I would really love for the Bug to have the same opportunity, so I've already started thinking about the fact that I want a house I can fit a piano in someday. We apparently have some Suzuki Method instructors around here, but I've often wondered if I could manage to give her lessons on my own, at least to start. I'd need to brush up a little bit on theory, but there are so many resources out there. I even found Piano lessons & piano chords online. With that kind of resource I'm sure I could get her started and brush up myself. I'm sure listening to a new music student is a little rough on the ears, but I know I'm owed some payback for what I put my parents through (the trumpet especially), though eventually I got pretty good. Playpiano.com looks like it would be a good addition to basic, dry music theory and practice. I remember doing scales endlessly, and I think sometimes it's frustrating for new students to go through all that when all they want to do is play a song. I'm a big believer in learning the fundamentals (and music reading) first, but why not learn some fun (and useful) stuff along the way?

Who knows, maybe despite my best efforts to have a daughter who plays piano and takes tae kwon do lessons I'll end up with a flute-playing ballerina cheerleader, but as long as she's doing something I'll be happy.

You know, you can get electric 88-key pianos, or synthesizers. Jim, the guy at the party, has one of those on a stand. Takes up very little space, and can be put away if necessary. He taught or is teaching himself how to play.

Did you know that at different times in my life I played flute, took ballet and was a cheerleader? You butch band geeks are always so pissed off... :)

Jesse: on the synthesizers; yeah, our friends have one for their kids too, but there's just something I love about a real piano.

Abbe: I think you had mentioned all those things. My best friend from high school is an ex-cheerleader (before I met her in her latter, dead-head high school days) and I pick on her incessantly. I went to a small high school where cheerleaders were horrible "Heathers"-type people, and I'm still bitter about the fact that my parents didn't make me do any sports when I was really little, resulting in me being an out-of-shape weakling in my formative years. I have indulged in a bit of overcompensation as an adult. :)

I play flute (high five to Abbe) *and* took piano lessons from a sax playing cheerleader.

I would also love to own a real piano some day.