gzent

Manda,

IMO, there is no quick solution to get you up to speed playing with a group that has no music aka playing by ear.

It takes a combination of natural talent and pactice. The problem, as I see it, is that you really won't know if you have the talent until you spend a considerable amount of time practicing this skill, that is, playing by ear.

I was fortunate, I guess, to have an older brother whom I admired very much who had this skill mastered in high school. If he knew the melody of a song, he could play along with it on his trumpet with no music. He's 5 years older than me, and so, when I started playing the trumpet at age 10 I just assumed that that was something I needed to learn how to do as well.

Playing along with the radio in the 70's there were plenty of 'trumpet songs' to practice this with. I must say, he was/is still better at it than I am and it took me several years to get to a point where I could play a song I know without music of any type and not butcher it. Most 'hobby' players never master this skill, so don't feel bad if you aren't able to.

I'm not sure if you have that amount of patience, but if you have the talent I think playing along with the radio is a great way to find out. Not to mention, if you do master this skill you open up a whole world of playing opportunities.

Good luck,

Greg

__________________
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revalation
And the mind's true liberation