>>>>>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. :-(

Maybe. This is no excuse, but everything I have read indicates it is a thousand times easier to learn music when you are young.

Of all the dumb impulsive purchases I have made in my life, probably the most impulsive was a Fender Mustang and Gorilla amp in 1984. I paid $450 for the set, including a guitar case. ("I got a Gibson without a case / But I can't get that even tanned look on my face" -- you know Who). The Mustang was not new but according to the dealer was from a classic year. It's still sitting in its case in the basement and I still can't play a chord. Way back I would thrash out some drunken chords like an ersatz guitar god before realizing how stupid I was being. I have had the recurring thought over the years that I should give it to some kid who can make proper use of it.

You may have heard The Who are playing at halftime of the Super Bowl in a couple weeks. I have always loved them, although I am ambivalent about 70 year old rockers. Isn't there someone more of the moment available?