I want to get into my singing. I don't care who thinks I can or can't sing.

The question is, what is better to sing to and write sings with; Piano or Guitar?

i don't think that's something we can answer. you should really be asking yourself, which would i prefer to learn, guitar or piano?

that said, it really depends which kind of song you're writing

last edited by Erik-the-Red at 21:13:46 27/Feb/05

guitar would be easier in my opinion........piano is farkin hard.

I think it would depend on the style of music you want to play

I personally think piano is better to sing to, but guitar is alot easy hence quicker.

Well my mother has a piano but the most I can play on it is good king wessomethingorother.

I ask because I am sure there are music makers out there and they could say what is easier to create songs with...piano or guitar.

Just watch 60 mins with Delta, which is why I mention piano and everyone I know who has written their own songs has a Guitar.

I haven't had any experience on either really, so they are both fresh starts

I think it would depend on the style of music you want to play

What styles are there? Thart is essentially the problem.

I think sound like Alanis, Delta, Natasha (bedingfield), and whoever else.

I am just sick of watching X factor and Idol and wishing I was able to do what I love, even if I am crap at it.

last edited by Kat at 21:19:09 27/Feb/05

i would sugest Guitar because.

1. piano is alot more expensive
2. do you really have the time to learn the piano? i know you have a kid, so im assuming that the child takes up alot of your time

but imho, piano is better. but for your situation i would suggest a guitar

WW, I know how to read music. I took music lessons since I was like 5. Granted it was the recorder, but I still learnt how to read music. I know the difference between middle C and the rest, but I some how always come back to guitar being more worldy known and therefore easier.

Note, I haven't had music lessons on either instrument.

Edit: How much as an acoustic? lessons etc?


last edited by Kat at 21:26:50 27/Feb/05

Im learning piano myself now, i learnt ages ago and didnt play for like 5 years. I think it is so much cooler to play a song on piano than on guitar. Everyone can play guitar and there is such a amount of style involved in piano

You can get a cheap classical guitar for about $100-$150. Under $500 for something good to learn on. And if you are looking for a cheap electric im selling one. (just a chance to whore myself)

My friend gives leasons and it is $16 an hour

last edited by Astroboy at 21:30:09 27/Feb/05

Guitar players are a dime a dozen. Be different go Piano. I think the better song writters use piano anyway.

Both are good options, It's all personal preferance really(as anything with music). With piano you will probably end up learning more music theory then on guitar. you can/will learn theory on guitar as well, but I think pianos make learning theory easier and more natural. Then again, you can play both instruments without any theory as well and be completely feel. It's best to just follow what you'd like, (I find)you will play similarly to what your musical influences are. As Aaron said, Guitars are a lot less expensive then pianos.

After you learn one instrument it's a lot easier learning another, you don't have to lock yourself to one particular instrument. However, playing and singing at the same time requires a decent amount of coordination and patience. People often start learning an instrument and give up in a few months because they don't want to put in the hard yards(starting out is always the hardest). If you're learning any song, you must play it slowly as much as you play it full speed so it gets into procedural memory faster.

Basically: Anything you do is a good option providing you stick with it, you will develop your own style.

Disclaimer: This is what I've learnt from my experiance.

last edited by FlyingLlama at 21:36:58 27/Feb/05

My friend gives leasons and it is $16 an hour

Where are they and do you require your own guitar?

People often start learning an instrument and give up in a few months because they don't want to put in the hard yards(starting out is always the hardest).

I have been singing since I was knee high to a grasshopper, I have just never bothered to take it seriously. I have written songs, but with no music, and find myself getting depressed when listening to music or watchind idol or x factor because I wish I had bothered to try.

from what you have said i think guitar would be the much easier (not to mention cheaper) option for you, considering most mellowed out singers like what i picture your going to do use mainly basic chords on guitar. Maybe learn guitar first and branch off into Piano later ?

I know how to read music. I took music lessons since I was like 5

i think you missed the point that i was getting at.

basicaly, to learn to play the piano with any amount of skill. it will take alot longer than learning the guitar. weather you can read music or not it will take longer on the piano to get the co-ordination than it does for guitar.

Definetely piano or keyboard... it's much easier to locate notes then on guitar and the pitch (with a keyboard at least) is always spot on, plus you get plenty of practice reading off the bass stave.

You will also want to well verse yourself with music theory, beyond the basics of just reading music... interval ear training is a very useful asset when it comes to singing, as is general composition of harmonies... the rest obviously comes with piano playing :)

Joining a choir is also a good idea, even though it may sound dorky... they can teach you things and give you experience you can't get anywhere else... just makes you a better singer in general.

If you're buying a keyboard, I recommend the Casio CTK series... very cheap and functional (what I learnt on for my first year of playing)... of course the weighted keys of a piano is always much nicer, if you have access to one.

Yay for music :D

I would suggest pianee(sp?).

Where are they and do you require your own guitar?

Capalaba, but he travels and does the lessons at your house. You are meant to have your own guitar, but he has a few and is cool so he can bring one for you to use.

I suggest the pork flute.

Didn't read any other peoples posts... so I add a few more things in...

Price wise, I bought my Casio CTK 601 keyboard (61 key, touch sensitive) for around $300 brand new from Ellaways... it's not really very expensive (and of course there is cheaper). A decent playable guitar will set you back that anyway.

It's MUCH easier to learn theory on piano/keyboard, and I believe it's an easier instrument in general to play. I've been playing guitar for 5 years and I'm currently studying Grade 7, I've been playing piano for 4 years and I've completed Grade 8. Most people think guitar is easy because they read TABS, play powerchords and can strum time of your life... but theory wise it's quite difficult.

Either ways, it's time and effort in... if you want to get anywhere you should expect to spend minimum an hour a day practicing, ideally 2 or 3.

Joining a choir is also a good idea,

That was a very easy option when I was in primary school and we won many awards, but now, it isn't so easy

Instrument for singing

try your voice...

I'll let your play with my instrument if you want.

Can't guarantee it'll improve your singing though.

That was a very easy option when I was in primary school and we won many awards, but now, it isn't so easy

The Brisbane Choir is always open for new members... you just need to be able to sing in tune (obviously), clap some rhymthms back, sight read music some simple stuff, be able to sing simple scales, sing a few intervals, a few phrases of a church song... stuff that most music aware people (read: not tone deaf) could easily pick up within a year.

try your voice...

Tried, needs back up to get anywhere!

The Brisbane Choir is always open for new members

I haven't googled or anything similar. What is it and where do I find more about it?

but theory wise it's quite difficult.
I hear that! One thing I don't get though- Is this grade business? It sounds to me like a formal recognition of your competence in an instrument, is that correct? Where do you do the tests?

I am just sick of watching X factor and Idol and wishing I was able to do what I love, even if I am crap at it.

why? all the people on those shows are crap at it and it didn't stop them.

Just watch 60 mins with Delta, which is why I mention piano

you need to be diagnosed with a non lethal form of cancer and be a lying media slut to have a career like hers. Do you think you could make the step up in class?

last edited by spidz at 22:44:11 27/Feb/05

I hear that! One thing I don't get though- Is this grade business? It sounds to me like a formal recognition of your competence in an instrument, is that correct? Where do you do the tests?

Spot on! :) Grades (or Levels) are conducted by examainers from the AMEB (The Australian Music Examinations Board). These usually consist of yourself and your teacher sitting down with the examiner, playing several pieces (some pre-chosen from the set AMEB list, and some free choices) to the level you're going for. Most classical/orchestra/choral music has a level/grade, so a person graded at Level 4 on guitar, they could (or should be expected) play a classical composition graded at Level 4.

I did not have a teacher for any of my instruments, I'm self taught for voice, guitar and piano so I got a friend (who happens to be a vocal teacher) to arrange the exams for me... beats me how you would do them otherwise (99% of people that go for them get lessons).

They only come in handy if you're applying for something that requires formal qualifications... such as if you were going to join the Defence Force band (which requires a AMEB standard of Grade 6) or any orchestra... or applying for a tertiary studies at University (which hands largely in your favour)... there's countless examples :) Also if you wanted to become a music teacher.

Hope that explained a bit, probably stuffed a lot of stuff up in there :)

im a singer, can play piano alright and most of the basic chords on guitar. but i dont play either of those instruments in the band, but practice with them both.

I find that if u just wanna have a easy sing along, and u know the chords on piano, then that is easier/sounds better, and its simpler to write songs.

guitar takes a lot more practice just to play it coherently and to learn all the chords and play them well.

Also Astroboy can u give me the details of that guitar teacher.

Singing and playing guitar is hard, id say Piano would be harder. Funnily singing and drumming is easy :S

singing an upbeat song full of hope will be a lovely touch on those conjugal visits...

it must require a somewhat substantial amount of skill to sing and consume an instrument at the same time

http://maxe.ausgamers.com/dump/lleyton.jpg

why don't you get someone else to play the instrument, then it doesn't matter whether you can play it or not just sing away to your heart's content.

it must require a somewhat substantial amount of skill to sing and consume an instrument at the same time

whaf abouf mah, if iffenf faih...

...aahhff hufff afuff nowf i wanff maff fare...

i don't think that's something we can answer. you should really be asking yourself, which would i prefer to learn, guitar or piano?

that said, it really depends which kind of song you're writing

I think eric the red got it in one.

<3 you nF, much <3
LOL!

why don't you get someone else to play the instrument, then it doesn't matter whether you can play it or not just sing away to your heart's content.

If there are any takers who want to help put music to my words, then I am all ears. I haven't had much luck and figured if I couldn't do it with others, I should do it myself and stop coming up with excuse after excuse.

Get a guitar (and not a classical guitar but a standard steel string affair). The basic chords are very easy to learn and you can do a s***load with just three chords. Plus you can take it with you when you go places. Try playing the Casio 'round the old campfire. Just doesn't quite cut it.

Capalaba, but he travels and does the lessons at your house. You are meant to have your own guitar, but he has a few and is cool so he can bring one for you to use.

What is your email? Or email me katbad at gmail

I have an organ you could use for a while.......

All i can think of is something like a saxaphone or a tuba etc

you can practice skinflute

high pitched voices, ie: most women and poofters; should use a piano
deeper/scratchy voices, ie: most men and dykes; should use a guitar

Yeah do the melissa ethridge thing kat

SOMEBODDEHHH BRING ME SOME WATERRRRRR

Piano is naturally more melodic. But each to their own. I write on both. Males and females generally have similar ranges in voice so it doesn't really make a difference.

^^^ Very false, womens and mens voices differ in range quite a lot.

Guitar's don't really go low enough for a male singer (if you keep it in standard tuning), considering both the Tenor and Bass (that's me) parts are sung on the bass stave where as Soprano and Alto parts are on the treble stave, which guitar is soley read off... where as with piano you cover both staves, once again making it a superior vocal instrument.

every man and his dog plays guitar, and ive found from my own experiences that people who play piano have more technical proficiency and know more theory than those who dont, however id definately recommend guitar if youre just looking to put a few basic chords to your songs (sounds like what you want?)

guitar is pretty easy to pick up

^^^ Very false, womens and mens voices differ in range quite a lot.

Guitar's don't really go low enough for a male singer (if you keep it in standard tuning), considering both the Tenor and Bass (that's me) parts are sung on the bass stave where as Soprano and Alto parts are on the treble stave, which guitar is soley read off... where as with piano you cover both staves, once again making it a superior vocal instrument.

As if anyone sings lower than an E. And even if that's the wrong octave, then singing that low is really gay if you are on your own. My range is E below middle C (pretty sure that's the one I mean - the lowest note on guitar?) to an E 2 octaves above that with my head voice. Don't know many girls who have a range much different to taht, cept with their lower voice only getting down to a middle C or D.

Lets start a band!

I would... but can't stand playing with people who aren't as good at singing as me;)

I would... but can't stand playing with people who aren't as good at singing as me;)

It is okay I won't sing that much better than you

As if anyone sings lower than an E. And even if that's the wrong octave, then singing that low is really gay if you are on your own. My range is E below middle C (pretty sure that's the one I mean - the lowest note on guitar?) to an E 2 octaves above that with my head voice. Don't know many girls who have a range much different to taht, cept with their lower voice only getting down to a middle C or D.

Well considering a tenor (high male part) has to go as low as C (an octave below middle C), which you can't reach on a guitar... and then a bass has to go to the F at the BOTTOM of the bass stave, nearly all properly trained males sing that low. If you're taking head voice into account, remember that a female will be able to sing an additional octave higher, if not more then a male.

Why is it guys want to sound like chicks these days, low singers are hard to find.

Why is it guys want to sound like chicks these days, low singers are hard to find.

We need more barber shop quartets!

s*** thread