I tried for years to play by ear with no real success. There are many songs that I have played so many times that my hands just seem to do what they are supposed to do with no thought at all. But, on occasion, things don't seem to go right and if I am not reading the score I am completely lost and like Carol, I am helpless. So, I force myself to use fake sheets and stay with the score. Often, I use the lyrics to find my way when I have lost my place. There is no hope for me to play without my fake sheets and when you're in your 70's it's too late to change.