Both are great first instruments, and both lead to a lifetime of music. They just start differently. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose, from a studio that teaches both.
The short answer
Pick the one your child is excited about. Motivation drives practice, and practice drives progress. If your child has no strong preference, piano is often a slightly easier start for younger kids, and guitar is often the bigger draw for kids who love rock and pop.
Side by side
| Piano | Guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| First weeks | Pressing a key makes a clean note right away. Easy early wins. | Fingertips get sore and chords take a few weeks to sound clean. Then it clicks. |
| Seeing the music | Every note is laid out left to right. Great for understanding how music works. | Patterns and shapes on the neck. Very intuitive once learned. |
| Reading music | Usually learned early, reading both treble and bass clef. | Often starts with tab and chord charts, with notation added later. |
| Youngest age | Fine for many five- and six-year-olds. | Often around seven or eight, or earlier on a smaller guitar or ukulele. |
| At home | Needs a piano or a keyboard with full-size keys. Not portable. | Smaller, portable, and beginner guitars are affordable. |
| Playing with others | Accompanies singers and fits in bands as keys. | The classic band and campfire instrument. |
When piano is the better first pick
- Your child is on the younger side, five or six.
- They like puzzles, patterns and seeing how things work.
- They're drawn to classical, movie or game music.
- You already have a piano or keyboard at home.
More on our piano lessons.
When guitar is the better first pick
- Your child is seven or older and their hands are big enough for a smaller guitar.
- They want to play rock, pop or the songs on their playlist.
- They want to be in a band.
- They'll push through a couple of weeks of sore fingertips for the payoff.
More on our guitar lessons. If your child wants guitar but is small, ukulele is a great first step.
Does the first instrument lock them in?
No. Skills transfer. Piano gives a strong foundation in reading and theory that helps with everything later. Guitar builds rhythm, ear and chord knowledge that carries over to bass, ukulele and songwriting. Plenty of musicians play both.
What about drums, bass or voice?
If your child drums on everything, drums may be the answer. If they want to be in a band, bass gets them there fast. If they sing all day, start with voice. There's no wrong door into music.
Still not sure?
When you sign up, pick your best guess and tell us in the questions box. We'll help you choose. For age-specific advice, read what age should a child start music lessons.
Quick answers
Is piano or guitar easier for a beginner?
Piano is usually easier in the first few weeks because pressing a key makes a clean note right away. Guitar takes a few weeks of sore fingertips before chords sound clean, then progress speeds up. Over the long run, both take similar effort.
Should my child learn piano before guitar?
It isn't necessary. Piano gives a strong foundation in reading and theory, but the best first instrument is the one your child is excited about.
Can my child learn both guitar and piano?
Yes. Skills transfer between them. Most kids do best focusing on one at first, then adding the other.