Piano lessons before cello lessons?

[Thoushallnotbreak]

My daughter has just turned 7 and would like to start music lessons. She would eventually like to learn both piano and cello. Would it be advisable to learn the piano and learn to read music before starting cello lessons maybe a year later?

Starting one at a time is good, but I don't think it matters too much which order. Piano you have to cope with both clefs, cello is physically trickier. You'll get to a tune quicker with piano.

If she's much keener on one than the other, or if you know of a teacher who is great with little ones, go with that.

My DD plays both. We didn't start both together but there wasn't much of a gap, probably only about 6 months in the end. Tbh I can't even remember which she started first!!!! She'll
Progress really fast in one for a while, and the other takes a back seat and then it will switch again. Not by design! Piano definitely more instantly gratifying... but the earlier you get started on string instruments, the better imho.

I have one that started piano first and one that started other instrument first. I agree with pp that piano gets nice sound quicker - but after that it's hard because of reading two independent hands at once.

I think it's maybe easier to learn to read music with a single line instrument first. Also cello would mean she could join a string group or band which is more social and boosts reading, or take it in to school for show and tell etc. So if she's indifferent then I'd say maybe cello first.

Both of mine made very fast progress on their second instrument when they started it.