Which do you think has been the more powerful in contributing to the human condition?

Please cite performance examples, history, anything you can think of. You Tube clips of outstanding performances.

I almost included drums in this poll.

Chris, I looked at this from the standpoint of being influential in the historical development of music over hundreds of years. The violin would likely be my selection, although the piano of course played an important role and of the two choices you offered, I voted for it.

I'm basing my choice on my belief that music was/is a major contributor, in a very positive sense, to the human condition. I was a guitarist, but there is no doubt in my mind that, of the two, the piano was/is the major influence.

Lamp,

Interesting idea for a poll, but you left out what is perhaps the greatest musical instrument of all -- the human voice.

Regards,
Alan

Excluding the human voice , what about the earliest stringed instruments from which all other ones(guitar, violin...) originated, such as the lyre. Heck, a piano is a stringed instrument when you think about it. In modern history, the electrification of the guitar is a biggie...much influential music was performed on them esp thru the 50's, 60's and 70's. Of course, in very modern history you should look no further than auto tuning, the greatest thing to happen to people with no singing talent.

Alan,
I thought about that for a long time! We can can argue about it in Manhattan over pizza!!!!!!

I voted for guitar. I think it is amazing what one person and one guitar can do. I believe they can change the world.

According to Wikipedia:



I think the piano represents that last one well, what with its crushing of heads as a cartoon gag. Also, who hasn't been strangled with piano wire?

But of course the game was Guitar Hero, not Piano Hero.

Auto-tune.

+1

However, I did choose the guitar.

The violin never crossed my mind. I think that is because of how I fit into the world.

Case in point: The pentatonic scale

Could lead to: This

Which brings me to the instrument I feel has the greatest emotion-evoking potential of them all: The Cello In fact this was one of my reference songs for the double blind test we participated in at the 30th Anniversary Party.

Scott, I certainly agree that the cello, with its wide range sometimes said to closely match the human voice, can produce beautiful and highly emotional music from the pens of masters.

I note especially the gorgeous Dvorak Cello Concerto which I've recommended here several times.

Guitar. A much more versatile instrument than the Piano. Piano over guitar for historical influence, but guitar, especially electric for evolution of music.

Electric Guitar for the modern era.

For me, nothing is more versatile sound wise except perhaps a synthesizer...

TAM