"By its very nature, the classical guitar elicits serenity. Its portability, its subdued voice, its predisposition to simple harmonies, and above all the physically intimate way the sound is produced, all contribute to the informal, laid-back quality of the music. Solitary and contemplative, it works well in the society of other instruments only when it is given lots of careful attention and space."

by Lucy E. Cross, from the booklet in Julian Bream's CD "Guitar
for Relaxation."

Margaret

Once upon a time there was a writer/educator, John Holt, who took up the cello when he was in his 40s. He then wrote a book about his adventures entitled NEVER TOO LATE: MY MUSICAL LIFE STORY. He was seriously charmed by the cello and earnestly continued with it for many years. He said he never completely mastered the instrument, but he very much enjoyed it and became competent enough to play in groups and to teach a little. Along the way he learned to love much of the classical music he heard and played. As much as is possible in black symbols on silent white paper, he describes many of these works.

With loving skill he weaves reports on and thoughts about his instrument, practicing, mistakes, musical philosophy, fellow musicians, and his moments of musical success and pleasure into a beguiling tale. Some phrases from the table of contents will give a taste of the book: "I Can't Carry a Tune," "Decoding the Sharps and Flats," "Lessons," "Finding a Place to Play," "The Beginner Over His Head," "On Being Hard on Myself," and so on.

In the end-of-book comments he says, "....I've had a lot of fun these past years playing the cello no better than I do, so I'll just go right on playing it that way." And so, playing his cello, he lived happily ever after.

(Holt, John. NEVER TOO LATE: MY MUSICAL LIFE STORY. 1978. Addison-Wesley Publ. Co.)

Reviewer's note: At this writing (late January 2003) copies seem to be available from Bloomsbury's, Powell's and Publishers' Warehouse.

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