Wow, I am blown away by the response. Thanks for taking so much time on this discussion.

The advice being given about memorizing songs, albeit very sincere and detailed, sounds a bit like someone who has a talent for drawing telling the rest of us that drawing can be learned by anyone. Sure instruction and technique can improve anyone's skill but we all know that the people who can really draw are the ones who were born with the talent. To give you an idea of the uphill struggle I face I remember at junior high school when I was one of the few who could play an instrument attending a music class when the teacher was trying to teach us to recognise chord intervals. I was so frustrated because I was one of the worst in the class and even though I had been playing for years I just couldn't recognise intervals. That's when I realized I had no ear.

The only chance for me to improve my ability to memorize is to have a sympathetic mentor looking over my shoulder to inspire me while I put into practice some of the things that have been suggested here. I don't think I will ever do it on my own but what the heck. I get a great deal of pleasure out of playing from the sheet and BIAB has provided a spark that re-ingnited my interest in playing over 10 years ago.

We leave for Florida in 5 minutes and intend to see whether I can use my talents to entertain in our retirement village. I have to assume, because it wasn't mentioned, that no one performs in public with BIAB playing from sheet music but I will give it a go.

Many thanks again
Tony