Which Instrument Should You Start With At Pro Music Tuition?

Choosing between beginner guitar and beginner piano is one of the most common questions we hear from families across Birmingham and the Black Country. At Pro Music Tuition, we teach hundreds of guitar and piano students every week at our seven music schools in Rubery (Birmingham), Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Cradley Heath and Rowley Regis, plus online students from all over the UK and beyond.

Both guitar and piano are fantastic first instruments. This guide will help you understand the differences, so you can choose the one that fits your child, your lifestyle, and your musical goals.

Why Start With Beginner Guitar?

If you (or your child) want to play real songs as quickly as possible, a guitar is an excellent choice. Many of our beginner guitar students in Birmingham and the Black Country can strum a simple song within their first few lessons. That early win is a huge confidence boost and keeps motivation high.

What makes beginner guitar so popular?

Quick progress – You can often play a recognisable song within the first week or two.
Great for modern music – Perfect for pop, rock, indie, worship, metal and acoustic styles.
Portable – Easy to carry to school, band practice or a friend’s house.
Perfect for teens – Ideal for jamming with friends or starting a band.
Flexible lessons – One-to-one or group guitar lessons, in person or online, 7 days a week.

If you’re specifically looking for guitar lessons, you can read more about our approach here

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A quick look at your first guitar chords

Most beginners start with simple chords like G Major and C Major. Once you can change between these smoothly, you’re already on the way to playing dozens of well-known songs. Your tutor will:

Show you exact finger positions slowly and clearly
Help you get a clean sound from each string
Build up simple strumming patterns at your own pace

You don’t need to be able to read music to start. You can learn with chord diagrams, listening and copying, then add note-reading later if you wish.

Why Start With Beginner Piano?

The piano is often called the “master instrument” because it helps you see and understand how music works. The layout of white and black keys makes it easier for learners to understand high and low notes, chords and melodies in a clear, visual way. This is especially useful for younger children who benefit from something they can see and touch easily.

Why do so many families choose the piano first?

Clear, visual layout – Easy for children to understand patterns and pitch.
Strong music foundation – Great for learning to read music and understanding how songs are built.
Works for all styles – Classical, pop, film music, worship, jazz, R&B and more.
Perfect for adults too – Many adult beginners and “returners” choose piano as a relaxing, enjoyable hobby.
Ideal for exams – Piano works very well with graded exams from ABRSM, Trinity and Rockschool.

How do we introduce reading music on the piano

We keep things simple and friendly, especially for younger pupils:

We start with Middle C, the “home base” in the middle of the keyboard
We use memorable phrases to learn the lines and spaces on the music staff
We mix playing by ear (copying simple tunes) with reading, so learners don’t feel overwhelmed

National organisations such as ABRSM and Music Mark highlight that a good music education can support confidence, focus, and general learning, not just musical skills.

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Guitar vs Piano – Simple Comparison for Beginners

Here’s a friendly side-by-side view to help you decide:

Feature	Beginner Guitar	Beginner Piano
Time to first recognisable song	Very fast – often within the first few lessons	Fast, but usually after a bit more note-reading
Music theory foundation	Good (can be built gradually)	Very strong – layout makes the theory easier to see
Portability	High – take it anywhere	Low – piano/keyboard stays in one place
Cost to start	Lower – basic guitar is affordable	Medium – a decent keyboard is a little more investment
Reading music	Optional at first – many start with chords and tabs	More central long-term, especially if doing graded exams
Styles	Pop, rock, indie, worship, metal, acoustic, blues	Classical, pop, film, jazz, worship – almost everything
Typical starting age	Around 6+ (or slightly older for smaller hands)	Around 5+ for most children
Best for	Fast song-playing, bands, jamming with friends	Solid foundation, reading music, wide style range

Pro Music Tip: You Can Change or Add Later

You’re not locked in forever.

Many pupils start with piano to build a strong foundation, then add guitar later for bands and songwriting.
Others begin on guitar because it feels exciting and social, then add piano when they want to write their own music or study it in more depth.

If you’re still unsure, our team can help you decide during a free taster lesson for children under 15.

Learn to play the Piano and Guitar with Pro Music

FAQs about Guitar vs Piano for Beginners

Below are six of the questions we’re asked most often by families comparing beginner guitar and piano lessons.

Is guitar or piano easier for a complete beginner?

There’s no single “easiest” instrument; it depends on the person, but there are some helpful general points:

Guitar often feels easier if:

You mainly want to strum chords and sing along
You’re excited about bands, gigs and songwriting
You’re less interested (at least at first) in reading traditional music notation

Piano often feels easier if:

You like things to be visually clear and organised
You’d enjoy seeing the notes go up and down directly on the keyboard
You’re happy to start reading music earlier in your journey

At Pro Music, we’ve seen children and adults succeed on both instruments, regardless of age or previous experience. Our tutors structure lessons so that you get quick wins (like simple songs and patterns) while slowly building important skills like counting, listening and hand coordination.

What age can my child start guitar or piano lessons?

At Pro Music Tuition, we typically recommend:

• Piano/Keyboard: from around 5 years old
• Guitar: from around 6–7 years old, depending on hand size and concentration span.

For younger children, the piano is often a great first choice because:

• The keys are easy to press
• There’s no stretching or finger pain
• They can see patterns and respond well to simple songs and games

For slightly older children, the guitar can be brilliant once they:

• Can focus for 20–30 minutes
• Have hands big enough to reach around the guitar neck
• Are motivated by bands, rock songs or learning with friends

If you’re not sure whether your child is ready, our kids’ music pages include more guidance and options for starting gently. Read more at Kids’ Music Lessons.

Do I need to own an instrument before starting lessons?

Short answer: No, not straight away.

For both guitar and piano:

We can provide instruments at the music school during your lessons.
Many families like to try a few lessons first (often using our free child taster) before buying anything.

When you are ready to buy:

For guitar, a reasonably priced beginner acoustic or electric is usually enough to start.
For piano, a touch-sensitive digital keyboard with full-size keys is fine for most beginners.

Your tutor will happily give independent advice on what to look for and what to avoid, so you don’t overspend or end up with something that holds you back.

Contact Pro Music to book a Guitar or Piano Lesson near you.

Can Pro Music help with piano or guitar exams (ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool)?

Yes, absolutely. Pro Music prepares students for a range of UK-recognised exam boards, including ABRSM, Trinity and Rockschool, in both piano and guitar. These graded exams are widely respected and cover:

Performance pieces
Scales and technical work
Listening skills (aural tests)
Sight-reading or improvisation, depending on the board

ABRSM alone delivers hundreds of thousands of exams a year worldwide, with syllabuses designed to inspire and challenge learners of all ages.

At Pro Music Tuition, we’re very careful not to push every learner into exams:

Some students love working towards grades.
Others prefer playing for enjoyment, writing songs or focusing on band skills.

We’ll talk to you about your goals and suggest a route that fits. If grades are right for you or your child, we’ll plan lessons in a structured, friendly way so exams feel achievable, not scary.

Do you offer online guitar and piano lessons as well as in-person?

Yes, we teach both in-person and live online every week. Our seven music schools across Birmingham and the Black Country offer face-to-face lessons in guitar, piano and more. We also teach hundreds of pupils online, using platforms such as Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp or Facebook.

Online lessons are ideal if:

You live further away, but still want a Pro Music tutor
You prefer not to travel or have a tight schedule
You’re an adult learner who wants to pick up guitar or piano from home after work

Our online teaching follows the same structured, friendly approach as our in-person lessons. Many families even mix the two, online during busy weeks, in-person during school holidays or quieter periods.

You can read more about how online and adult lessons work at Adult Music Lessons.

How often should beginners practise, and how long until we see progress?

The good news is: little and often works best, especially for beginners. For most new guitar or piano students at Pro Music, we recommend 10–15 minutes a day for younger children. And 20–30 minutes a day, a few times a week, for older children and adults. National bodies such as Music Mark and the UK’s National Plan for Music Education highlight that regular practice helps build not just musical skills, but also confidence, discipline and focus, all of which support wider learning and wellbeing.

With consistent practice and weekly lessons, many beginners can:

Play simple songs within the first month or two
Notice real improvement in hand coordination and timing
Start feeling comfortable performing a short piece for family or friends

At Pro Music, we also run student concerts several times a year, giving pupils the chance to perform in a friendly, supportive setting. And send regular progress notes, so parents and learners know exactly how things are going.

Book a Guitar or Piano Lesson near you with Pro Music Tuition.

Where Can I Learn Guitar or Piano with Pro Music?

We offer guitar lessons for children and adults across our music at our schools in Rubery (Birmingham), Solihull (Olton), Sutton Coldfield (Boldmere), Wolverhampton, Walsall (Aldridge), Cradley Heath (near Halesowen), West Bromwich and Rowley Regis. We also have hundreds of pupils who learn online on live video with us from all over the world each week. We provide personalised one-to-one tuition for piano for all ages and abilities in Rubery (Birmingham), Solihull (Olton), Sutton Coldfield (Boldmere), Wolverhampton, Walsall (Aldridge), Cradley Heath (near Halesowen) and Rowley Regis. With specialist support available for children with special educational needs. Lessons are flexible, and all of our teachers are DBS checked and trained to grade 8 or degree level, and many teachers are also trained as school teachers.

We’re proud to have over 500 five-star Google reviews, reflecting the care, consistency and friendly atmosphere our tutors create for every learner

Taster Piano and Guitar Lessons with Pro Music

Why Choose Pro Music Tuition?

Highly qualified, DBS-checked tutors
Lessons in vocal, guitar, piano, drums, and violin
Support for formal music exams (ABRSM, Trinity, RSL)
Inclusive teaching for children with additional needs
Multiple locations, seven schools across the West Midlands
Online lessons available
Free trial for new students under 15
Friendly, supportive, and tailored teaching approach

Ready to Choose, Guitar or Piano?

Whether you’re leaning towards beginner guitar lessons or beginner piano lessons, the most important step is simply getting started.

To take the next step:

Explore Music Lessons for an overview of what we offer
Look at Guitar Lessons or Piano Lessons for more details
Check Kids Music Lessons if you’re deciding on a child

Or, if you’d like us to help you decide in person:

If you’re still unsure, book a free taster lesson for children under 15 and let your child try guitar or piano with one of our friendly tutors. Whichever instrument you choose, our team at Pro Music Tuition is here to make those first notes fun, encouraging and inspiring, and to support you every step of the way.