Maybe a kalimba (african thumb harp)? I had one years ago. they can actually be beautiful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAdLFeUPII&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abTlNLeFpgo&feature=related

and much more beautiful is the Array Mbira:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r3rCUg3L98&feature=related

a smaller version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbPVFMMIvqM&feature=related

>>>Wow, amazing! I should have paid more attention to my mother when she tried to teach me piano when I was young. <g>
>>>
>>>~~Bonnie
>>
>>Wow, join the club. My mom was always after me to take music lessons and I could not be enticed. I just wanted to play basketball (plus other sports in season) all day long. I try not to have too many regrets but not learning to play an instrument is one of them. It's probably too late now. Our minds learn faster at a young age. That's proven.
>
>My mom played piano quite well back in those days. She's the one who gave me lessons ... I did ok (could read music and play easy pieces), but I was quite young and perhaps my mom got frustrated with me and gave up, or I just lost interest ... I don't really remember. I don't remember her giving lessons to any of my younger sisters either. But about 20-30 years later, she started giving lessons again to non-family students. I guess it was just something interesting for her to do for awhile.
>
>I keep thinking about taking up something musical in my old age ... maybe try one of Gary's harmonicas ... that might be a fun instrument to play. Gary still plays his guitars occasionally but he's gotten way out of practice I think.
>
>~~Bonnie

qbAdLFeUPII

abTlNLeFpgo

9r3rCUg3L98

YbPVFMMIvqM