I think its important to remember that the first "instrument" for music was probably the voice. All through time, people have sung without playing an instrument along with the singing. Most people don't play instruments, but most people can sing, to some degree, anyway.

We've discussed work songs in past threads and this whole notion of keeping silent now that the work place is in public, in offices, no longer so much in fields, mines, forests, barns, ships, and homes. But, singing used to accompany work.

Last night on NPR radio, I was listening to a news report on the type of independent professional (like me and many of you) who work from a computer in a home office. The NPR staff then broke into "The e-works Song", "Logged on this morning, Got to do some consulting..."

I sing around my home while I work. I remember one of our discussions included people talking about whistling as they walked down the hallway at work, etc. I remember hearing alot of people singing in Mexico in markets and especially in Vera Cruz, a city of music, listening to the Coca-Cola delivery man singing as he unloaded his van.

Now I'll have to dig up that NPR song.

Alice