If you learned the piano, is it true that you can play the guitar?

Not even close.
On a Piano, each note has its own key, whereas on a guitar different notes have to be done by modifying existing notes through changing the tension and effective length of the strings with your other hand.

No. But you have a knowledge of music theory and that might get you some of the way. I learned the guitar first, but I find that visualizing the piano is better for music theory. The handwork is very different in the two instruments, though.

That’d be like hitting a cow’s arse with a banjo, not on the same page.
I’d love to be able to play the piano, great sound when done right.

I taught myself how to play the guitar. I think that knowing how to play the piano definitely benefited me. You have a lot of control of your hands when playing the piano, and that seemed to carry through to the guitar. With a basic understanding of music theory as well, playing the guitar and figuring out chords was also easier, so that’s another advantage. This website also has a lot of chords.

Big tip—> When you barre chords, use the side of your index finger (the side facing your thumb) where your finger is jellier.

I also had taken piano lessons years before I taught myself how to play a guitar. I think that understanding cord structure made learning to play the guitar easier. Good luck with your endeavor.

All of western music is based on the piano, so you have the basis of learning any instrument you want. The main thing you would be learning is technique. Learn the fingerings for scales and chord patterns, and with your piano background and the ear training that comes with it you should be in a good spot!

Guitar is the easiest instrument to learn and the hardest to master. You will be able to play well enough to strum chords and sing along fairly quickly but it will take hard work and dedication to play like a rocks tar.

The skills don’t really transfer. They are very different instruments. The general music knowledge will help.

What the hands and muscles do are very different. The knowledge of music theory and the ear training are invaluable.

The guitar has the happy advantage of being a lot more portable than a piano.

If you play Piano you still have to learn the technicalities of each individual instrument, but the solid musical foundation of Piano really does make learning other instruments a breeze. The hardest part about music is learning a new language (note reading, theory etc.). Piano really is the way to learn that according to my experience. Then the only thing you have to do to learn a new instrument once you know the basics is the application of the musical language and how to execute the music according the individual instrument. (Not saying that isn’t hard work.)

Many people who “learn” to play guitar can never move much beyond the basics because they only learn chords from tab. If you learn piano, or take some classical guitar you won’t be held back from whatever you may want to pursue.

Ultimately, practice efficiently and have fun! =)

Yes, @kimchi, you will find a second instrument relatively easy to play, especially if you have training in the first. To be really proficient you will have to work at it. To encourage you, think of all the professional musicians you know of: you will find very few who play only one instrument. Performance majors require proficiency in at least two. Go for it.

It makes things easier – helps with coordination.

I play piano and I think guitar is hard lol. It hurts my finger tips!

@chelle21689 It takes some time to develop callouses on your fingertips so they don’t hurt when you press the strings on the fretboard.

My first instrument was accordion, specifically, the “piano-accordion”, or the one with the keys on the right side rather than buttons. The left side still has buttons, and a player is required to locate the correct buttons by touch. I had put the accordion away for several years while I concentrated on the guitar. When I picked the squeeze box up again, I had to make adjustments to how the left side of the accordion would “feel” in order to play it correctly

@chelle21689 Wait for the calluses and then you’ll be fine. Even the hand I use to strum is getting rough on the fingertips from plucking. I played way too much when I started, so my fingers bled.