Does anyone really think its the fault of the BOOK the way people use it? Or do you think if those SAME PEOPLE had little laptops with the DT at their disposal, (for the same length of time they've had their RUS'es) they wouldn't be just as rigid with THOSE versions being "set in stone"? Is it just a case of the book being too popular for its own good? Combined with the anal-retentive attitude of a great deal of the general public?

I think it also points to a lack these days of the whole oral tradition of learning songs (or whatever); everything "we" learn these days comes out of a book. Half the women I work with can't cook ANYTHING without a recipe. Everyone remembers Grandma's Apple Pie, but nobody can make it now that she's passed on.

Another problem is that people just don't sing enough anymore. In our church a few years ago, a great number of the congregation asked if we could stop doing the "harder" hymns during the services, because most of the congregation had trouble with them. They wanted hymns on the musical level of "Jesus Loves Me".

Enough ranting - apologies to all who listened.

campfire