Wow! What a lot of wonderful responses. I vote for both — music first and long enough to be able to do something well on the piano.  Basics of music are required for becoming proficient. This transfers to other instruments. . .always an option. They say being able to read is the minimum requirement for piano lessons.  Unless a child is obviously gifted and plays tunes with no help at an earlier age, you would do well to start the children right away. Yes, there are change outs which can make lessons ‘free’ so to speak. But most piano teachers make their living that way. You may find one who writes some music for her/his students in order to keep the cost down. . . but if you are really strapped and cannot afford piano for your kids, there is sure to be a God-provision if you ask Him. He is One who desires the music of our hearts to be presented in a skillful way — and everyone should have a channel of expression of God-praise.  Piano lessons open the door to that aspect of our living as Christ-followers and worshipers.

Art is such a delight if it is something a child has a gift for.  Basic art appreciation is easily taught by parents with a few efforts at museum trips and nature drive with sketchbook in hand. . . You will soon know if your child sees creatively.  Developing latent ability is enhanced by visits to the public library.  Take home all the books on art adventures you can find.  Let them look at the art of various types of artists.  Soap sculpturing is fun  if you want to experiment with hand dexterity. Water color sets give kids a chance to do the ‘fill the paper with color’ experimentation.  The various hand made color medium which are good for applying color to large pieces of paper the size of a refrig — will tell you if there is a natural instinct to make a design — or if there is merely the fun of texture and color mixture.  I find our granddaughter ends up with purple and black impressionistic objects all over any paper before she is through with liquid medium.  She enjoys the mixing of colors but none of the creation of any recognizable forms.  Therefore I would say she is not gifted in art. . . but neither would I say some of the most famous artists in impressionistic and modern art stylings are gifted — but someone bought “Yellow band”  and “Red Glob” and other such ‘dynamic’ works done by someone who had to be related to the curator at the art museum. Otherwise, I doubt anyone would have ever hung such elementary ‘design’ as something to be emulated. 

Of course, every one has their own thoughts about it. 

As Christ-followers, we are easily led by the Spirit in matters of choosing for our children. He gives us wisdom as parents to keep open all the options He may desire for our children.  Free expression of ideas is one of them.  The mechanics should be taught early as a fun experience so enjoyment of the arts — music and artistic expression — are not made to be some drudgery, but something enjoyed. . . diligent practice for piano makes for gifted pianists.  Choose a teacher who is very patient but firm with children. Otherwise you may destroy any desire for musical expression if the teacher does not handle children well. 

At least this is my experience.  All our children had piano AND art in their public school experience.  We also gave them all piano lessons as long as they were willing to practice — through junior high age.  At that age, sports took over for our son. He is still a musician — sings with his wife in public performance. Our oldest daughter loves to sing — but uses her music only in fun settings as an adult. Our middle daughter can play piano and sing a little — loves great music. Our youngest still sits down at the piano (grand) when she comes and plays through choir books and piano books. She sang in college with Voices of Lee. . and can play piano for herself as needed. . .but not for performance.  She sings in worship groups.

These same brilliant children use Art in many ways.  David uses his art ability in graphics and photography.  He was taken to the Art Museum when he was young — exposed to all kinds of canvas work. . .etc. Deb uses her art ability in the many areas of creative expression required in managing the Limited stores across the country — the design and layout of the stores, the presentation of colorful clothing, the textured presentations against the textured displays, the backgrounds for the window settings, the input into marketing choices, etc., etc. She is the most gifted in art expression — the most developed skills, I should say.

Our middle daughter uses her art in the choosing of accommodations for an airlines when they are opening up a new market someplace in the world.  A good eye for pleasing decor and the accompaniments which make for rest and relaxation are essential for housing the flight crews.  The choice of hotel will come partially because of the way they present their hospitality.  Art appreciation is part of that training which our daughter has had.  She would not think she is artistic. . . but I have purposely tried to create pleasing combinations in our home and table settings — coordinating colors and textures in a pleasant way.  After a while, your choices become instinctive. . .if you have been exposed to variety in all fields of art expression.  Amazing how much of our lives is called ‘art’.

Our youngest is firmly fixed in a world of people moving — but does have highly developed art skills — in the sense of making choices along the lines of pleasing combinations.  Her wardrobe and home are often limited by her income limitations — but given a choice, she is governed by highly developed artistic appreciation. . . perhaps too much so.  But, she always is put together and chooses pleasing combinations in her life — whether it is for herself, her home and her business. Creating ads and organizing the offices and attracting customers is part of her world at the moment. . . all of which are influenced by artistic skills somewhat.  The eye for proper design in ad work or even in Internet creations come from the ability to spot various color and form complements and contrasts. 

Amazing how artistic our family really is. . .but none of us could sell a painting.. . If that is what you are looking for.

I have received compensation for playing piano and organ. I have never received a penny for my art work. . .unless it would be that I helped paint some church and parsonage rooms — and perhaps Jesus will someday reward us for volunteer labors. . .

Sorry about the space. . . But I do have quite a family of artists and musicians, after all.  And none of them knew how to do it when they were born. . .but developing their God-given abilities is our responsibility.  The local library and various agencies in the community will list many free opportunities for such things.  Classes by individuals or stores or local universities often lead you to those who teach. . . some willing to give lessons for a small fee if the need is obvious.  You might get in on a class put on by a craft store. . . .by some art product company. . .and the local concert hall will usually have some free musical offerings for kids through the year.

There is a ton of stuff online for school teachers which you will have access to, I am sure. Nuff said. . . .

Go for the music!! Piano! The kids could paint a keyboard for an art project and write out the names of the notes. . . Double duty. . . A grand piano is always more fun than an electronic keyboard. . .but don’t overlook the options of electronic music…something is better than nothing.  Purists would say no to electronic. . .they would say never! But starting with a pure instrument like the piano is the best way to begin something requiring nothing more than a stool that is high enough.  Use phone books if you must. . . but get the posture and hand position right before letting them develop bad habits on a regular basis.  You COULD learn to teach piano with some online help. . . if you have any music background.  You could show the basics. . . I am sure. Piano books are very easy to find. . .and beginning lessons are so simple anyone could help. But very soon, you should slip into a great teacher to give a great start to a great life of musical expresssion.

Art is an implement of expression which can go so many directions — but hand and eye skills are needing development in the process. . .the mind comes along and becomes more highly developed as music and art are taught properly. The discipline of the arts is essential to expanded expressions later in life. The refinement of human behavior often comes with the attention to detail. . . a commodity which is missing in today’s kids so often.  Appreciation for God’s world, the intricate details, is enhanced by training in the arts (music included). Giving optical skills to children comes through both music and art. . . Manual dexterity is increased greatly by piano. Keyboard speed on the computer will increase as speed increases in piano scales, etc. Thinking Fingers is a great book for learning piano dexterity.

What a great way to develop musicians who can give expression of the great themes of God’s Word and also create visuals which meet the need of humans to see what God’s Word really means in ordinary living. Every expression of visual facts requires some form of art.  Every expression of audio facts requires some form of musical skill and math understanding — although you may not realize it. God must delight to see a child begin to learn the skills required to someday become a David  — the Psalter — or a John who painted word pictures of His very Presence . . . obviously aware of things that a non-artist would not have noticed.  (Gotta stop this!!) Bye.