Joe, we've been over this before--even on this thread.    Those of us who criticize the use of RUS in singarounds do not say users of books should not sing.   That's a straw man.

My gripe, for instance is only with RUS as a crutch--only that particular book. I would say that any book the singer has actually put together personally of his or her own songs--or just a piece of paper-- is just fine.    The likelihood of somebody who has put such a book together knowing the song well enough to put it across convincingly is quite high.   The likelihood of somebody---who has spent $14.95 or whatever RUS costs and brought RUS to the sing--knowing the song is hugely less.    RUS just makes it too easy to never really learn a song.    That's why it's a good resource, among many----and should be left at home.

It's possible that you may even consider yourself a non-singer.   That's selling yourself short. I've heard you sing songs--with no paper at all in front of you.   It was great. For so many people it's just a matter of confidence.

I can't speak for all, of course, but for me RUS is far, far worse than any other aid at a session. It is the most likely aid of all; there is likely to be more than one of that book, and it just makes it too bloody easy to avoid ever learning a song--gee, is there an echo here? Not only that but with the number of verses often printed for a song, the rest of us must listen while the "leader" stumbles through every blessed one in the book--even if said "leader" has never seen some of the verses before. That is the opposite of a satisfying musical experience.

Again, I can't speak for all but I have unlimited empathy for somebody who considers himself or herself to be a non-singer actually trying to get through a song without RUS--forgetting words, leaving out verses, radically changing the tune, etc.   That person has made an effort.    I have zero sympathy for anybody who uses RUS at a sing--that shows no effort whatsoever.

And it seems crazy that everybody should insist on singing every word of every song--another excuse for using RUS, AKA the Blue Book of Death, at a sing..   i love to sing, but i'm completely fine with listening to somebody else sing verses, and just joining in the chorus. If there is no chorus, that puts a huge burden on the singer to keep the interest of the listeners--so in general I don't sing ballads--none without refrains. Also if you want a sense of collaborative music-making, a chorus or refrain can virtually always give that---you don't need to sing every word.

I will even leave a sing if RUS is used--it's just that visceral.    And I think i'm not alone.

I in fact have left our local open sing for that reason--years ago.   And not regretted it.   I go to jams and music parties.    Nobody would even consider bringing that book to such an event.   I am a huge and hopeless music addict.   There are far too many opportunities for great music-making--of any number of types of music-- to spend time in a RUS session.   Only if there are great non-musical benefits to staying at a RUS session will I be there--and hoping the RUS portion of the program ends ASAP.

Consider for instance how many times RUS was used in the Peace Cabin this year---i believe it was zero.

If anybody wants "community sings" and requires that book, then fine.   Such a sing is the opposite of a jam or music party.   And those of us who feel that way will therefore go to the jams and parties--only.