A lot of good information and feedback here.

Although I do not play an instrument anymore, I use "non-musician" to signify I lack much musical knowledge or experience, am having to redevelop my ear for harmonies, and when I get really nervous (like when there ARE good and demanding musicians in the gathering) I may completely blank on the words or go off key. I want to improve my musicianship-- for my own satisfaction-- and because there are songs I want to sing that I want acompanied. I want to get good enough that I won't feel like a beggar to ask an instrumentalist and or other singers to work up some tunes with me.

One of the reasons I never got very good on guitar was I got too nervous to tolerate playing with other people, and missed out on the challenges and learning opportunities that experience brings. Getting older has helped the "stage-fright" a good bit, but not entirely. I have confidence that my voice is "pleasing and entertaining" but very little confidence in my musicianship. Making music with others is what I need to improve my musicianship.

Keep those cards and letters comin' in, folks!

Janie