Comments on: Memorizing Music? http://mlblog.musiclearningworkshop.com/423/memorizing-music Accelerated Learning - Getting It Down Cold Sun, 25 Dec 2011 00:57:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brad_C http://mlblog.musiclearningworkshop.com/423/memorizing-music#comment-914 Brad_C Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:20:41 +0000 http://mlblog.musiclearningworkshop.com/?p=423#comment-914 Brain, I know what you mean, the repeats with subtle differences can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes it takes looking at it a different way. Start big and identify the differences then go deep or very small and see what's different. Memorization for me is more about landmarks, I don't personally spend a lot of time trying to memorize larger pieces of music. The simpler ones are very structured, so working the larger picture to specific works for me. Also thing of those differences as a twist on the story you've come up with. That might be all it takes to get a break through. The idea of memorization is connections in the mind. By visiting what you've learned at frequent intervals you will retain more. However, when you don't work with something, it gets stored and dusty. You have to bring it back out and tune it up. But you should notice that it takes less time to get it back. Brain,
I know what you mean, the repeats with subtle differences can be difficult to deal with. Sometimes it takes looking at it a different way. Start big and identify the differences then go deep or very small and see what’s different. Memorization for me is more about landmarks, I don’t personally spend a lot of time trying to memorize larger pieces of music. The simpler ones are very structured, so working the larger picture to specific works for me. Also thing of those differences as a twist on the story you’ve come up with. That might be all it takes to get a break through.

The idea of memorization is connections in the mind. By visiting what you’ve learned at frequent intervals you will retain more. However, when you don’t work with something, it gets stored and dusty. You have to bring it back out and tune it up. But you should notice that it takes less time to get it back.

]]> By: Brian http://mlblog.musiclearningworkshop.com/423/memorizing-music#comment-913 Brian Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:38:34 +0000 http://mlblog.musiclearningworkshop.com/?p=423#comment-913 I enjoyed reading this, but I need this sort of story for the more difficult parts.    The first four measures are pretty simple.   I have about 2/3rd of this memorized, but the last page is rough because it SORT of repeats but not quite. Even the 'solo' part (are they arpegios?) on the second page I have a hard time memorizing.   The first one is a diminished scale, I know that.   But the second one is not.   I really wish I understood the theory behind this.   I can somewhat figure out chords, and I can sight read it fairly well, but this one I want to memorize and keep memorized!   I think your technique would be good for that.   So far, I am just learning to sight read a piece like this, and then work on memorizing it.   Some materials I have read recently indicate that I should probably START with memorizing, but I never learned how to do that, I had a bit of classical training instead where you basically just learn to sightread. I have found that even when I memorize a piece, I still have to practice it regularly to remember it.    This is probably common knowledge, but it was a surprise to me when I got back into piano a couple of years ago.   I had not played since childhood, then finally got a piano.   Sold my first one to pay tuition (not music school, I am not that good) many years ago.   Wish I had practiced more then, as I enjoy it so much now. I enjoyed reading this, but I need this sort of story for the more difficult parts.    The first four measures are pretty simple.   I have about 2/3rd of this memorized, but the last page is rough because it SORT of repeats but not quite.
Even the ‘solo’ part (are they arpegios?) on the second page I have a hard time memorizing.   The first one is a diminished scale, I know that.   But the second one is not.   I really wish I understood the theory behind this.   I can somewhat figure out chords, and I can sight read it fairly well, but this one I want to memorize and keep memorized!   I think your technique would be good for that.   So far, I am just learning to sight read a piece like this, and then work on memorizing it.   Some materials I have read recently indicate that I should probably START with memorizing, but I never learned how to do that, I had a bit of classical training instead where you basically just learn to sightread.
I have found that even when I memorize a piece, I still have to practice it regularly to remember it.    This is probably common knowledge, but it was a surprise to me when I got back into piano a couple of years ago.   I had not played since childhood, then finally got a piano.   Sold my first one to pay tuition (not music school, I am not that good) many years ago.   Wish I had practiced more then, as I enjoy it so much now.

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