Hi Rap and anybody else--


That's interesting about your fingers knowing the right positions. I had something similar. I play viola--therefore had to read the viola (alto) clef. Last time I played viola in a classical setting, I found the alto clef came back to me. But when I tried to read it without having the instrument in my hands, I found I couldn't read it. (Of course now it's been so long I'm afraid I couldn't read it at all. But I suppose you never know.) These days I play bluegrass and country viola--which consists of making up the harmony as you go along. It's great fun--and amazingly well appreciated.

I really like the trumpet--everything from Dixieland to the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. And sopranino--ever play that? Evidently lots of Baroque music for sopranino.   And valveless trumpet. Can they really do all the notes just by changing the configuration of the lips?