Pianists who play guitar?

[lani]

I know this is a piano forum, but I'm curious to know if many pianists play guitar also, and if the transition is easy.  We're told if you have the piano foundation the transition to other instruments is quite easier.  My daughter was invited to play in her schools rock band, and picked up the guitar for the first time recently.  She was given a easy piece, and her fellow band members thought she did really well, even with guitarists who've played for several years.  Now she's caught the guitar bug, although she'd never give up piano. My question, do some of you pianists play other instruments also, and do you find it too difficult to keep up with both instruments, especially if you're young? I don't want to discourage her, but this seems to be a lot of practice for two instruments on top of a busy schedule of homework and athletics. Thanks, Lani

[MzrtMusic]

I play piano (of course) violin, cello, xylophone, the Irish whistle and I'm getting ready to pick up the saxaphone. I've played bass guitar some, but never any more than that. I am still in school, and I've never found that it's a problem to learn multiple instruments. Of course, piano is my main priority, and it gets most of the practice time, but because the other instruments were something I wanted to do, I was able to make them fit.

Love,

Sarah

[matt_black]

If learning guitar by ear you tend to learn a lot of the different chords - it makes you look t piano music as a set of chords rather than a set of notes - can be very usefull to think in this way when picking up piano songs by ear.

[Ben P.]

This is a good question. I am the opposite - Guitar and Bass first, then piano. I'll say this: Piano, for me is far more readily adapted to sight reading. I cannot, for the life of me, sight read fast on guitar (bass isn't bad at all), but on piano, it is a dream.

It is a very nice and complimentary exchange between the instruments, in my opinion, as you get - by default almost - exposure to new and unique voicings.

Also, I'd like to thank a couple of members who sent PMs - I purchased a piano (Steingraeber) and truly appreciate the advice.

Take care.

Ben

[faulty_damper]

I wanted to pick up a guitar, a classical one, but the thought of having long nails on my right hand... consider also that I play the piano... and you'd be yelled at by my piano teacher.

[djbrak]

You don't need long nails on the plectrum hand to play guitar...
Unless you want to be a virtuoso flamenco guitarist or something.

[rodoherty2]

My first instrument is Bass Guitar (I've only been playing piano for about 2-3 months) and I do find it difficult to share time between the two instruments.  I'm in full-time employment so I try to practice two hours a day after work.

My schedule of 1 hr Bass and 1 hr Piano was not working because I couldn't get enough practice of either done in one hour so I'm switching to doing bass every other day in the hope that the two hour practice sessions will be more valuable than two separate 1 hour sessions.

Rob.

[minsmusic]

I play the descant, treble and tenor recorders, harmonica, irish whistle, zither, glockenspiel, clarinet, drums, flute and am learning the violin.  I teach piano, keyboard, voice and guitar.  (These are all the instruments I own .. some people collect coins/stamps,  I collect instruments  )

When you have no other hobbies but music it's easy.  I can imagine if you want to add other pursuits that take time energy and thought process, it would be difficult.  Two instruments are fine when you're at school.  Encourage your daughter to be organised. I'd recommend she balance the practise not equally, but devoting more time/energy etc to her priority instrument.

Each person is different.  However, to me it would be an AWFUL thought to deprive someone from a musical instrument when you have the means of providing it, and encouraging it.  

If she is suffering in other areas, then perhaps the guitar should be seen more as an 'outlet', a 'hobby' than true study of the instrument.  I have found most kids work this out for themselves.

[minsmusic]

I play ... cello, Love,

Sarah

I'm jealous.  I've always loved the thought of playing the cello.  

[lani]

Thanks, everyone.  You are all so great to respond to my post.  Deprivation is most certainly not our problem-overscheduling is!  However your posts re: prioritizing and guitar being more of a hobby is pretty much all we can handle right now.  Never hear of the Irish whistle...perfect for St. Patrick's Day I imagine!

[Daevren]

I play guitar. I got a desent technique on that instrument.

But I think I like the piano more. No intonation problems(thats a big advantage, really big, wow) no strings hurting your fingers, less tension overall.

The disadvantage is the amount of control you can get on a guitar. The string is right under your finger, you can manipulate it in any way you want. You can add harmonics, vibrato, slides, a percussionistic attack on the strings.

I also want to play an indian percussion instrument. That gives me a huge musical pallet. With those three instruments I can do anything.

[minsmusic]

 Never hear of the Irish whistle...

Tin flute?  Tin whistle?  Penny whistle? It's like the recorder, only much thinner and different fingerings and made in one piece. And of course, made of tin!  Quality instruments have a wooden insert in the mouth piece. Its similar to the flute in that the way you blow into it can give the different octaves or registers.  It usually doubles with the 'fiddle' part in Irish music, but is used extensively solo.  It was 'invented' in 1843 by a farmer called Robert Clarke.   Its heaps of fun and these days you can get one as cheap as chips!  

[pianoannie]

I'm pretty serious about piano (I'm a teacher myself as well as a student).  About 20 years ago I gave up guitar to focus exlusively on piano, for 2 main reasons.  Practice time--I'd rather devote all my time to excelling at one instrument.  Secondly, finger callouses--required for guitar, but for me, detrimental to playing the piano.  The callouses caused by guitar strings greatly decrease the sensitivity in my fingertips, which adversely affects my piano playing.
I'll pull out one of my guitars a couple of times per year, but I can only manage 2 or 3 songs before I'm in pain!

[steveolongfingers]

Guitar lets you explore realms not possible with a piano.

[Loor]

I play piano (of course) violin, cello, xylophone, the Irish whistle and I'm getting ready to pick up the saxaphone. I've played bass guitar some, but never any more than that. I am still in school, and I've never found that it's a problem to learn multiple instruments. Of course, piano is my main priority, and it gets most of the practice time, but because the other instruments were something I wanted to do, I was able to make them fit.

Love,

Sarah

I would looove to play the guitar,cello and violin *one day* Sarah im so jealous of u

[steveolongfingers]

But I think I like the piano more. No intonation problems(thats a big advantage, really big, wow) no strings hurting your fingers, less tension overall.

The strings actually hurting your fingers goes away after a month of diehard practicing.  I can stick a needle in the tips of fingers and not feel it now.

I think this is more of an advantage, it allows the player to manipulate tone, pitch, and even number of overtones with a simple flick of the wrist this adds so many possibilties

[Shagdac]

I have played piano for almost 40 years, it is my passion. I also took Guitar, only a year or so, and played Oboe for 5 years. I have always thought that if one can play the piano, they usually can pick up any other instrument easily. Many of the schools in my area require 2 years piano as a prerequisite to playing any other instrument for band etc, in school.  I didn't care as much for the Guitar, I'm not really sure why, but it was not difficult to pick up. I enjoyed the Oboe, but Piano has always been my passion. I still would love to play the Harp. I think it is such a beautiful instrument. I don't think you should spread yourself too thin, it's better to excel at 1 instument than to tackle too many and just be so-so at all of them. If you enjoy it, and have the time though, why not? Often by trying several instruments you can see what you enjoy most, and then focus on that. Good luck with all your music!


Shag

[Daevren]

Steveolongfingers, yes disadvantage=advantage, duh my fault.

Yes, I have a fair amount of callouses on my fingertips, I had blisters once, but the problem remains. Its is a disadvantage. Also the fact that the space between the frets gets smaller when you get higher on the neck. Image that the size of the keys on the piano would go from big to small from left to right. That would be terrible. The piano is really comfortable to play. Its also the easies (real) instrument to play, that is why you can play such difficult music on it.

[steveolongfingers]

A guitar is also more portable than a piano  
You can carry around a portable amp and a gig bag guitar on your back.  


For a second imagion carrying a grand piano on your back........it just doesnt happen

[lani]

Oh, that's a good one-however, my daughter now wants en electric keyboard for the rock/jazz ensembles! Regards, Lani