Guitar Or Piano First?

[dannyrichardson]

I know this topic is brought up a lot, but I'm curious since my son is getting the age where he wants to start playing. Guitar or piano first for my son?

Any feedback is much appreciated, thanks!

[tjcurtin1]

How old is your son? Is his musicality average, or is he showing signs of being a natural musician - a Wiz? I think that for those children who manifest an innate serious musical talent, the piano is probably a more advantageous instrument to start with. Otherwise, if he is still pretty young (under 10-11) another great instrument to start with is the ukelele. Much easier to grasp, physically and musically, and to get right into making music with, and the chord shapes will all transfer to the guitar later. Also, it happens to be pretty 'cool' right now, with lots of younger musicians making use of them in pop songs (along with older musicians in other venues!), so it should be an easy sell.

[marnold***]

I would also ask if your son has any particular musical interests. I started on piano in early grade school and hated it. The main reason being is that the only "songs" I learned were awful fake songs in the instruction books. My kids' teachers got them into simplified hymns as early as they could. If I had had that, I know I would have stuck with it. As it was, I rather would have been outside with my friends than inside playing inane songs on the piano.

[gitapik]

I started with the clarinet at a very early age and then the piano at ten. I learned classical theory on the piano which ended up being a mixed blessing when I studied jazz theory on the guitar.

It would drive my teacher crazy that I’d think keyboard first at the expense of the guitar fingerboard. Sort of a filter that made it more difficult to automatically play what I was thinking/feeling at the moment and when composing.

Can’t say my folks did it “wrong” but in terms of the OP’s question; I’d say to go with whichever instrument the person most naturally gravitates towards. Piano is a more versatile and complete composing tool but the guitar ain’t no slouch and it’s far more portable.

[Robert****]

I would say, go with the instrument that your son is most interested in.

[Jipes***]

Well I guess there's no general statement Guitar is always nice as you can bring one everywhere but musically speaking piano is most likely a solid base

[Styers]

I really need new rangefinders for hunting and would say, go with the instrument that your son is most interested in.

I would say this is the only right answer. What did your son choose in the end?