Well, once again it appears each person is different, and you better know yourself.

I remember in high school choir that we would sing a song from music every day for a couple months. About two weeks before the concert our director would have us sing the song, then tell us "Close the music". Suddenly nobody could sing that song, even though we knew more or less where it was going. For the next few days he would alternate between music and no music. After that it was no music, and we really didn't need it. (he might have us pull out the music for on tricky section if needed) So while learning, put away all aids, and try to get through on your memory, just strum and hum if needed, but force yoruself to try. If you never rely on your memory, your memory will not come through! Ever notice that you don't have to see the last measure of a page, or the first one on the next? You have to keep playing, so your memory learns those measures well.

As for me, when a new song comes on the radio I can normally sing along (very inacceratly, but close enough) by the thrid line. Of course the songs they play on the radio are strict format songs, so you know when the bridge is coming. I'm not up to playing along with songs yet, but I hope to get there. I'm just a beginner on my mandolin yet though.

p>One thing psycologist say is that in general if you memorise something in one day you will probably forget it. If you memorise it over several days you have a much better chance of remembering next week. So don't try to learn something too quickly, better to learn several somethings over a longer time. You don't get as bored that way. (Of course if your just starting like me, you probably don't know enough basics to memorise a lot. So I just have fun, and avoid memorizing. I'm not ready for proformance anyway.)