The first tune I play in the morning is "Catspaw's Rag"--actually, Fielding plays it, but my clock radio is set to bring it on...oh, you mean when I pick up an instrument...guitar, usually "Abilene" by Bob Gibson or Commander Cody's "Down to Seeds and Stems Again." A banjo tuned to G--as most in stores are--elicits either "My Grandfather's Clock" or "Redhaird Boy" or "Blackberry Blossom," usually clawhammer first, then as I get warm, three finger style.

To warm up the old harmonicas: diatonic straight harp: "Soldier's Joy"; diatonic cross harp, "The Wreck of the Old 97," diatonic third position (minor), "Wasn't That a Mighty Day." Lee Oskar Melody Maker, "Columbus Stockade Blues" or "Simple Gifts."

--seed