>>Good point. Beethoven would have liked Bird.
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>>Actually, I think Beethoven would have liked Lester Young.
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>>Franz Liszt would have LOVED Bird. Two mega-virtuosos....
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>>At one point, I played piano enough to play some classical pieces - but could never play Liszt. Even though I can verbalize every note from some of his solos, his pace is too maddening for me to even attempt to play.
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>Just think of it as a generic Liszt (rimshot).
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>Do you have Katy slotted for a particular musical expertise? Kinda joking, not completely, going back to the discussion the other day about shaping children to parents' POVs. FWIW -- and I sense you don't want my parenting advice, which is fine -- my advice is let her be exposed to all kinds of things and follow what she likes. When my (our) daughters were little they did the whole array. Music lessons, ballet, soccer, skating, probably some I'm forgetting, Allie took clarinet and saxophone and Emily took piano for several years, including a severe Russian emigre teacher and some recitals before she got bored with it. I don't regret any of it. This is sincere advice in two parts: 1) Let her try many, many things. 2) Let her decide what she feels a passion for. Knowing you (some) I am sure she will be passionate. Have faith in that and respect it.
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>OK, I'll shut up now. We find our own way as parents and I I know you will, too.

Haley took piano lessons. that was our deal. Once she knew the basics (at least a year), she could decide if she wanted to continue or not. I felt it was important to be able to read sheet music and be familiar with musical instruments. In my family there has always been a love of music and we often had jam sessions at our house when I was growing up. She also did a year with violin lessons and in the end, was very glad that she took those lessons. It paid off in many ways. She won't ever go on to a career in music, but she will always appreciate it.