I'm inspired by this thread, because I'm currently finding my way from (a) to (b). After a dozen or so years accompanying my own singing on guitar with very variable results, I discovered old-time music and the thrill of playing with other people. Now, after a 10-year hiatus, I've moved to a new place and found a few Irish musicians left over when their band broke up. I've always loved Irish music, and enjoy singing Irish songs (unaccompanied!), but now I'm playing it! I'm learning how to modify the driving old-time backup into a more sensitive accompaniment for tunes...and loving it.

Interestingly, my ear seems to have improved during the 10 years I wasn't playing, and I can now hear and follow chord changes much more easily than before. (Has anybody else had that experience?) It makes it much more fun to play...and more fun for the tunesters to sit in the same room with me!

I'm also pleased that, unlike some places I've lived, which shall remain nameless, the musicians here enjoy songs as well as tunes, and there's none of the "Quick, start another set of tunes before one of the singers opens his mouth" bullshit. Must be that laid-back Hawaiian style!

Aloha,
Mark