Sneekydad has his radio on all day - I listen as I practice. Today I gave up trying to sight read a book of oboe studies (on my flute) and played along to Abba instead. I think I shall try more of this.

Does anyone else play along to the radio? - is it a useful skill?

I remember when I was younger playing along with my 'Steps' CD

I suppose it develops your musical ear

I've played along with some of the best bands in the world!

It's really useful to be able to do it I think. Sometimes I use a score, sometimes a lead sheet and sometimes by ear.

Which Abba song was it?

I will never ever go near to your record collection.

I can't do anything else while I'm practicing, has to be totally silent!

Sooperper Troooperper - and I failed miserabley on the verses - but it was a one-shot only affair

When I was learning how to play the clarinet, I used to try playing along to the radio an awful lot.

Our radio stations of choice at the time generally were Radio 1 and 2, and we are talking mid 1980s here. You can have a go at working out the sort of records I tried to play along to now!