If you forget the words, do what the pros do ---- mumble wink

I use words and/or a music chart on a laptop. We have over 550 songs in our 'book'.

The songs we play most often are memorized, the rest are partially memorized so we don't have to keep our nose in the computer for the entire song.

Even the songs that are memorized can fail you from time to time. When you get into the zone and something distracts you (whether it's minor or someone coming up to make a request while you are singing) you can be shocked out of the zone and not really know where you were. Having the words/music in front of you is a good way to get back on track.

I've seen symphony orchestras reading music as well as big jazz bands and no one complains. I've even been in small jazz jams where everyone has "The Real Book" in front of them.

I see nothing wrong with having notes in front of you, as long as your nose isn't buried in the notes to the point where you lose contact with the audience.

But that's just me, YMMV

Insights and incites by Notes

Bob "Notes" Norton smile Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com

100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks