> I'm sorry. You should know none of us really mean it. It's been my experience that violists have some of the more likeable personalities. Viola is around my second choice currently, out of all the instruments I could easily find lessons for, to learn. Not counting violin. [It's right behind cello and right in front of piano and harp.] If there was any way for me to learn, say, tin whisles or penny whistles or other predominently Irish instruments, it might be moved back a little, but that is very, very unlikely so I don't count it.

I have good news for you. The tin whistle is something you don't NEED to learn. It is the easiest instrument in the world, with the possible exception of the triangle. That's my experience, anyway. Just buy one (they're way cheap) and get a book to show you the fingering for each note. It's virtually identical to a recorder but easier, and you don't have to worry about changing key. If you want to play something that's in a different key, just fork out another $5 for a tin whistle in that key. All the good tunes are in D major anyway.

Brunnen-"one C major, one D major, half a book photocopied from the library ... total outlay about $30 ... I wish other instruments could be learned this way"G