Actually, I do make my living with my instrument.I teach Choral music in the public schools. I have been a church organist for 30 years. I have an album out on which I play my fiddle (date scratched on back by my 3rd Great Grand. 1823), concertina (anglo), guitar (1999 Martin D 28), and mandolin (Martin 1960). I own a Bauer 5 foot grand piano, and a studio piano (Wurlitzer). The 5 foot Baldwin is in the living room with my string bass. I perform on Naill Bagpipes in our local band. I own 4 tin whistles. My husband is the competition bass drummer, my son is a scottish snare drummer. We have bodhrains and dejembes, shakeres and all manner of shaken and rattled instruments. I have a baritone ukelele -plays just like the guitar. And an old diatonic C squeeze box that was traded to a Ship's Chandler in Baltimore in the 1800's. Each of the instuments are performed on in public. Am I making a living with this?. . . . Just barely. But I am having lots of fun.