Is piano easier than violin?

i play both and my friend says she wants to learn the easier instrument. i don't know what to tell her. i told her she should play the kuzoo but she refused.

These types of questions usually tend to start flame wars because people usually put their instrument on a pedestal.

I think that from an objective standpoint, the piano is easier when it comes to learning the basics and beginning. Anyone who is physically able, can figure out for themselves how to play notes or a combination on the piano, but the violin takes more work to just figure out the elementary components (working with the bow, dynamics, how to move from note to note, et al).

However, I think that the piano is harder to master. Merely learning the notes to Fur Elise is not really a major accomplishment when there is such a broad repertoire available and countless difficult pieces. I think many people who are new to the piano or don't understand what it means to be a pianist think that it's just about memorizing notes and chords, when really, you put so much of your heart/soul into playing, which translates to a variety of dynamics, movements, timing, moods, etc. I would say the piano is more difficult to master also because there is so much you can do with a piano (solo) compared with other instruments. For example, in the piano version of Rhapsody in Blue, you can imagine/hear all of the other instruments. On a violin, you could not get that kind of depth.

All of that having been said, she should learn to play an instrument that she has some sort of connection with. If she just wants to learn an easy instrument, she will probably lose motivation and remain around beginner status.

She should go to a music store where she can rent instruments and try them out.

Neither is easier. Whether or not it is easy should not be the basis for such a decision. You should learn because you like the instrument and its repertoire - not whether or not it is easy.

Tell her to learn Cymbals, and you will be able to play together once in a while.

In my opinion, the piano is waayyy easier to play. I tried them both and it took me a while ( and i mean a long while) to even play the violin right, but the piano is easier. I became an average piano player just after maybe a week or more (or maybe a couple days) to learn how to play the piano. But exactly, maybe just ask her which she is more interested in learning how to play.

it depends on what your personality is, i have experience with both and if you have fast reflexes and have good, functional hands i'd go with the piano, also if you travel a lot maybe the piano isn't the best choice because of its size. you need the same skills for the violin too but also with eiher you'll need to pratice and not give up. so my suggesion is to try out both and see which one you like better.

ya the piano is much easier to me. on the piano you have to put your fingers on the exact place and move the bow around all around. ou cant really play a variety of types of songs but thats just my opinoin.

The piano is easier for a beginner ( you do not spend 6 months learning how to make a nice sound ) but at the intermediate and advanced level I think all instruments become equally hard.
The violin is one of the most technically demanding and I would not recommend anybody to learn this unless they really love the violin.
I love the violin and that is why I started learning.

I have also told people to play the kazoo if they want an easy instrument. We will probably both get nasty emails from kazoo players now. LOL

It depends on you. For me the piano was easiest! I played the violin and then moved to playing the viola and loved it, but it took far more work for me to learn than the piano.

neither is easy ... piano is easier ... but she should play what sparks her desire the most not what is easier! .... Malcolm did get it right with neither is easy ....

It's KAZOO...anyway, the piano is easier and better...sorry violin players out there.