Lo Graham,

Well, I was learning from a coursebook just to get the basic chords, but once I had learnt those I got fed up with it and just started imitating what I heard on records (it's not laziness, it's called the artistic temperament!) But my coursebook just has very basic stuff on tuning the guitar to a piano (which I don't have.) Looks like a pitch pipe would be a VERY good idea! Thanks for the tip about a soft case, it might well be a possibility. The only problem is that the house is so small that generally the only place to put a guitar is leaning against a wall somewhere, where people and cats knock it over.

Speaking of cats, has anyone had a cat show interest in a guitar? I've got an Egyptian Mau (neurotic breed which used to chase ducks in Ancient Egypt --very intelligent) who watched me playing very intently one day. When I came back into the room I found him plucking the strings with his claws, looking very puzzled.

Cheers,

Isabel