Hey, M.Ted:

My unreserved apology if anything I posted was insulting.

I was merely posting from MY point of view. Until I know a song without looking at the music, I don't consider that I know it - and I perform in lots of different groups: folk, jazz, choral. However, that's just me. It's different for everyone.

I was very influenced by a jazz teacher who told us that while we were still looking at the page for the next chord change, we couldn't possibly play it well as a whole piece. Same goes in other kinds of music. For me, if I have to keep looking out for what's coming next I get tense and forget the audience.

If you ever come to one of my performances with a red pencil, it will probably be blunt by the time you leave! While I (and others) strive for perfection, no one is. We all do the best we can guided by whatever our musical voice, inspiration and experience allows.

Long live all kinds of music - cheat sheets or no!

--Callie