BILLY COLLINS, PIANO LESSONS — My teacher... tells me... every scale has a shape/ and I have to learn to hold/ each... in my hands./ I practice with my eyes closed./ C is an open book./ D is a vase with two handles./ G flat is a black boot./ E has the legs of a bird.
| A. | "Magnificat" composer | BACH |
| B. | What Nabokov called "svelte stilettos of a frozen stillicide" | ICICLES |
| C. | Marshal, sheriff or constable | LAWMAN |
| D. | Romantic pursuits (2 wds.) | LOVELIFE |
| E. | Sad song first recorded on June 14, 1965 | YESTERDAY |
| F. | Musical piece typically played with two fingers | CHOPSTICKS |
| G. | Show including the song "I Cain't Say No" | OKLAHOMA |
| H. | Specialty of W. S. Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan | LYRICS |
| I. | Roue's less-than-noble quality | LECHERY |
| J. | Filled with animalistic ardor (2 wds.) | INHEAT |
| K. | Messed around instrumentally | NOODLED |
| L. | Gun duel at high noon, for example | SHOWDOWN |
| M. | Garden plots; electrical connections; pieces of cloth with military insignia | PATCHES |
| N. | Ignore the score? | IMPROVISE |
| O. | Group with the #1 country hit "Love in the First Degree" | ALABAMA |
| P. | Ancient Arab kingdom whose capital was Petra | NABATEA |
| Q. | "Awake and Sing!" dramatist, 1935 | ODETS |
| R. | Start of a trick | LEAD |
| S. | Key count for the author of this puzzle's quotation (hyph.) | EIGHTYEIGHT |
| T. | Female soloist with the multiplatinum albums "Diamond Life" and "Promise" | SADE |
| U. | 1971 Oscar-winning song with the line "Shut your mouth!" | SHAFT |
| V. | Side of a coin that bears the principal stamp | OBVERSE |
| W. | Detroit of "Guys and Dolls" | NATHAN |
| X. | Quire members | SHEETS |