If a newbie were to ask which instrument to learn first-- guitar or piano-- which one would you recommend?

In other words, if the goal is not to learn to play one or the other, but to play BOTH,

which is best to start with?

Alasseon said:

Probably the piano, but realistically I'd go with whichever one you want to learn the most.

And you can learn them both at the same time, no problem (as long as you have enough time to practice).

Piano is probably best for reading notes, understanding harmony etc. Few guitarists are great sightreaders.
However, think about your ambitions. If you're a singer/songwriter, go for both. Even if your intstrumental skills remain pretty basic, it will be great to be able to accompany yourself and write on two instruments.
On the other hand, if you want to be an instrumentalist, start with the instrument you really really want and concentrate on that. Herbie Hancock doesn't play guitar and Jimi Hendrix didn't play the piano, if you catch my drift. Then in a later phase, study any instruments you fancy to expand your ideas on your main instrument.
[Edited 1/3/07 1:08am]

piano.

intersting thoughts. i started off piano, and a year and a half later i have switched to guitar. I never really thought of myself as playing guitar, and never really thought I would enjoy it, BUT I LOVE IT. The keyboards are now collecting dust cause I just can't seem to put the guitar down and step away. It is all about how the instrument makes you feel, no one can answer that for you.

piano 4 me

piano 4 me. guitar is a special feel instrument if u know what I mean. it has gotta feel right in your hands.

Both. Each will only help your overall understanding of music. And when you're sick of one, go to the other and continue your education. And they complement each other perfectly. That's why so many musicians play both.

Piano probably provides a better foundation for music as a whole, however, while guitar is easier to pick up just a little bit & sound decent.

NDRU said:

I've actually heard the opposite from a few pianists I've had the pleasure of playing with. In my opinion, I think it's better to get a firm handle on one instrument and overall music theory before starting on another. What's the saying - "jack of all trades, master of none?"

Of course, as mentioned earlier, it depends on whether one wants to become specialized on one instrument or just know basic things about a few.

I started on guitar at age 12. It made no sense whatsoever.

Started piano at age 14 and was fairly good at it--became the jazz ensemble pianist, got awards, stuff like that.

Picked up guitar (and bass) again at age 20. And it somehow made all the sense in the world.

JesseDezz said:

That makes plenty of sense. Not everyone can be Prince.

I don't think there's any best way. Whatever works best for the individual. I come from a place of not desiring to be a virtuoso, but just wanting to be able to vary things for myself.

But actually I did specialize on guitar, and I wish I'd played more piano, too.

none try saxophone .Saxophone teaches you the basics of music and if you are looking to join aband saxophone is a good insturment to know how too play.But i also play guitar and i would have too say what ever fits your perssonality best.

NDRU said:

I've actually always found the piano #1 for instant gratification. It requires so little technique just to play some notes. The guitar, on the other hand, makes your fingers bleed.

all i can say is that, i figured when i was young that there were a zillion brilliant guitarists and that i wanted to be a composer. In those days, synths were just starting to dominate and using one instrument to create a symphony made the best sense to me. Also, piano has all the important parts of music, bass, rhythm,melody,harmony. no other instrument can really claim that, it is truly the king of instruments. It's also the hardest to truly master.

mozfonky said:

heartbeatocean said:

That's what I heard--I had a few violinists discourage me a few years ago when I was contemplating guitar. Said it messed up the violin fingers. So--I've been trying to polish my piano skills.

NuPwr319 said:

hi!

Have you seen my snobby thread yet?

http://www.prince.org/msg/8/214077

heartbeatocean said:

not sure what the smiley means but piano is the hardest to master because of all the musical ingredients it puts together. I'm not saying it because i'm a great pianist because i'm not. I'm saying it because it's probably true. They all take lots of time though. i'm not talking about just beating out some tunes either, i'm talking mastery, that takes a lifetime.

heartbeatocean said:

Happy New Year!

I am familiar with the "prepared piano" pieces although I've never actually sought them out.

at "snobby thread".

mozfonky said:

Well, I play both violin and piano and I find the violin much much more difficult to master. I mean, it takes years just to begin to hold the bow in the right position, move it across a string without hitting the others aligned with the bridge just so, not to mention having to play every note by ear as opposed to hitting a note that is pre-ordained in tune...not to mention that you have to hold the instrument up against your neck for hours at a time...not to mention very difficult and precise finger technique such as vibrato and shifting...for me there's no comparison whatsoever. But that's just me

I wouldn't doubt all of that, takes years to "master" all of them though. None of them are easy, you know that. Concert pianist would probably have to log in more time than a violinist in the same league, I don't know, either way mastery is a lot of time as we both agree on. I don't even have time to practice properly, i'm just a rocker.

mozfonky said:

no way, honey

heartbeatocean said:

Well, a concert pianist would probably disagree. Ask one of those, like i say i'm just a rocker a humble rocker.

mozfonky said:

I've spent years in the classical world around professional classical musicians and child prodigies. This is a pointless debate...

heartbeatocean said:

That's good for you, you are the type that ran me off of the classical world. Go debate this with a concert pianist and he will have the same attitude you do no doubt and you can go from there, so yeah it is pointless.

mozfonky said:

heartbeatocean said:

the mystery is solved

SoulAlive said:

heartbeatocean said:

Guitar is pretty difficult at the very beginning, but once your hands adjust a little, you make great strides pretty quickly.

I think nothing offers greater inspiration than a role model, preferably one that masters one or the other (piano or guitar). Of course, in the case of Prince, it's impossible since he plays both equally well. Piano role models are alot harder to come by in pop culture, but sometimes guitar can seem cliche or more like a prop. So trust your instincts, and follow the path of what turns you on the most!