In the past, why did the patriarchy pressure girls and women to learn piano rather than chess?

[Boojatta]

When the most practical way to produce high quality music was through live performance using sheet music, piano playing skill had more commercial application than chess playing skill. For example, pianos were used to accompany silent movies. Before there was a commercially significant audience for silent movies, piano music was used to accompany dancing classes, and other dancing.

Why would patriarchal authorities want women to have skills for earning money? Wouldn't that tend to reduce a married woman's financial dependence upon her "bread-winning" husband?

[MineralMan]

1. Because the accordian had not been invented at that time.

[MH1]

2. another way she could be entertaining at dinner parties?

[Fresh_Start]

3. Woman were supposed to entertain the guests

of the family by performing appropriate female skills like piano and recitation.

[ZombieHorde]

4. I don't know but I feel a poll approaching.

[Boojatta]

6. Does it feel like an entertaining poll or a dull poll?

[ZombieHorde]

7. Probably dull, but maybe I will get a surprise. Here it is...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x9063223

[CJCRANE]

5. I don't know, why did they? You tell me.

[zbdent]

8. "Boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses ..."

conservative thinking likely held that smart women were too smart to be quiet ...

[Captain Hilts]

9. Women did not play for money. Clara Schumann was unusual. They didn't want women in

competitive enterprises, such as Chess, which is related to warfare.