My husband brought home a library book written by Bill Heavey, a fisherman, hunter and editor of Field and Stream magazine. In his intro, he had this to say, and I thought it applies to music as well as to sports.

"...the public has been hoodwinked into believing that being good at what you like to do is of great consequence. It's not. Enthusiasm is a lot more important than skill. On numerous occasions, for example, I have traveled thousands of miles to catch certain types of fish, failed utterly, and had a hell of a good time doing so. A competent person who did likewise -- even the competent get skunked occasionally -- would have been miserable.

I'm able to fail and have a good time simultaneously because I am, by nature and by preference, an amateur rather than a professional."

It seems to me that here at the Mudcat we have too much discussing of music and not enough playing. Are people discouraged because they don't sound like the top ten? If so, don't be. Music belongs to all mankind, so pick up your ax and play.

Me, I am never gonna master barre chords, and C still eludes me. But yesterday I put my piano book on the dining-room table, tuned my guitar and played along with the classical music running through my head.
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The name of the book is 'You're not lost if you can still see the truck.' I recommend it.