Beginner: Song or Exercise.

[4hisglory]

For beginners, would you sugguest start learning a song or do exercises?

[BassbyGrace]

Actually the two can go hand in hand.  Say you learn the first 4 fingered notes on an open string.  That can be reinforced by teaching "Mary Had a Little Lamb" which can be played in that one position.  Its good to keep a balance so that way as you learn the technical, youre also learning how to apply it in a musical context.   

[dhagler]

I agree.  Learning a song, particularly one for which you have the music, improves your sight reading.  My 9-year-old takes piano and I practice along with her, which helps my timing as well.