[Lcjones]

... Here's an important thing to remember, especially for folks just starting out singing and playing at the same time. You're hearing the song in your head as you hear it from an LP/CD/Radio. Don't get caught up in trying to emulate the orginal master right off the bat. Take your time and learn the song your way.

Bob Dylan once sang, "I'll know my song well". And that is a key factor. In order to play and sing well, you must know your song well. You must be initmate with the lyric and the melody. To be at ease with the song.

I don't want to discourage anyone, but it's a fact. And as relentlessly stated as it is, it's practice, practice, practice. Rhythms, timings, accentuations, nuances. All practice, practice, practice.

On the other hand George Harrison said during the heyday of the Beatles, they rarely sang their songs to a live audience. (how many live concerts did they do ?) They would hammer out a tune in the studio, record it and forget it.

Les