I also sing in church. I'm a soprano but sometimes try to give myself a work out by singing alto, or the tenor up an octave. I know several people who say that's how they learned to sing harmony.

I have sometimes wondered how people who don't have that chance to sing every week. Poppa, your remarks about the festivals is interesting, but a once a year get together does not make singers.

My parents liked musicals so they played those records a lot. I would sing along & my younger sister always complained. I know for a fact she sings along now that she's an adult. One of the cutest things I think I've seen was my 4 or 5 year old niece singing "So long, farewell" with the motions while watching Sound of Music.

My mom was a song leader in Scouts & church school. If our church did not have a choir she organized one. Even so, we did not sing that much at home. I have 2 sisters & I think she could have gotten us singing 3 part harmonies. Her stumbling block was not playing the piano & all 3 of us refusing to learn. I don't think it occurred to her that we could learn by mostly a-cappella with the occasional note check on the piano.

In the days before radio, most American homes had pianos. A lot of people could play, many by ear. Sheet music sold well & people learned all the latest songs. It wasn't traditional music, but it was folks making music. I think people like my mom, who grew up then, couldn't really consider a sing along without a piano.