Piano vs. Guitar: Which Instrument Should Your Child Start With?
Piano and guitar are by far the most requested instruments at Learn Music. Both have stood the test of time and instill fundamental music skills like melody, harmony, and rhythm in learners. So, which instrument is the better choice for a young musician? The short answer: It depends! Many factors influence whether a particular instrument will suit a particular child, including the physical demands of the instrument and the child’s interests and learning style.
Layout
For a brand new musician, the piano wins the layout competition. Notes are organized in a linear fashion, from low to high, making the musical alphabet easy to see and understand. If your student thinks linearly and learns best through visual organization and structure, the piano is likely the way to go.
The guitar’s layout can take some getting used to. Unlike the piano, notes are not laid out in a linear fashion. Each string represents a different note, and pressing the string with the finger shortens its length to create different pitches. If your student isn’t fazed by a challenge and enjoys figuring out patterns and shapes, the guitar might be the perfect choice.
Playability
The piano is relatively simple to play and has a gentle learning curve. Playing the piano requires only minimal finger strength to press the keys - an easy task for most young students. Some students may initially struggle to stretch their fingers across multiple keys, but this skill develops gradually.
The guitar, on the other hand, requires a level of finger strength and dexterity that young hands may find difficult. The fingers of one hand must press the guitar strings firmly against the fretboard, while the other hand strums or fingerpicks. The instrument’s long neck may also present an issue, even on smaller guitars made for children. While the guitar poses a steeper learning curve, its emphasis on playing chords early on is incredibly rewarding.
Pro tip: If your young musician is determined to play a string instrument but is not quite ready for the guitar, the ukulele is a great alternative. It has two less strings to deal with, its neck is shorter, and the strings require less strength to fully depress. For these reasons, we typically recommend that students under 8 start with the ukulele. When it comes time for them to make the switch to guitar, the fundamentals learned on the ukulele are easily transferable and will set them up for success.
Personality and Genre
For students with a natural interest in classical music and music theory, the piano is the clear winner. It is important to remember, however, that the piano is a versatile instrument and can span a wide range of genres. Oftentimes, the piano gets a bad rap as a “boring” instrument by students who are not interested in classical music. Before this becomes the basis for their decision, remind your student that the piano is a staple in pop, rock, and jazz - just think of artists like Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and John Legend.
While the piano can totally rock out, the guitar is the star of the genre. If your student was born with a Green Day album in hand, they may find that the guitar aligns more with their interests and future goals. On the flip side, the guitar can play classical (if you’re not convinced, listen to Bach’s Lute Suite No. 1) and jazz music too! Certain instruments lend themselves better to one genre over another, but it is important not to put them in a box.
No matter which instrument your student decides to pursue, they can build a solid musical foundation with practice and consistent effort. The skills learned on one instrument will transfer to a second or even third instrument later down the road!
Our final pro tip: Don’t limit your student to only piano and guitar! If neither instrument seems to be the right one for your young musician, a world of other instruments is waiting to be explored. Learn Music offers lessons in eleven instruments, and trial lessons are available for each one. We’d love to help your student find the perfect fit - reach out to us via this link!
About Learn Music:
Learn Music was founded in January 2014 with the mission of building a custom curriculum for each student, incorporating the music they love. The school helps students become exceptional musicians through private instruction, performance, and collaboration. It is owned by Cornelius native Adam Wilson and his wife, Rachael.
We would love the opportunity to teach you music! Whether you’re interested in in-person or online lessons, our team is here to help your student grow and thrive. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a lesson, contact us by clicking here.
Sources:
Will Mason. "What Instrument Is Right for You?" Mason Music, https://masonmusic.com/what-instrument-is-right-for-you/.
Gene Kelly. "Piano vs. Guitar: Which Instrument Should My Child Learn First?" Kelly Music Works, https://www.kellymusicworks.com/en/blog/piano-vs.-guitar-which-instrument-should-my-child-learn-first.