that's what it sounds like to me too. go put 1 point in it just to be sure.
i know for a fact that within the last week my level 26 bard friend went to
the ecommons tunnel in the shady swashbuckler room, equipped a horn and
started DDD and maxed it overnight. if the icon is grayed and you have the
horn equipped, you ARE playing the song and will get the increases. you
will only see the animation and sparkles if someone is within range. it
doesn't have to be a PvP area, just somewhere remote. in the far corner of
the shady swashbuckler room myself and my friend (and others on this list)
have maxed their brass skill.

Shada

>
> From: "Kimes, Dean W." <Dean_Kimes@...>
>
> Yow! I hope this isn't accurate and that some other problem
> was affecting
> you. If thay have truly changed DDD and brass skill raises
> in this way I
> may as well plan on never buying a horn. You did remember to
> train 1 point
> in it at the trainer right? I know you cnnot use any of the
> music skills
> unless you train that first point and get the "You have
> learned the basics
> of XXX" message. If you're not sure, go try to train it and see.
>
> Kitasi