English Jon, your comment hits a little close to home, as I started out playing musical saw on the streets many years ago. To venture forth as I did with my new found instrument took courage. I certainly didn't have anywhere near the ability I possess today. I was fortunate that while making my many mistakes I was able to laugh at myself and folks were kind enough to laugh along in a supportive way. It made the learning process go a lot easier for me. We all have to start somewhere in our explorations. There's a huge price to pay if you're a beginner trying to master any instrument. The criticism of some folks can easily crush the spirit of young budding talents. We should all strive to support those making their first attempts into this musical realm. The musical saw is a fearsome instrument to master especially for those just starting out. If you play a guitar you might end up with a little blister on your finger, but should you slip while flexing razor sharp spring steel betwixt your knees, well, let's just say it can get real messy. ;)

Here in the upper left corner of the USA I've seen every conceivable permutation of the pan pipe band configuration. It does, at times, seem like the influx of so many of these bands is some kind of an evil plague across the land. I doubt street musicians from this neck of the woods, myself included, could florish as well if they(I) were to make a quest to the Andes, even though one of these groups told me that the folks in Ecuador would love my saw playing.

The most recent example of the many variations of these bands that I've seen was the kari-yucky version described above, where a solo player was playing through a PA system along with his song track. Yes, it was too loud and the PA was pointed right at the area I was hanging in at this garage sale/swapmeet. He had a table full of CDs that he was selling. He was talented, but after a while, at that volume, I was wishing that he would have considered turning down his PA. His PA gear was a top of the line Mackie setup with speakers and power output that was over the top given that particular situation. I don't know how he was able to afford the gear as he didn't seem to make that many sales. I sometimes go into the music stores to gawk and drool at all the new stuff they're coming out with. I know that I can't afford to go out and drop several thousand dollars on all those goodies. Hmmm? Maybe I should take up the pan pipes?

Saw ya in the future