Hi Dave,

In primary school our teacher taught our class to play a plastic whistle thing called a Musette, so we learned how to read music (not the bass clef, though) and to play along with other people. In early high school I tried to learn guitar from a home-study instruction course, and although I could play chords, and was starting to work on finger-picking technique I never really knew exactly *what* I was doing or how chords & musical keys worked. Then, when I was in 2nd year of uni I bought a flute and tinkered about with that, mostly teaching myself.

When I bought the Celtic lever harp in 1980 I had no idea about the complexities of chords, keys, accompaniment, or how it all fitted together. I really wish that, rather than focusing on a melody instrument like the whistle & flute that I had learned at least the basics of the piano to start with, with the essential theory. I agree with what people have said about the piano: I began to see the big picture of how it all fits together when i started learning the harp - but the piano would have made it click so much better.

I still agree about choosing an instrument which your daughter likes to play, but the foundation which she can get from playing the piano can definitely translate into almost any other instrument.

Even if your daughter starts out with lessons on the keyboard you have and then moves on to the instrument of her choice when she has learned the basics then I think the investment of time & money will pay for itself in the long run.

Alternatively, find a guitar or violin teacher who is committed to teaching the fundamental theory and who is good at conveying that in a way which makes it interesting and meaningful.

Just my 2 Aussie cents worth.

Helen