Hello Kippling!
How are you getting in in your foreign jaunt?
As you may know, I am learning the English and am just starting to try to accompany myself (after 2 years of practice playing tunes) and I find it very hard. I've spoken to a lot of experienced singer /
accompanyists, eg Keith Kendrick (who plays both english and anglo) and Dave Webber (english), and they say how long it takes to learn to sing words and a tune and to play another tune!

To some extent, I think it depends how much musical training you have had and from what age. Unfortunately, I have none and am staring from absolute scratch aged 50+! So I find thinking of chordal or second part accompaniment unnatural, whereas people like Noreen, who has been musical from a very early age, find it second nature!

So I have decided to start by accompanying with the tune and a few chords or twiddles at the end of lines. As I get better (I hope!) I plan to make it a bit more elaborate or different, by playing chords or second parts. We will see.

You may find it easier than me but, either way, good luck to you and keep practicing - work your way through the frustation! See you later this year (or is it next?) I look forward to hearing the Shoal of Herring with accompaniment at the next shanty festival you manage to get to!

"And my real love, she was there ...!"
Alan