EBarnacle, good to know RUS is in large type. Is it a tome? The size of a dictionary?

Can you see it if you put it on the floor without having to look down too often?

Can you add verses to it on the spot? Maybe it should include blank pages. :)

That said, I think it's as Ron says a good introductory method of group singing. At the Old Town School they experimented with old slide and bouncing ball technique.

In the best of all possible worlds, everyone would know the songs by heart. But this shouldn't be a hindrance for people who enjoy singing together.

Whatever brings people together to sing is all right in my book (RUS or otherwise).

It's nice when there are those who can add to the singing of the song by introducing new verses that they "remember". It gives the sing more vitality.

I think a balance between the songbook and solo memorized verses is good or even cheat sheets with those of us who are not so good at remembering the songs we used to know.

Frank Hamilton