Learning to play a musical instrument is exciting and full of thrills. However, it is also a path filled with doubts and second-guessing. One of the foremost confusions any aspiring musician faces is dealing with choosing a specific musical instrument. There are just so many choices out there. One way to go about this would be to choose the most popular option, and even then, you will have to make a choice between the piano and the guitar. Do you find yourself at such a crossroads?
Let us find out the answer to the question “Pianos vs. Guitar: Which Instrument Is Better For You?”
Why Could The Piano Be The Better Instrument to Learn
The piano has been the default choice for many aspiring musicians for a few centuries now. It is an instrument that has stood the test of time and has managed to stay relevant across multiple music genres. Here are all the reasons that make it the better instrument.
It Is Classier
If the piano had to be described in one word, then ‘classy’ would be one of the adjectives that would be chosen by a lot of people. There is something about the aesthetics of a piano that just sets it apart to the point where even non-musicians would love to have a piano in their homes as it just classes up the surroundings. It also looks great on a stage. Often, the pianist is the center of attraction when there are multiple instruments. Typical piano music is also classier, which is why it is the de facto choice for austere occasions.
Lessons are Cheaper, And Teachers Are Fairly Accessible
Since the piano has been popular for a much longer period of time, finding genuine lessons and teachers is a lot easier. There are hundreds if not thousands of books and other forms of literature that will help gain a pretty good level of proficiency on the piano. Teachers are also fairly easy to find around the world. Online options are also available. Most digital pianos aimed at beginners will also come with some form of an onboard learning tool. While their efficacy is arguable, they can still help you get a start.
It Is Easy To Visualize Music On The Piano
While the iconic arrangement of black and white keys on a piano has a nice symmetry to it which makes it visually pleasing, it is a great boon for musicians during the first few weeks of learning how to play. Music has a technical aspect, and a lot of the early days are utilized in learning different chords and scales. Understanding the theory during these initial stages is key to becoming a great musician in the long run.
The symmetrical arrangement of the keys helps immensely in visualizing the music theory, which makes it easier to grasp why and when certain notes are played. This makes the learning curve a lot less steep, and that can make all the difference to your motivation levels during those challenging early days.
Not Very Physically Demanding
A huge obstacle for many musicians who are starting out is getting used to the physical challenges of playing an instrument. For anyone trying to learn a wind instrument, it could be developing the proper lung capacity and cardio-vascular strength. For string instruments, it could be developing the necessary finger strength and calluses. While these physical discomforts are often treated as some form of a rite of passage, they can be daunting for many people. Thankfully, the piano is quite gentle on this front. You will still experience some discomfort, but as long as you keep practicing, they will become a non-issue a lot sooner than it is for other instruments.
You Don’t Need Any Additional Gear
The piano is a highly self-sustained instrument, and once you get it, you won’t need to get any additional stuff to be able to play it.
Why Could The Guitar Be The Better Instrument to Learn
If we go by recent trends, then the guitar has been adopted more ardently. Among modern instruments, it is arguably the most popular instrument right now, and there are a few good reasons for that, as elaborated below.
Guitars Are Cooler
There is no denying the fact that the guitar just looks and sounds so much cooler. Many iconic images of the last few decades feature a guitar. It symbolizes a level of freedom and raw expressiveness that is alien to most musical instruments. The fact that some of the biggest music icons of the last few decades have been guitarists also helps with getting inspiration to stay motivated.
Guitars Are Lighter And More Compact
This is a huge advantage that guitars hold over pianos. They are so much more compact and take up a lot less space. This makes it easy to carry it around. You can take a guitar even on your trips, allowing you to learn the guitar at your own pace and in various spaces.
Guitars Are Cheaper to Buy
The biggest difference between guitars and pianos, especially for those who are just starting out, is the price. There is almost a night and day difference between the two. You can get a very playable and decent guitar for a tenth of what a regular piano would cost. Pianos are cheaper on the used market, and some people even offer them for free. However, they can still end up costing a lot in transportation and repairs.
Guitars are also easier and cheaper to maintain, and even beginners can do basic maintenance all by themselves. Pianos, on the other hand, may not require maintenance as often, but when they do, you will need the help of a professional.
Guitars Offer Endless Tone Options
Guitars, especially electric ones, can be paired with various effects pedals and amplifiers. This combo can create a wide plethora of tones, making it an incredibly versatile instrument. That is why the guitar has proliferated many more genres of music than the piano.
Why The Piano Might Not Be The Better Instrument
Here are a few cons of choosing a piano
- Not as versatile
- Bulkier
- More expensive
Why The Guitar Might Not Be The Better Instrument
Similarly, the guitar has a few flaws as well
- Physically more demanding as fingers need to develop calluses which can be painful
- Too many options in terms of types of guitars which can be distracting and a bit overwhelming
- Misleading lessons and teachers
- Too much additional gear in the form of pedals and amps
Guitar vs Piano: Which Instrument Is Better For You?
As you can see, both pianos and guitars have their pros and cons. It totally boils down to what your expectations and preferences are. Your endurance also matters, and knowing what the challenges are is important in this regard. Before buying either instrument, sit through a couple of introductory lessons, many of which are available for free online, to get a better understanding of what it will be like to learn either instrument. At the end of the day, both are just tools, and it is you as the musician who will be the most important factor. So, make the choice based on which instrument feels closer to home for you.
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