Now that you've more bewares, becarefulls & becauses you're gonna try it anyway cause you've been bitten by the bug a long time ago. You're not under any false views, not with all the salt water singing that you've been weaned on. I know you were raised around the best when most you're age are still getting exposed so I guess it can be said that you've been raised in style (or in the style). Go for it, don't wonder later if you should've done it, later you can rethink the whole thing a 2nd time to see if you should continue, you can always keep it on a slow back burner. See you at NEFFA & maybe with all the shanty singers there we migtht get a sea session going to wet your foot in. By the way you were only 10 when your mother took the 2 fisted bones player/sailor, Tim Riley, under her wing & taught him his trade, in some quarters some assistance may be more forthcoming than one would expect. Barry