Mark Twain played piano (loudly and enthusiastically, though his wife might have wished for less of both qualities) and travelled with a Martin "2 1/2-7", a picture of which is over my desk. (The guitar, not Mr. Clemens, who is up on the same wall...) James Thurber loved to sing harmony, barbershop or some varient, especially "Bye, Bye, Blackbird", for some reason. Joshua L. Chamberlain, hero of Gettysburg, was a good double bass player. As observed, pre-radio, a good guest was expected to have a party piece, either a song, or a poem, or a memorized oration, to entertain the company with.