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Musical instrument learning curves -- two questions
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:28 am
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:28 am
I'm a musical instrument newbie. I can play nothing.
1. What easier to pick up: guitar or piano?
2. How much easier is it to learn bass guitar than regular guitar?
1. What easier to pick up: guitar or piano?
2. How much easier is it to learn bass guitar than regular guitar?
9
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:33 am to bobbyray21
quote:
1. What easier to pick up: guitar or piano?
Really depends. Piano is much easier to understand from a scale standpoint, but separating rhythm and lead between hands is tricky. I do a decent amount of tapping with my left hand on guitar, but the same hand just refuses to work with me on a piano. All about muscle memory, I think.
quote:
2. How much easier is it to learn bass guitar than regular guitar?
This is a loaded question. Bass "lines" are typically easier to play, but the bass itself is harder to play (heavier strings, bigger neck, fret noise). If you can play guitar, you can often switch to bass fairly easily, but starting out with a bass would be way tougher on your hands.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:33 am to bobbyray21
I think it differs person to person. I'm decent on guitar, but I have a hell of a time playing different parts with each hand on piano. I'll never be able to sing while I play guitar, though, either. Maybe it's just me. 
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:41 am to Jester
quote:
Jester
The times I've ever messed around on a guitar it seemed like my hands weren't meant for it. Are larger hands better, or is it more about finger strength? My hands are relatively small -- would that make it more difficult?
I've always had good rhythm, and so I actually think I could pick up on the drums faster than either guitar or piano. But having a drumset in my apartment is definitely a non-starter.
This post was edited on 5/30/13 at 11:48 am
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:43 am to bobbyray21
I can't contribute to your questions because I only play guitar and have never tried either of the other 2 instruments, sorry.
But you asking about the piano makes me regret not learning when I was younger. The guitar is obviously a baller instrument to know how to play, but so is the piano, just not quite as much. Learning the piano was considered feminine/ghey when I was in junior high/high school, but now that I'm in my early 30s, being able to play the keys is pretty badarse. I just don't have to time or drive to learn the piano these days.
I would definitely say go with guitar or piano because you can play those in a band, at home by yourself, or parties by yourself, and still play recognizable lead melodies for songs. I always felt learning the bass was only worth it if you are actually wanting to be in a band. Good luck in whichever instrument you choose.
But you asking about the piano makes me regret not learning when I was younger. The guitar is obviously a baller instrument to know how to play, but so is the piano, just not quite as much. Learning the piano was considered feminine/ghey when I was in junior high/high school, but now that I'm in my early 30s, being able to play the keys is pretty badarse. I just don't have to time or drive to learn the piano these days.
I would definitely say go with guitar or piano because you can play those in a band, at home by yourself, or parties by yourself, and still play recognizable lead melodies for songs. I always felt learning the bass was only worth it if you are actually wanting to be in a band. Good luck in whichever instrument you choose.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:43 am to bobbyray21
Every person is different. I've been playing guitar since I was 9 so it's hard to remember how difficult it was for me to learn, but I believe it came pretty easy to me. Couldnt tell you how that translates to piano. Word of advice, start with an acoustic guitar if you decide to go the guitar route. It's a much more difficult guitar to learn on but it will pay off in the long run when transitioning to electric guitar. Because of the lighter string gauges, lower action (height of the strings from the fretboard), and generally bigger frets associated with electric guitars, it's much easier to go acoustic to electric than electric to acoustic.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:44 am to dnm3305
quote:
Word of advice, start with an acoustic guitar if you decide to go the guitar route. It's a much more difficult guitar to learn on but it will pay off in the long run when transitioning to electric guitar. Because of the lighter string gauges, lower action (height of the strings from the fretboard), and generally bigger frets associated with electric guitars, it's much easier to go acoustic to electric than electric to acoustic.
Agreed.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 11:53 am to ColoradoAg03
quote:
But you asking about the piano makes me regret not learning when I was younger. The guitar is obviously a baller instrument to know how to play, but so is the piano, just not quite as much. Learning the piano was considered feminine/ghey when I was in junior high/high school, but now that I'm in my early 30s, being able to play the keys is pretty badarse. I just don't have to time or drive to learn the piano these days.
To this day, I give my parents a really really hard time for never making me take piano lessons. I'm the youngest child, and both my older brothers were made to take them. And I guess they must have sucked or something, because my folks never even once mentioned it to me. I might have been good. You never know.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:02 pm to ColoradoAg03
quote:
But you asking about the piano makes me regret not learning when I was younger. The guitar is obviously a baller instrument to know how to play, but so is the piano, just not quite as much. Learning the piano was considered feminine/ghey when I was in junior high/high school, but now that I'm in my early 30s, being able to play the keys is pretty badarse. I just don't have to time or drive to learn the piano these days
Yeah, I think both are baller. Having some basic piano skills is a prerequisite to making EDM. At least that's how I understand it. I could be wrong about that, but it makes sense.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:08 pm to bobbyray21
I play guitar and just started on the keys. Piano is way easier.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:08 pm to bobbyray21
Much easier to learn bass because it only has 4 strings
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:11 pm to bobbyray21
quote:
The times I've ever messed around on a guitar it seemed like my hands weren't meant for it. Are larger hands better, or is it more about finger strength? My hands are relatively small -- would that make it more difficult?
Long fingers are a big plus for guitar, but the main things are how wide your hand can stretch and pure grip strength/dexterity.
This post was edited on 5/30/13 at 12:16 pm
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:13 pm to bobbyray21
quote:
Having some basic piano skills is a prerequisite to making EDM
Absolutely not true. Digital sequencing has taken a lot of the skill away.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:14 pm to TheDoc
quote:
Much easier to learn bass because it only has 4 strings
Yeah, anyone can play bass....
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:17 pm to Jester
Anyone can play bass, it's true.
:|
:|
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:27 pm to bobbyray21
The hardest part about learning an instrument is the first 6 months. All the practice will add up though you just need the patience to stick through it.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 12:41 pm to TheDoc
quote:
Anyone can play bass, it's true.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 1:08 pm to bobbyray21
I've played guitar for years and only recently picked up piano (3 yrs or so). For me the piano wasn't too bad to learn, although I am nowhere near good. At the same time, for some reason I never was able to play a bass well.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 2:24 pm to bobbyray21
I only play guitar.Been playing an acoustic for about 12 years.Self taught.There were times I thought about giving up and it took a couple of years before I was even entertaining to myself.If you stick it out you'll be glad you did.Being able to play music is very gratifying.
Posted on 5/30/13 at 2:47 pm to MontanaMax
quote:
At the same time, for some reason I never was able to play a bass well.
Smallish hands?
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