THE Margin notes that the reputation of an orchcstra's brass section for being "beer drinking extroverts" compared to the "grumpy arrogance" of string players has been confirmed in a new study. Observations of two orchestras by psychologists found members of the brass sections to be more relaxed and jokey. String players were far more serious.

The Margin wonders what results would be found elsewhere and can nominate candidates fond of blowing their own trumpets, not to mention some highly strung characters.