Jon Johanning wrote: >One defence of memory work is by analogy with the actor on stage. Having been both a musician and actor in my time, I must say that the two are similar, but at different ends of the spectrum. I say this becuase, while you are still going from memory in a play or solo musical performance, the music isn't improvisable in most instances. In acting, most all actors are capable of "winging it" in the event someone misses a line or forgets what to do. The *responsible* actor usually knows enough about the play to remain in character and improvise his lines until things can get back together. Many audiences can usually not tell much difference. In music, however, since the orchestra is playing from a score, and there are more musicians than key actors in any scene, you simply can't make up a concerto unless you are blessed with musical abilities that we should all be envious of! Alan Lynn [log in to unmask]