A milliom years ago before the war, well mid sixties I guess, I tried to learn song tunes from the dots but I never gained a tune.

3 years ago I started to learn dance tunes - jigs, hornpipes etc. on the mondola. I am sure they are much easier because the tunes are so strong. I can't play at any speed but I can learn the tune over a few weeks then pick up the speed. I would like to play from ear but I simply don't hear all the notes.

I would encourage anybody to have a go with tunes they know then try tunes like ones they know. Most Jigs go 123, 123 and away you go.

Workshops at festivals are always better when people give out the dots.