When you start thinking about learning a new instrument, you quickly realize how many there are to choose from. But, are you specifically weighing the pros and cons between guitar vs. violin? Wondering which one you should choose?
In this article, I will discuss the benefits and challenges of each of these two instruments, in order to help you make the decision for yourself.
Which is Better Violin or Guitar?
For centuries, people have enjoyed making music with stringed instruments. Violins and guitars are two of the most popular choices, and each has its own unique benefits:
- Violins are often considered more versatile than guitars, as they can be used for a wider range of genres, from classical to folk to pop.
- They also tend to be easier to learn than guitars, making them a great choice for beginners.
- Guitars, on the other hand, are perfect for those who want to rock out.
- They’re also very portable, making them ideal for buskers and travelling musicians.
Ultimately, the decision of which instrument to learn is a matter of personal preference. But whether you choose a violin or a guitar, you’re sure to enjoy hours of musical enjoyment.
Regardless of which instrument you choose, consider signing up for lessons. Your instructor will be able to show you the ins and outs of your chosen instrument – plus, you’ll learn fun new skills like the ones you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tKEkV7bB1E
Is it Easier to Play Violin or Guitar?
Many people believe that playing the violin is more difficult than playing the guitar. After all, the violin requires precise finger placement and complex bow movements, while the guitar can be played with a simple strumming pattern.
However, both instruments have their own unique challenges.
For instance, the violinist must be able to produce a clear tone with each bow stroke, while the guitarist must be able to control the strings with both hands. In addition, both instruments require a great deal of practice and dedication in order to achieve mastery.
As a result, it is hard to say which instrument is truly more difficult to play. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and skill level.
Guitar Pros:
1. Frets
The guitar has frets, which makes the issue of finger placement accuracy much less stressful. You can place your finger anywhere between two frets, and it will always play the correct note, as long as the open string is in tune.
On the violin, there are no frets. This means the finger has to be in the exact correct spot for the note to play well. Violinists spend years learning how to play in tune, and this can be a cause of frustration, especially for beginners.
2. Capo
On the guitar, transposing keys is made a lot simpler by the capo; a handy little contraption placed over all the strings at a given fret.
To some, it is considered cheating, but the capo can make lots more music accessible to beginners. There is no such thing as a violin capo, therefore, violinists have to learn to play in many more keys in order to be on par with their guitar counterparts.
3. Right Hand Technique
Guitarists usually hold a pick in their right hand, while violinists, a bow. Although both can be a challenge to learn how to use and execute comfortably, the pick is by far an easier choice. The pick hold is more flexible, natural, and certainly more forgiving.
Many people even learn how to hold the pick on their own! It still is challenging at first, but the pick hold is something that can be mastered relatively easily compared to the bow hold. The bow hold is something that can take years to master. It also has a huge effect on the sound that can be produced from the violin. Without a good bow hold, your sound will be too soft, scratchy, squeaky, uneven, or choppy. The only bad thing that can happen from a bad pick hold is that you might be slowed down or play an occasional wrong string.
Violin pros:
Now that we’ve discussed the positives of learning the guitar vs. violin, we will talk about the advantages the violin has over the guitar.
1. Pressing Down Strings
One of the most initial challenges new guitarists face is the difficulty with pressing down the strings. It can take up to a few weeks of pushing through finger pain until you build up the necessary calluses to play guitar without problems. On the violin, however, it might be a little difficult to press down the strings the first day or two (depending on how your violin is set up), but this is usually just a fleeting concern.
2. Travel Size
This may be something that most people don’t consider when choosing an instrument, but it can be an important issue to take into account. If you’re someone that travels a lot, especially by plane, it’s important to know what traveling with an instrument is like.
With a violin, it’s usually not an issue. Most airlines have no problem with people carrying their violin on a plane with them, as long as it will fit in the overhead bins (which they usually do). The guitar, on the other hand, is a totally different story. I’ve never attempted to fly with a guitar, but I have heard many stories from friends and acquaintances.
Since guitars don’t fit in the overhead bins on a flight, many people opt to buy a separate seat for their instrument, or negotiate with the flight attendants to store it in a closet on board. The last resort is to put it with the checked luggage. This is very dangerous because on flights, instruments are not handled with care, and the guitar will almost definitely get broken. Even with a super expensive, heavy, fancy flight case, no promises can be made.
3. Tuning Intervals
The violin is tuned in fifths. If that doesn’t make sense to you, don’t worry. Just know that there is a consistent interval between the pitch of all four strings, making many fingering patterns repeatable. On the guitar, there are inconsistencies in the tuning, meaning there are certain places on the fretboard where fingering patterns don’t apply. This isn’t a huge setback, but certainly means it will take more exploration to get a feel for the fingerboard than it does on the violin.
Of course, there’s no need to limit yourself to one instrument.
A Few More Differences Violin vs Guitar
Both instruments produce beautiful music, but there are some key differences that set them apart. Let’s take a look at some of the major distinctions between these two stringed instruments.
Violin Strings vs Guitar Strings
One of the most obvious differences between a violin and a guitar is the type of strings each instrument uses. The strings on a violin are made up of metal or synthetic materials like nylon, while guitar strings are made up of steel. The way in which both instruments are strung also differs significantly; violins have four strings tuned in perfect fifths, while guitars have six strings with varying tuning based on the style of guitar being played (i.e., acoustic or electric).
Learning Violin vs Guitar
Learning to play the violin takes much more time and effort than learning to play the guitar. This is because playing the violin requires an intricate understanding of note reading, technique, and intonation. On the other hand, learning to play the guitar requires only basic knowledge about chords and picking techniques, which can be easily picked up by beginners in just a few days.
Guitar vs Violin Range
The range of notes each instrument can produce is also quite different. The range for a standard 4-string violin typically ranges from G3-C7; however, with advanced techniques such as double stops and glissandos this range can be extended even further into higher registers. A standard 6-string guitar has an even wider range from E2-E4 depending on its tuning.
Guitar vs Violin Tuning
The final difference we will discuss is how each instrument is tuned. A typical 4-string violin is tuned to GDAE whereas your typical 6-string guitar has multiple tunings depending on its size/style (standard tuning for acoustic/electric guitars = EADGBE). The variation in tunings allows each instrument to produce unique sounds that differ greatly from one another; however, it should be noted that both instruments can be re-tuned to suit different styles/genres if desired!
Guitar or Violin for Child
When it comes to choosing an instrument for a child, there are a few important factors to consider.
First of all, it is important to think about the child’s age and level of coordination. A young child may have difficulty holding a large instrument like a guitar, whereas a violin can be comfortably played by children of all ages.
Another important factor to consider is the child’s interests and personality. A lively child who loves music may enjoy the challenge of learning how to play the guitar, while a more introspective child may prefer the soft sound of the violin.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which instrument is right for a child is to try both and see which one they respond to. With a little patience and practice, any child can learn to make beautiful music on either a guitar or a violin.
Can a Violinist Play Guitar?
A violinist and a guitar player may both be virtuosos of their respective instruments, but that doesn’t mean that they can simply switch instruments and continue playing at the same level. The two instruments are quite different, both in terms of how they are played and the techniques required to produce a good sound.
That said, if you’re trying to make a decision between these two instruments, it may mean you’re interested in both. You don’t have to limit yourself to just learning one instrument if you don’t want to. The more music that exists in this world, the better! Sign up for guitar or violin lessons today.
Image link:
https://www.mccabetuition.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/pexels-photo-941674.png
Alani Sugar