Sam, here is my method. I always try to work from a melody score sheet (I have quite an extensive library). If I don't have the score, I record the song into the "wizard" and work the chord changes from there. Once I have the proper chords and their duration notated, I load them into BIAB. I will also work the chord structure out from a lyric sheet and enter it into BIAB, but I found I can do it faster using the previous method. By the time I have the song entered into BIAB I have most if not all of the melody nailed. I then play the BIAB and sing the melody (even if there are no lyrics). I do this over and over until I can sing the lyrics accapella. Repetition is the key here, there are no short cuts. By the time I have a reasonable command of this, I also have the chord progressions and my arrangements in hand. I still use the lead sheets as "crib notes" when playing as there could be some time from when I last performed that particular song and I simply forget some of the nuances I may have put in my arrangement. What ever the method, the common thread here is to select your song(s) and learn them (repetition) so you can perform them in some kind of fashion with just you and your instrument. What can be very useful is if there is an acoustic jam venue available to you. Although your approach should still be "the best you can be" this is an excellent place to perform publicly and try the song out without the demands of your professional performance.DennisD

There are only 3 kinds of musicians: those that can count, and those that can't!
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