What is the best way to memorize songs?
Requested and Answered by Dan on 02-Jan-2009 17:46 (2435 reads)
If it makes you feel any better, I have the same trouble.
I have a core group of songs that I can - usually - play from memory, but for others in my repertoire I'm very reliant on lead sheets as a memory jogger.
I've run across a number of tips to help address this, which are particularly useful for difficult pieces.
1) It's useful to analyze the song and break it down into chunks. For instance, you'll usually notice that the verse and chorus parts are almost exactly alike in terms of music. With unique parts coming in the bridge, breaks, or solos. So if you remember the overall structure, it may not be as much to memorize.
2) Listen to it a lot. Set your MP3 player to repeat that song all day (or all week!) and soon every nuance will be ingrained in your head.
3) Write down the words. Sometimes I find this very handy particularly after (2) - where I've listened to it a bunch and now want to solidify the words in my mind.
4) Repetition. I know this isn't a guitar example, but I played clarinet as a kid in the marching band. We must have played 'Rock Around the Clock' 1,000 times or more. I haven't played clarinet in 25 years (that just breaks me to admit that!) but I bet I could still pick up a clarinet and play that piece just from finger memory. The same holds true for guitar. Get it in your fingers and they'll do the walking subconsiously.
In terms of memorizing the playing aspects - here's two additional tips I've used:
1) Tackle the hard parts head on. Often I can play a piece but it is just one jump or passage that is throwing me off - so work on that indepenedently until I can nail it then put it all back together.
2) Memorize it backwards. Start with the last bar and then add the next to last bar, etc. This defeats the tendency to only memorize riffs or skip over the parts you don't know very well or the fact that you can play the beginning but never the end.
Other thoughts:
-- Don't be afraid to take a break. I find that sometimes I just have to sleep on it and the next day it comes easy.
-- Set a goal and be ready. If you plan on playing at an open-mic night and need 5 songs ready by January 31st, you'll be much more motivated to memorize those suckers instead of watching Batman re-runs.
Written by Dan Halberg
www.guitargearheads.com
Copyright © 2009 Allen & Halberg Publishing, Inc.
GuitarGearHeads™ is a Trademark of Allen & Halberg Publishing
All Rights Reserved
I have a core group of songs that I can - usually - play from memory, but for others in my repertoire I'm very reliant on lead sheets as a memory jogger.
I've run across a number of tips to help address this, which are particularly useful for difficult pieces.
1) It's useful to analyze the song and break it down into chunks. For instance, you'll usually notice that the verse and chorus parts are almost exactly alike in terms of music. With unique parts coming in the bridge, breaks, or solos. So if you remember the overall structure, it may not be as much to memorize.
2) Listen to it a lot. Set your MP3 player to repeat that song all day (or all week!) and soon every nuance will be ingrained in your head.
3) Write down the words. Sometimes I find this very handy particularly after (2) - where I've listened to it a bunch and now want to solidify the words in my mind.
4) Repetition. I know this isn't a guitar example, but I played clarinet as a kid in the marching band. We must have played 'Rock Around the Clock' 1,000 times or more. I haven't played clarinet in 25 years (that just breaks me to admit that!) but I bet I could still pick up a clarinet and play that piece just from finger memory. The same holds true for guitar. Get it in your fingers and they'll do the walking subconsiously.
In terms of memorizing the playing aspects - here's two additional tips I've used:
1) Tackle the hard parts head on. Often I can play a piece but it is just one jump or passage that is throwing me off - so work on that indepenedently until I can nail it then put it all back together.
2) Memorize it backwards. Start with the last bar and then add the next to last bar, etc. This defeats the tendency to only memorize riffs or skip over the parts you don't know very well or the fact that you can play the beginning but never the end.
Other thoughts:
-- Don't be afraid to take a break. I find that sometimes I just have to sleep on it and the next day it comes easy.
-- Set a goal and be ready. If you plan on playing at an open-mic night and need 5 songs ready by January 31st, you'll be much more motivated to memorize those suckers instead of watching Batman re-runs.
Written by Dan Halberg
www.guitargearheads.com
GuitarGearHeads™ is a Trademark of Allen & Halberg Publishing
All Rights Reserved
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