Chookie wrote:

In article ,
"gale" wrote:


violin. it's lovely to hear how much he enjoys what you enjoy!

Why violin? Even my violinist friend seems to think piano is a better
starting instrument, for some reason, as does my very-talented-friend-who-can
get-a-tune-out-of-anything (though she started on piano).


I really think that piano is better to start with.
You get a better grounding in music theory, because the
piano is the best at providing a spatial sense of the music.
It gives an opportunity to learn to read multiple lines of
music and multiple clefs. It's easy to go from multiple lines
and multiple clefs to a single line and single clef, but it's
much more difficult to do the reverse.


BTW, are (cheaper) electric pianos as good as the Real Thing for music
students these days, or is a Proper Piano still advisable? I am aware that
the very good ones are at least as pricey as a piano.


Most teachers still suggest an acoustic piano for
learning; however, the really good electrics are quite
amazing and have a very realistic touch. All other
things being equal, I'd probably go with an acoustic piano,
but there are situations in which I'd go with an electric
(e.g., no good place for an acoustic piano, living in an
apartment and need to be able to practice with headphones,
etc.). When I was in music school, *LOTS* of the piano
majors had good electrics in their dorm rooms or apartments.
I even knew professional pianists who had only an electric
at home. Circumstances permitting, they'd all likely prefer
a good acoustic, but when they couldn't do an acoustic for
some reason, they managed just fine with a good electric.
The technology has gotten so good that the difference in
feel and control isn't near what it used to be. I
definitely wouldn't go with a cheaper electric, though.
I think having the right feel is very important when
learning and developing technique.

Best wishes,
Ericka