John C. said it all. When I prepare to record a song, first I have to find a suitable backing style. If I can remember the song or parts of the song, I'm a step ahead and I know pretty much where to look for a particular style. If the song is unknown to me, or I've never played it before, then a learning curve begins. As I try out different styles, I'm playing the song, slow at first, then faster and faster until the tempo announces itself. It just seems right at that certain spot and then I work on the memory part, playing over and over until I learn the song and my fingers will play the right keys no matter what my brain tries to tell them to do. At that point I've already worked out what variations, fills, and what nots I'm going to use, so all I need now is the "feel" of the song so it's my interpretation and not a copy. Sometimes I change chords around or move notes to make it easier or maybe I'll use a style totally different for that type of song, but in the end - it's my version. To me, that's what it's all about, and the sequencer and it's editors help me reach that point.

[This message has been edited by Bud Whipple (edited 06-21-2009).]