Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 
I posted this on the music board, but it won't get much traffic there.
Which is more difficult to master, piano or guitar?
I think when an instrument has more technical, complex music written for it, it is harder. Guitar is obviously a physically harder instrument to play. Anyone can play a chord on a piano if someone shows them, versus taking some practice on a guitar to get it. But after you condition your fingers for the guitar, the hardest part is over. You only have to think about one rythm on a guitar, while piano has two, one for each hand. A guitar is more forgiving for playing accuracy as well. A misplayed note on a guitar is not nearly as noticeable as it is on piano. Piano also requires the player to move their hands more often and over a further distance. But then I play the guitar after playing piano and I am reminded of its difficulties as well. Figuring out chords on a guitar can be more difficult because of the layout of the fretboard. On a piano, the notes are all in one row, repeating themselves in octaves like dog years. So easy, that this is probably why the "key"board became the standard for declaring the key of a song. If I'm wrong please correct me.
However, after watching the last half hour of the movie "The Pianist" I am thinking that the piano, when taking dynamics, pedals, and two different clefs, (bass & treble) would take longer to master. And I consider "mastering" to be being able to sightread any of Chopin's etudes(which are likely the most difficult piano pieces ever written), or if you don't read music, knowing and being able to play any combination of scale and chord progression with an equal amount of speed and precision. And the same can be said for the most technical guitar pieces.
If anyone can recommend a movie or video showcasing someone's virtuoso skills for guitar, please let me know, I want to see it.
That being said, this argument could go on forever, please give your 2 cents.
Thank you.
Which is more difficult to master, piano or guitar?
I think when an instrument has more technical, complex music written for it, it is harder. Guitar is obviously a physically harder instrument to play. Anyone can play a chord on a piano if someone shows them, versus taking some practice on a guitar to get it. But after you condition your fingers for the guitar, the hardest part is over. You only have to think about one rythm on a guitar, while piano has two, one for each hand. A guitar is more forgiving for playing accuracy as well. A misplayed note on a guitar is not nearly as noticeable as it is on piano. Piano also requires the player to move their hands more often and over a further distance. But then I play the guitar after playing piano and I am reminded of its difficulties as well. Figuring out chords on a guitar can be more difficult because of the layout of the fretboard. On a piano, the notes are all in one row, repeating themselves in octaves like dog years. So easy, that this is probably why the "key"board became the standard for declaring the key of a song. If I'm wrong please correct me.
However, after watching the last half hour of the movie "The Pianist" I am thinking that the piano, when taking dynamics, pedals, and two different clefs, (bass & treble) would take longer to master. And I consider "mastering" to be being able to sightread any of Chopin's etudes(which are likely the most difficult piano pieces ever written), or if you don't read music, knowing and being able to play any combination of scale and chord progression with an equal amount of speed and precision. And the same can be said for the most technical guitar pieces.
If anyone can recommend a movie or video showcasing someone's virtuoso skills for guitar, please let me know, I want to see it.
That being said, this argument could go on forever, please give your 2 cents.
Thank you.
