Originally Posted by Rain Man (Post 9357497)

I really want to learn to play the piano. If you can play the piano, you can wow people at parties or occasionally in the mall.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud (Post 9357264)

My personal and professional opinion is to teach her piano.

There's nothing more satisfying than being able to walk into a room at any age, whether it's 10 or 20 or 30 or 70, read sheet music and play any song.

It's the universal language for a reason. It's an ambidextrous instrument, it teaches history (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, etc.) and there's nothing like the accomplishment of playing historically significant musical pieces or a song from the present.

If you can't afford a piano, rent one to see if the desire is there. Outside of that, guitar is a difficult instrument, especially first instrument, for many reasons.

First off, it's painful to press metal strings on wood to make sound. Most guitars are set up like ****ing shit, whether it's a $100 guitar or a $3000 Gibson (I just had a beginner at my house last week with a $3k 335 that was ****ing dogshit).

Secondly, 99% of all teachers teach the instrument incorrectly, so students don't even like playing after a few weeks. Who wants to play their favorite song on an unplayable $99 dollar acoustic?

Furthermore, if your kids can't sing (i.e., sing in tune, have pitch, etc.) you're wasting your time. I hate to sound like a dick but if you can't sing (and I'm not referring to great tone, sounding like a gospel singer, etc.), your kids will bomb with any instrument.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by Gadzooks (Post 9357505)

For point 3, I've always felt that using an electric with lighter gauge strings, (coupled with low action), can show quicker results which breeds a further fascination with the instrument, thus, increasing interest in expanding her musical horizons


Did you put a patch on her right eye when she was born so she wouldn't be lazy with her sight?
Why would you want to handicap her out of the gate?

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 9358080)

Wait a minute, aren't you the guy that warned against frequent use of hammer-on's and pull-off's? :P

Yes, lighter strings and a lower action might lead to quicker results. I can also say from personal experience that it fosters bad habits.

Futhermore, now that I play my electric in B standard with 12-56 strings, the time I spent on the acoustic is invaluable. Switching from 8's or 9's to these would be very hard to do simply from a finger wear/fatigue standpoint. They're chunky.

And my youngest daughter had a strabismus. She had to wear a path over her eye for 2 years. How dare you!

Originally Posted by Gadzooks (Post 9358227)

I've found that kids are more likely to stick with guitar when it's not drenched in their own blood.
I learned on an electric with 8's and moved on to acoustic later.
BTW - I'm sorry about your daughter's strabismus, (I had to look that up). I hope she's better now.:thumb: