>>>>Good point. Beethoven would have liked Bird.
>>>>
>>>>Actually, I think Beethoven would have liked Lester Young.
>>>>
>>>>Franz Liszt would have LOVED Bird. Two mega-virtuosos....
>>>>
>>>>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.
>>>
>>>Just think of it as a generic Liszt (rimshot).
>>>
>>>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.
>>>
>>>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.
>
>It's really funny that you say that. Emily and I had a conversation about this exact topic on the way home from the train station yesterday. (Most days she is my chauffeur -- she drops me off and picks me up, and in return gets to drive herself to school like a BGOC <g>). I don't even remember how it came up but I said I am glad she knows how to play the piano, even though she no longer does. She said why, I don't even play any more. I said because you will always know how. I'm one of those guys who never wanted to take music lessons, just wanted to play ball, and have regretted it ever since.

So start now.

Through home education I became aware of John Holt. He taught himself the cello at 40.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Never_Too_Late:_My_Musical_Life_Story

OTOH I have been intending to earn the guitar for about 30 years now. :-(