well-- i share, with several other on this board- an inability to carry a tune-- even if you pack it up in a bucket. but that didn't stop the nuns from trying to teach me to sing-- (all assured places in heaven for their efforts, no doubt)

we were taught --bel canto--? the idea of singing with our mouths shaped into a open mouth smile.. as this was supposed to bring forth the most pleasant sound.. and all of you music guys are right-- if you keep your mouth shaped as an open smile.. there are sounds you can't make..

i can, with effort, read music, but the thing i remember most clearly was the effort to learn to sing with a smile.