WSHat a r8ichg load of good ideas. I couldn't offer a single one. At 86, my fingers are basically arthritis free. I don't kow how much longer that will last. If I can playi comfortably at 90 I will indeed be blessed. I will keep all thse suggestions, should I start to lose my strength and flexibility. Thanks so much.

With somne of my friends, and to some extent with me, I think it's a lack of getting together andc playing with other musicians. Playing in edw situations and combination of people stretches your mind as much as your fingers. It's hard to keep focused when you are always playing alone.

"There's nothing as long as a cold winter's night
And nothing as welcome as friends at the door
And nothing as useless as stories to tell
Or tunes to be played when there's no one to hear."
    JUst an OldFioddler - by Jerry Rasmussen