In article , "Carl R. Stevenson"
writes:

Why should one be forced to learn to play the piano if what one REALLY
wants to do is to play one or more OTHER instruments?

Would there be ANY sense in a rule that said "You can't play any other
instrument, no matter how good you might be at it, unless you first
demonstrate
that you can play the piano proficiently." ???

I don't think so ...

Carl - wk3c

Carl:

*I* think so. When you learn the piano, you're dealing with chords virtualy
from the beginning. You learn more about key signatures, time signatures,
and the structure of harmony from learning the piano than you do with any
other instrument. Why do you think virtually all music is composed on
the piano (or modern electronic keyboards)? It is because the piano has
all the basics wrapped up in one instrument which is a bit more difficult
to learn, but does virtually as much as all the others combined. I started
with the clarinet, and quickly moved to the various types of saxophone
and the trombone. I could play the instruments well enough, but I never
had the general background in musical theory that all the piano players
had, regardless of which instrument they were playing at the time.
Therefore, I never became a Real Musician(tm) as a result. Piano is an
essential skill in music, and I firmly believe all musicians should start
on the piano and be tested in piano proficiency before being allowed to
move on to any other instrument -- which will be much easier as a result.

73 de Larry, K3LT