When it comes to formal musical education, Don, you may well "Sherman tank" me, as I don't have any: my poetry and music are both "self-taught" - for want of a better term, becuase, informally, of course I've learnt from others (TV - e.g. "Musicians Channel", mentioned before; radio; folk clubs; web articles and forums; books; etc.). But I'm happy that I've stuck with just the top-line melodies of songs and hymns, which I can now, just about, write as well as read (it's more folkie to play by ear but, still, better to know both ways, I feel - perhaps we can agree on that much?).