Guitar or Piano?

[jabcool52]

I'm curious about this now. Piano skills are supposed to be good for people who want to be music majors (at least according to the PSAT's little blurb about what you need), but I've been playing guitar for a year. Isn't the point of having piano skills mainly for chord theory? If so, can't I get this from guitar?

I guess what I'm really asking is should I take piano lessons instead of guitar lessons for a while? I'm already taking tenor lessons and I think I'm going to take lessons for alto soon too. I'm currently on hiatus from guitar (he charges monthly, and I've already missed one or two this month due to sickness, so I decided to cancel for this month), but I normally have that too. The real problem wouldn't be money or making time for lessons, but more for making time to practice all 3 (or 4) instruments. I like guitar, but I figure I can take piano lessons for a little while and perhaps continue on my own after I've achieved some basic skill.

[Chris S]

Generally the purpose of learning piano is so that you can play things to people on a polyphonic instrument. I suppose it could be done on guitar also, but guitars are less readily-available than pianos-unless you carry your guitar around with you everywhere. Piano (for me at least) is a far more valuable instrument to play then guitar (yes I've played them both at various points in my career).

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while "chord theory" is one aspect of learning to play piano, it's not the primary objective (at least in any of the lessons or classes that I've taken).

Definitely couldn't hurt to learn it.

Chris S

[saxcurious]

Chord inversions and sight reading are generally easier in a piano.
This might provide some interesting insight
http://www.paul-galbraith.com/brahmsguitar.html

I play guitar because I like playing it much better than the piano (and I got out of piano as fast as I could).

[jazzbluescat]

If I was an instructor I'd advise all students, no matter what instrument, to get a good understanding and foundation of piano. Because you can see what you're doing, if for no other reason.

[jabcool52]

Thanks for the answers. I'm still going to consult my private instructor, but now I'm inclined to try getting some piano lessons instead of guitar for a little while (until I have some basic skill), unless I can somehow manage to take guitar and piano and still have time to practice both.

[rsclosson]

I believe most schools of music require Piano or at least proof of competancy on it so you would get a head start if you go the Piano route.

[Chris S]

I believe most schools of music require Piano or at least proof of competancy on it so you would get a head start if you go the Piano route.

In fact, I've never heard of a school that doesn't require you to be proficient on piano before you get a degree.

Chris S

[HC]

I love jazzbluescat's explaination the most. Unlike most instruments, you can actually see what you're doing. You see what a chord looks like. You can see how a chord is made up.

What I find most exciting about piano is that it could be thought about as a band or orchestra at your fingertips. Think about each key you press as a different instrument. (i.e. clarinet 1, clarinet 2, clarinet 3)