Introduction

As a piano tuner with over 20 years of experience, I have recently begun recommending the violin to children. While the piano undoubtedly remains an indispensable instrument in music education, I have come to believe that the violin may be more suitable for early childhood music education.

In this article, I will compare the piano and violin from three perspectives to explain why I recommend the violin:

1. Characteristics as instruments
2. Musical aspects
3. Historical background

1. Characteristics as Instruments

Size Diversity

Violins come in seven different sizes, ranging from 1/16 to 4/4 (full size), allowing children to change instruments as they grow. In contrast, pianos generally come in only one size.

Ease of Handling Range

With a violin, one can play a two-octave scale within the span of a hand. On a piano, covering the same range requires moving across a distance equivalent to two adult hand spans.

Sound Accuracy and Training

While a piano produces accurate notes simply by pressing keys, a violin requires training to produce accurate sounds. Through this process, violinists tend to develop better ear training.

Instrument Understanding

Violinists often have more opportunities to maintain and adjust their instruments, leading to a deeper understanding of the instrument itself.

2. Musical Aspects

Ensemble Experience

The violin offers more opportunities for ensemble playing, allowing musicians to gain experience playing with other instruments. This tends to cultivate the ability to listen to music as a whole.

Expressive Diversity

Violins offer expressive techniques not available on the piano, such as vibrato and gradual volume increases. Familiarity with these techniques can change how one listens to and understands music.

Sheet Music Readability

Violin sheet music typically uses a single staff, containing less information compared to piano sheet music with its two staves. This can be less overwhelming for beginners.

3. Historical Background

Shifting Perceptions of Instrument Value

Historically, pianos were considered expensive instruments, while violins were more accessible to the general public. However, this perception has reversed since the post-war economic growth led to the widespread adoption of pianos.

Changes in Music Education

After World War II, music schools operated by instrument manufacturers became a catalyst for piano popularization. Subsequently, the introduction of electronic pianos made them even more accessible.

Conclusion

Considering the instrument characteristics, musical aspects, and historical background, the violin appears to be well-suited for early childhood music education. However, the piano remains essential for in-depth musical study. Starting with the violin may allow children to develop a deeper musical understanding before approaching the piano, potentially leading to a greater appreciation of the piano’s value.

As an approach to music education, we might consider starting with the violin before progressing to the piano. This could enable children to develop a more multifaceted understanding and enjoyment of music.

We hope that you will find this new perspective helpful when considering your child’s music education.