I'm pretty much with ya here and for the reasons you mention... I agree... but admit that I could be wrong. I don't play either. One addendum... you can play a semi-chord on a Violin, (not really 'semi' is IS a chord but just fewer strings, (notes), involved). Hoedowners do it all the time... as do others but I think in hoedown the most.
I don't think I'm really qualified to 'rate' the drums... precisely because I play the drums... and it pretty much comes naturally for me so it's quite possible I underestimate the difficulty of playing them. But I stand by my opinion... one of the easiest to learn.
I think Violin gets picked most by so called 'experts' because of the historical record more than actual 'facts'. (that's only my opinion of course). Up until 'rock' I believe more people worked, slaved, on playing the violin, (and keyboards), more than other instruments... so yeah... they probably DID achieve a somewhat higher level of expertise.
But today... what? almost 70 years since the guitar became King? Today think guitar players have reached, and even perhaps surpassed, that 'historical' advantage of Violin/Keyboard players. - JamesJM
