They're very easy to communicate with [and] their billing is straightforward,” Pat Cooley of Cooleykatz Toys in Livermore, Calif., said of this preferred vendor. Seventeen percent of 52 retailers named International Playthings as a favorite supplier in fall 2008.
— Two of 64 retailers named this product as a best-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009.
— “It grows with the child and lasts,” pointed out Theresa Oppenheimer, owner of Toy World in Wayzata, Minn. Janet Hoo of Hoomade Toys in Phoenix, Ariz., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 her store sells about 40 of this item each month.

Add to a child's instrument collection variety with these colored, striped maracas.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, one of these colorful maracas plays a tune when moved or shaken; the other makes a rattling sound.

Woodstock Chimes re-introduces the Remo Kids Drums to its award-winning Woodstock Music Collection® The Kids Bongo Drums feature two drum heads, which produce two pitches, and come with a shoulder strap, allowing children to play this Konga either standing or sitting. By drumming with different parts of the hand, children will find themselves surrounded by a variety of tones produced by the Konga Drum.   All of the Kids Remo Drums feature a fabric covering of vibrant colors and lively rainforest design. Remo is the most famous drum maker in the world.  These truly are the best drums available for young players. They range in size from 6.5" to 15" tall and are priced between $55 and $68, depending on the model.

Kids can celebrate the magic of music with this handcrafted guitar that can be used for guitar classes, private lessons and study, or for play in a child's first “amateur band.”  A quality instrument is always beneficial when beginning the study of music, especially when the student is young. "This guitar is easy to play, tunable, and will help to keep a child pursuing one of the most rewarding pastimes in history: making music," Manager Kristy Schaffer of Schoenhut told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.