Playing the glasses is very rewarding.  I have been playing for about
four years now.  I have played in the church's Valentine Banquets
Community Club Christmas meting and so forth.  In yesterdays digest
Robert Linnstaedt mentioned:

> The largest reason that the instrument failed in concerts is because
> no one could hear it past the orchestra pit!  It is a _salon_ instrument
> with a very soft, thin, ethereal voice.  With modern electrical amplifi-
> cation it might work, but electrifying a water-filled instrument?

I'm sure this is true if you are wanting to use this instrument along
side other instruments, but I have found that as a solo instrument its
tone is clear and will fill a nice size auditorium.  To this date I have
never had to mic the glasses.  I suppose the most acoustically
challenging place I have played was in a metal school gym.  After the
heaters were turned off no one had trouble hearing.  It's funny -- people
are so entranced by the music coming form ordinary glasses that they get
super quiet, almost too quiet.

If you ever have the opportunity to hear the glasses in concert, go !
Sometimes the sweet tone moves me to the point of tears as I practice.
If you're ever in Eastern Carolina and would like to try to play them,
or hear them play, come by and I will be more than glad to set them
up and let you try.  It's really fun.

Sam Harris
3742 Old Creek Road
Greenville, NC.  27834

 [ Sam, did ever play the Musical Coins on a marble surface?  That's
 [ fun, too !  -- Robbie