Susan A-R: I agree. I've known more good male pianists, esp. my brother, even though all four of us girls had piano lessons, too, and play pretty well. I, too, am grateful to've had the opportunity to fiddle, as well.

As for math, I know we cannot use generalizations, but I was really good at math, hated algebra and still amaze my kids with the math I do in my head. My husband, the enginer, whose head is always in the clouds, hasn't much of a musical bone/ability in his body, except a deep appreciation, no matter the gender of whoever is making the music!

As for girls: when we moved East, we found women who'd grown up there or emigrated there were in general, raised to be more demure and self-effacing, bowing out for the men to shine. On the other hand, as you may have figured out, being raised in the West, I remember always thinking I could do anything I wanted to, even what the boys did, and sometimes better than they. Don't think my older sisters felt this as much, but I was not afraid to shine and I DID take up the violin to impress a man....my dad!

All of which gets us no where nearer an answer to the original question....ah, well. It's, as always, interesting!

katlaughing