Piano vs guitar: Which instrument suits you best?

Have you ever been in a heated debate about the superior instrument - the piano vs the guitar? Well, you're not alone. It's a question that has sparked countless discussions among musicians and music enthusiasts alike. But here's the thing - it's not about superiority. It's about understanding each instrument's unique characteristics, strengths, and challenges. And that's precisely what we're going to dive into today.

As a classically trained pianist who has transitioned to the guitar, I've had the privilege of experiencing the best of both worlds. So, whether you're a beginner trying to decide which instrument to start with, or an experienced musician considering learning a new instrument, this post is for you. Let's get started!

Artistic and practical considerations

One of the biggest reasons you may choose one instrument over another is how well it fits into your lifestyle and aligns with your desires for artistic expression. We’ll explore some factors including portability, expressiveness, price, and depth of sounds, to help you find the right instrument.

Portability

The guitar has a clear advantage in terms of portability. Its compact size and lightweight design make it an ideal companion for musicians on the go. This extends to the home as well. Unlike pianos, which require dedicated space, a guitar can comfortably fit into any corner of your room. Speaking of portability, a wearable metronome like the Soundbrenner Core 2 is the perfect accompaniment to a guitar or piano, helping you keep time and stay in rhythm, wherever your music takes you.

Expressiveness

While both the piano and guitar offer a wide range of expressive possibilities, the guitar provides a unique avenue for emotional expression. Techniques such as vibrato, pitch bends, and slides can add a new dimension to your music, allowing you to impart more feeling into your performances. While common on the guitar, these techniques are not as easily replicated on the piano. The tactile nature of the guitar, where you can physically bend the strings or slide your fingers along the fretboard, offers a direct connection to the sound that many musicians find appealing.

Price

When it comes to price, both the piano and the guitar can be pretty similar. Both instruments offer a wide range of options, from budget-friendly models to high-end ones, catering to different skill levels and budgets. Whether you're a beginner looking for an affordable start or a professional seeking a top-tier instrument, the piano and the guitar have something to offer.

Depth of sounds

In terms of the variety of sounds, digital pianos and synthesizers take the lead. With the press of a button, you can access a vast array of sounds, from different piano types to various other instruments and sound effects. This versatility can add a fun and creative dimension to your music-making. On the other hand, while electric guitars can also produce a range of sounds, they often require additional equipment like effects pedals. The variety of sounds is also generally more limited compared to digital pianos.

Collectability

One unique aspect of guitar culture is the hobby of collecting. Many guitarists enjoy collecting, investing in, and selling vintage or otherwise collectable guitars. This hobby not only allows them to own a piece of music history but also provides an opportunity to decorate their homes with beautiful instruments. Collecting guitars can also be seen as an investment, as some vintage and rare models can appreciate over time.

Of course, there are collectable and vintage pianos as well, but these are typical of the grand and baby grand variety, and thus due to their size and cost are less common to be collected by the average hobbyist.

Piano vs guitar for beginners

If you're a beginner looking to embark on your musical journey, choosing between the piano and the guitar can be a daunting task. Both instruments have their unique challenges and advantages. Let's break it down:

Physical requirements

Starting with the guitar, one of the first challenges beginners face is building finger strength and developing calluses. The steel strings of a guitar can be tough on the fingers, and it takes time for your fingertips to get used to the pressure. On the other hand, the piano doesn't require you to build up finger strength or calluses in the same way. However, it does require you to develop precision and speed, especially when playing complex pieces that involve both hands.

Hand synchronization

Both piano and guitar require synchronization between your hands. For guitar, this involves strumming or picking with one hand while fretting notes with the other. This can be more intuitive for beginners as both hands are often playing the same rhythm. On the piano, however, each hand often plays a different part, which can be challenging for beginners. You might be playing a steady rhythm with your left hand while your right-hand plays a melody, or vice versa. This requires a higher level of coordination and independence between the hands.

Theory and memorization

When it comes to theory and memorization, the guitar has a bit of an edge. Once you learn the basic chord shapes, you can move them up and down the neck to play different chords. This shape-based approach simplifies the learning process and makes it easier to play songs early on. The piano, on the other hand, requires more pure memorization. The shapes you play will change with different chords, and you'll need to learn to read music on the grand staff, including the treble and bass clefs.

Sheet music vs guitar tabs

Another point to consider is the difference between sheet music and guitar tabs. While both instruments have their forms of written music, guitar tabs are generally considered easier for beginners. They show exactly where to place your fingers on the fretboard, without requiring you to memorize the order of notes like sheet music does. This makes it easier to start playing songs quickly on the guitar.

Practising rhythm

Regardless of the instrument you choose, practising rhythm is crucial. A great tool to help with this is the BeatBuddy, a drum machine that makes practising rhythm fun and engaging. It allows you to play along with various drum beats, helping you develop a solid sense of timing and rhythm.

Accessibility

Both the piano and the guitar are highly accessible instruments for beginners. Countless resources are available online, including video tutorials, interactive apps, and online music lessons. These resources can help you learn at your own pace and explore different styles of music.

Piano vs guitar as tools for music composition

When it comes to music composition, both the piano and the guitar offer unique advantages. The choice between the two often depends on the composer's personal preference, the style of music, and the specific needs of the composition.

Range and versatility

The piano has a significant advantage in terms of range. With 88 keys, the piano can play basslines, treble-based melodies, and chord progressions that sit in the middle of a mix, offering a broad canvas for composers to paint their musical ideas. This range allows for complex harmonies and the ability to play multiple parts simultaneously, making the piano an excellent tool for composing and arranging music.

In many cases, digital pianos and synthesizers are equipped with built-in drum modes that also allow you to play your drum beats.

Ease of recording and MIDI pattern creation

Recording your musical ideas is an essential part of the composition process. Both the piano and the guitar can be recorded using a variety of methods, from traditional microphones to direct input into a digital audio workstation (DAW).

While both instruments can also be used as MIDI controllers, the piano's layout and outputs make it particularly well-suited for creating MIDI patterns. The linear arrangement of keys allows for a visual representation of music theory concepts, making it easier to compose and experiment with different melodies, harmonies, and rhythms.

For those looking for a DAW-less solution for recording tracks and songs, the Aeros Loop Studio by Singular Sound is a fantastic option. This device allows you to easily record, layer, and loop your ideas without the need for a computer, creating full songs on the fly.

Expressiveness and sound variety

About the above, each instrument has pros and cons.

The guitar offers unique expressive possibilities that can inspire creativity. Techniques such as vibrato, pitch bends, and slides can add a unique flavour to your compositions. This expressiveness makes it popular with singers/songwriters who often choose acoustic guitars as their instruments of choice.

On the other hand, digital pianos and synthesizers further expand the piano's versatility in composition. With the press of a button, you can switch from a grand piano sound to strings, brass, synths, and more. This variety of sounds can be a great source of inspiration and can add different textures and colours to your compositions. This makes synthesizers and pianos a common choice for hip-hop and electronic musicians.

Conclusion

Choosing between piano vs guitar is a very personal decision. Each instrument offers unique advantages and challenges, and the best choice often depends on your preferences, lifestyle, and musical goals.

With its portability, expressiveness, and culture of collecting, the guitar can be an excellent choice for those who value convenience, emotional expression, and the joy of owning unique instruments. Its ease of learning and the simplicity of guitar tabs can also make it an appealing choice for beginners.

On the other hand, with its wide range, sound versatility, and visual layout of keys, the piano offers a comprehensive music composition platform. Its suitability for creating MIDI patterns and the ease of switching between different sounds on digital pianos and synthesizers make it a powerful tool for composers and producers.

Ultimately, don’t forget that it doesn’t have to be piano vs guitar. You can choose both and experience the pros of each instrument. Whatever you decide, pick an instrument, start playing, and let the music guide you!