Love for Making Music Hits High Note In Recession

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Whether it is owning an instrument or playing one, interest in music is increasing despite the recession, a new survey showed.

Nearly 60 percent of people questioned in the Gallup poll said at least one person in their household played a musical instrument, compared to 52 percent in 2006.

"Everywhere you look, you see how the pastime of playing music is continuing to gain in popularity with people of all ages, as evidenced by our recent Gallup poll," said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of the non-profit trade group the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).