Somehow my sister collected enough gift certificates when I was a kid to get a nice viola.  (note to non-music nerds, not a misspelling, its kind of a big violin)<p>The music instrument market is weirder now and uses cost as a race and class filter to keep the wrong people out.  Collecting $25K for a conservatory class instrument in gift certificates in 2016 is a bit unreasonable, but &quot;in the old days&quot; they gave out scholarships based on ability and didn&#x27;t use the art as a filter on finances, race, and class like they filter for today.  Even today you could collect enough gift certs to get an instrument for the joy of music and learning, just not to get a scholarship.