I really want to learn one of these, but I can't decide which. I already know how to read music and play the violin. I don't have much money, so I'd have to get a very basic guitar or keyboard just to learn and then invest in a better one if i enjoy it. I got a guitar for christmas two years ago, but just when I was learning scales, my dad broke it and it never got fixed. Which is easier to maintain and learn?
Any recommendations of beginner guitars or keyboards would be great!
Should I learn guitar or piano?
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Gill the Piano
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Re: Should I learn guitar or piano?
Well, this is a Piano forum, so you won't get info on either really here! There is a thread for digital pianos which are apparently different to keyboards (I don't do stuff with electric in!) and they can help you on the selection of a good keyboard, I expect.
Personally I would choose to learn the piano as you then learn to read both treble and bass clefs which will be useful for any other instrument you may learn. It also gives you a good visual understanding of harmony - it's so easy to understand how chords and scales are constructed, just by looking at the keys.
If you decide to get a guitar, there are probably good guitar forums out there where you can get advice.
Good luck!
Personally I would choose to learn the piano as you then learn to read both treble and bass clefs which will be useful for any other instrument you may learn. It also gives you a good visual understanding of harmony - it's so easy to understand how chords and scales are constructed, just by looking at the keys.
If you decide to get a guitar, there are probably good guitar forums out there where you can get advice.
Good luck!
I play for my own amazement... 
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Colin Nicholson
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Re: Should I learn guitar or piano?
Learn both! .... I did piano & flute... and a bit of guitar.
However, prefer piano - as you cant stand a pint on a flute (or guitar!)
Bottom line is.... how much space do you have, and how much are you willing to pay?
However, prefer piano - as you cant stand a pint on a flute (or guitar!)
Bottom line is.... how much space do you have, and how much are you willing to pay?
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Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
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Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
Re: Should I learn guitar or piano?
Gets my voteGill the Piano wrote:Well, this is a Piano forum
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Requiescat
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Re: Should I learn guitar or piano?
Guitar:
You have to control strings, which is very time consuming to master. With piano one finger makes one note, no strings attacked so to speak. If you want to learn theory you will have to memorize lot of charts the full length of the fretboard. The pattern only repeats at the 12th fret, so that's a hefty amount of learning for a single set of scales for Major alone! Learning harmony is not so well suited to guitar like it is to piano and you will struggle to have questions answered on guitar forums. The guitar community is heavily centered around learning patterns and modes and therefore devoid of a real culture for music education. Combine this with learning to develop your technique to any meaningful level and you will understand that you have a steep mountain to climb. That said, piano is not easy, I myself am a novice but careful observations of these things are still apparent nonetheless. I do not mean to deter you in choosing guitar; merely I want to help you make a more informed choice.
You have to control strings, which is very time consuming to master. With piano one finger makes one note, no strings attacked so to speak. If you want to learn theory you will have to memorize lot of charts the full length of the fretboard. The pattern only repeats at the 12th fret, so that's a hefty amount of learning for a single set of scales for Major alone! Learning harmony is not so well suited to guitar like it is to piano and you will struggle to have questions answered on guitar forums. The guitar community is heavily centered around learning patterns and modes and therefore devoid of a real culture for music education. Combine this with learning to develop your technique to any meaningful level and you will understand that you have a steep mountain to climb. That said, piano is not easy, I myself am a novice but careful observations of these things are still apparent nonetheless. I do not mean to deter you in choosing guitar; merely I want to help you make a more informed choice.