Hi Lucy Ann....I am an incredibly shy performer, so songs I've sung for 30 years may desert me (usually first lines, next worst thing is reversing parts of verses). For the past few months I've been volunteering with Hospice, to sing in extended and critical care facilities. Some of these places cater to Alzheimer and dementia clients, and singing for these people can be VERY distracting. I know some, at least, are enjoying, as toes are tapped, smiles appear when they recognize a song. But their responses are uninhibited and often intrusive. I've had my face patted, my hair examimed, hummers, talkers and hollerers abound. Needless to say, I've lost it singing at just about every session, at one point or another. In consequence, I'm much more at ease now with flubs of all kinds, and find that this self confidence carries over into other settings as well.

Try it! As always, giving turns out to be even more about getting...