I started playing the violoncello when I was 12 years old. That means I have been playing for about 14 years now. (..and boy, are my arms tired!) When I was given the choice of what orchestral stringed instrument to play, I remember at the time thinking I didn't want to play the violin since everybody played that. The viola was right out, since it looked too much like the violin. And the double bass was just too big. So, the 'cello it was!

Last year I had my instrument converted to a more Baroque setup. I didn't have it completely converted because that would have cost almost as much as the thing was worth to begin with. But, similar to what Yo-yo Ma had done to his Stradivari, I removed the end-pin, had my bridge adjusted to give a shallower arch, and strung it with some good, old-fashioned gut strings. Even before I did the conversion I still never played with the end-pin. I feel more "one" with the instrument on my calves. (That may sound a bit over-the-top, but it's true!) Now the

instrument has a wonderfully dark, earthy, slightly reedy tone that fits the Baroque stuff so well.

Eventually I would like to get a ¾ size instrument and have it converted to a five string setup. For no other reason, really, than to learn Bach's sixth suite. I am also quite intrigued by the instruments made by Dmitry Badiarov. The cello piccolo da spalla is, to me anyway, an exciting development in the Baroque 'Cello world. Oh, if only I had the money!