My songbook is around 700 these days. 25% I know without any back up. 25% I have my safety wheels in place. 50% I will often read when I play them occasionally. I am not afraid to try new stuff and I certainly agree writing them out helps the memory retain better... but not always. As I have got older I like having some safety built in. Falls at my agd can be life changing!

I am not saying never try to learn. I am merely advocating accepting that many folk will never be as good as you but there will always be someone better. I practise every day. I do not rest on my laurals but some days I am lazy. I am not quite as inept as I may have come across but I work hard to improve and that is the most I can do, with or without stabilisers! (Great anology by the way)

mp