Methods for Memorizing Music - Music Performance

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Many musicians have tried everything in their powers to memorize music but feel very frustrated when the task cannot be mastered. Even though most musicians don’t actually need to memorize music, some do and there are benefits for all in doing so. Memorizing music ensures good inner knowledge of the score and assists improvisation skills. This music performance lesson explores the four main approaches - visual, auditory, motor skills, and analysis - then moves on to give 10 top tips for developing a process that will enable memorization skills.
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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to methods for memorizing music
0:26 - Do you need to play from memory?
3:34 - Types of learning styles
6:18 - Start with a handful of bars
8:00 - Learn the music well
9:48 - Treat it as a process
12:30 - The sound of the music
15:35 - Muscle memory
18:30 - Visual cues
20:39 - Interaction between other parts
21:34 - Be analytical
23:35 - Putting words to melodic lines
24:23 - Enjoy the journey
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Опубликовано:

23 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 308

@MusicMattersGB 3 года назад

Learn Music Online - Check out our courses here! www.mmcourses.co.uk/courses

@stephanebelizaire3627 2 года назад

Very Helpful , Thanks and Bravo !

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ru-vid.com/show-UC8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

@MrBobbyspark Месяц назад

Thank you so much!

@MusicMattersGB Месяц назад

😀

@atomic432 3 месяца назад

Very useful comments. I am an 84 year old non musician trying to play classical guitar and this will defiantly help.

@MusicMattersGB 3 месяца назад

Glad it’s helpful. Much more to assist you at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@jytte47 Год назад

Some years ago I played the violin in a groupe of several different instrument in a music school. There were no music score. We had to learn not only our part but also the part the other instruments by hart. I noticed that music you get in your memory by your eyes are lost after 3 months but music you get in by the ears almost never disappeard. Everybody remembers the songs we learned as children because we learned them by ears. :o)

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

😀

@Lynkevmusic 2 года назад

excellent tutorial Gareth, really useful for those of us who don't have access to a music school at present. Thank you.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@carltaylor4942 2 года назад

I feel like I have just met someone my own age who can explain music to me in terms I understand. Learning so much from you, Gareth and really enjoying the experience. Great advice throughout.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@chrisbrodbeck1961 2 года назад

Thank you Gareth, I took a speech class that was very helpful! The biggest tip I can pass on is to memorize each section as a room. That way you go from room to room with each piece. Same thing as chilunking but you imagine what happens in each room! It's not one long recital rather broken up in you're mind. You can then imagine each piece as you go along. If you mess one piece up go over that one till youve got it! You can pick a different place to stand for each section, like moving from one room to another.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Good plan.

@jeffh5388 6 месяцев назад

Hands down the best explanation of memorization I've ever heard. Gareth I've watched this about ten times, and I just want to thank you for sharing such valuable knowledge. Ten stars!!!

@MusicMattersGB 6 месяцев назад

Glad it’s helpful.

@Delectatio 2 года назад

Playing from sheets can never be so free as playing from memory is, Robert Schumann said.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@ericdavison6186 Год назад

Good discussions and advice. I was just learning mandolin and attending a traditional music session, I sat and listened, and was helped playing with others on simple tunes. I soon learnt the whole body gets invilved) I toured Scotland withmy work and in some sessions, men and women sometimes ' diddled' the tunes ! Just vocalising the tune, some whistled ) they carried the tune in their hearts and heads.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Brilliant

@CaptJackAubreyOfTheRoyalNavy 2 года назад

Thanks. I need this. When I decided to get really serious about sightreading a few years back, I started to rely more and more heavily on reading, at the expense of memory. Now my ability to memorize is worse than it was before and I'm way too reliant on reading the page. Memorizing also helps with showing off your skills! And let's be honest, for a lot of us, that's important.

@yardrail3432 2 года назад

Captain, I absolutely agree ...most of us like to sound impressive and playing without music is a skill in itself. However, it places a greater burden on the performer to play without fault and therein lies the challenge...so.. all the best with your memorising Captain. You will not be disappointed.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Go for it!

@marielaclericorhodes3030 2 года назад

Thank you prof Gareth. When I was young I used to play lots of piano works such as Haydn and Mozart's sonatas, Chopin Studios, Bach Italian Concert, etc by heart. I moved abroad and stop playing for over 14 years. I came back to my country but worked so hard that I had very little time to study. Some years ago I decided to take on studying piano. I fight against shyness, lack of confidence and other mental blockage probably caused by my father disappointment for not being a successful musician. Yet, I hope to reach at least a medium and average level again, though I realise I cannot play without music sheet. I'm trying with some Schumann Youth Album works and see if I can play them by heart again so you guidance is most useful. I will keep on trying applying some of your tips to see if I can improve...thank you so much

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@kpcheck1 2 года назад

Thank you Gareth, this is such a good detailed tutorial. I am one who likes playing through memory. This tutorial helps so much.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@davidwhite2949 3 года назад

About as complete a discussion of memorizing music as I’ve heard. Thank you!

@MusicMattersGB 3 года назад

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme

@Philrc 2 года назад

David Russell the guitarist recommends memorizing music backwards. From the end to the beginning. That way you're always playing into something you know.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Great idea.

@muliercantatinecclesia5 2 года назад

Wow, great idea, thank you.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@zenakash 2 года назад

If David Russell says so, I might consider doing so 😂

@Philrc 2 года назад

@@zenakash well it's just an idea, not a command . I haven't bothered doing it ...

@carlstenger5893 2 года назад

Excellent video. Wonderful tips. In my younger years (when I was primarily a singer), I found memorization to be automatic. I have a sort of photographic memory, but it's not instantaneous. It would typically take (about) a half-dozen viewings over a week's time; but once I had it, I could recall it on demand (and tell you the page, the stave, the measure, etc.). I can still recall many pieces that I sang in High School and College that I haven't seen or sung in 40+ years. Unfortunately, once I began conducting choirs, my ability to quickly memorize seemed to degrade. I suppose that the fact that I then had to concentrate on much more than just a single voice part overwhelmed my brain. But I digress. I never really analyzed how I went about memorizing at the time. You clearly have analyzed it...quite well. These tips should give anyone (who cares to follow your advice) a leg or two up on committing music to memory. Thanks!

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Interesting reflection there. Thank you.

@StephenB_LE9 2 года назад

Thanks Gareth - very many useful tips. I find it interesting that I unconsciously learn my (simple) piano pieces just by playing them (I'm playing one of Bach's Kleine Praludian in D minor) whereas learning pieces on the saxophone is harder! Your tips and ideas are much appreciated.I will try the duetting with myself !

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Great. Enjoy!

@billligon4005 Год назад

Listening to this lecture a 2nd time really helps. Downloading it to listen again and again.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Excellent.

@NomeDeArte Год назад

I always use the example of the car, especially when I talk about drumming. Thanks for the amazing quality of the videos, best wishes from Argentina!

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Excellent. Greetings to you too

@homamellersh8446 Год назад

Thank you so much, the whole instruction was great and very helpful .

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Excellent. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@CharlesAustin 2 года назад

Well done nice approaches to memorization. Memory as a process rings true for me .. often I’ve played shows etc and reading the same score every night doesn’t get it memorized. One has to do as you say as in activating the desire to memorize. Analysis and playing dynamically are great points to apply to accomplish and help memorization. Further, one could consider playing in keys.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Absolutely

@achaley4186 11 месяцев назад

I enjoyed and appreciated this SO much. I struggle with the idea of and the pressure to memorize..although I have memorized a few easy pieces….as I’m sure many have. But wow, you gave me a good idea…what about combining “duetting “ with “ away from the instrument practice “…like use a recording of yourself or another and try to play with yourself away from the piano…I am going to try this on my upcoming vacation where I will not have a piano. This was a very big help, thank you! 🙂⭐❤🙏🏼

@MusicMattersGB 11 месяцев назад

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@clivegovier2871 2 года назад

Thanks very much for a treasure trove of ways to memorise a piece. I suppose it’s true to say that one compelling reason is that it forces the player to analyse the piece in the way you describe. Otherwise, the temptation is to just not bother to do so. In Joseph Lehvinne’s brilliant little book, PRINCIPLES OF PIANO PLAYING , he said how surprised he was that his students too often hardly knew even what key they were playing in! Could that be why, in times past, students were expected to memorise? Reading a book is just one skill. Reading sheet music is triple skilled: we listen, we read, and we play. Quite an achievement!

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Absolutely.

@jguerramusic 2 года назад

Thank you for your tips and for making this video! Very helpful!

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@Philrc 2 года назад

I find in the process of learning a piece and going over and over it I also, of course, end up memorising it. of course it depends on the length. but it's just a matter of playing it, then going back to the score and checking bits you aren't sure about. eventually you have it all memorised.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@mayiask654 2 года назад

But this is not a very reliable memorization. That way you get it into your "muscle memory". But not into your conscious active memory from where you can "dig out' the piece if anything goes wrong during the performance. Usually "muscle memory memorizers" have to start from the beginning when they get lost. They can't just skip over the faulty part and continue playing as if nothing happened.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Absolutely

@Philrc 2 года назад

@@mayiask654 sorry, are you talking to me? once I know a score I can go to any part of it or skip a bit ( though I wouldn't like to ) if I want to. Memorisation is memorisation. If I know it then I could write it out if needs be, I don't see the problem.

@mayiask654 2 года назад

@@Philrc yes, i was talking to you. OK, if it works like that for you, then you are a lucky guy. But it doesn't work for the vast majority of "muscle memory memorizers". I guess you have some kind of photographic memory so i think that you are unconsciously memorizing the score somehow like a picture. Most people don't have that kind of memory. Or you have total pitch or at least very good relative pitch so you can visualize the score by hearing it. But ask any music teacher how "reliable" memorization works for almost all of their pupils! Ask them how many of those who play solely by muscle memory can write down the score from memory! Or how many of them can skip to any part of it!

@Laved7 6 месяцев назад

Omg! Duetting w yourself. Great idea! Also writing it out. Thanks so much

@MusicMattersGB 6 месяцев назад

Glad it’s helpful. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@katiesethna 2 года назад

During appearing for piano exams in my youth, memorisation was the only way to go, for me. Thank you

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

True for many people.

@robertdavis1255 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing... great video & comments...I am an 'older' musician & play piano & guitar... with the guitar playing I sing & I do have problems remembering words.... repetition is my only way but takes a lot of time... especially songs with a lot of versuses... again thanks for sharing... cheers 😀

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@davidbaker6549 2 года назад

Absolutely Spot On. I think I've been or I'm at those very same 10 tips. One Step at a time

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Glad it’s helpful. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ru-vid.com/show-UC8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

@massmanute Год назад

Excellent information. Interestingly, some of the points made in this video apply to learning a piece from the score as well as memorizing it. My music teachers has mentioned some of these techniques for learning a piece.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Absolutely

@andresgiovanazzi3551 11 месяцев назад

Exelent perspective to addres the subject.Thanks.

@MusicMattersGB 11 месяцев назад

A pleasure

@silentmadness8227 2 года назад

Thanks, good analisys of memory. Let me add another tip. "memorize by phrase" at last music is played on phases.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@michaelsmith697 2 года назад

An excellent explanation of the importance of memory and the different aspects of it

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Glad it’s helpful

@lovetoplayharp 2 года назад

Yes, this was very helpful! Thank you. 😊

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@alanhowemusic2457 2 года назад

Thank you very much for this U-Tube video. I can’t read music and I just play by ear so I’m memory playing all the time. I do need to start reading music but find it difficult to do so but I need to start.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Nothing wrong with playing by ear. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ru-vid.com/show-UC8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

@ronday4210 11 месяцев назад

Excellent presentation and I thank You 🤙🏽

@MusicMattersGB 11 месяцев назад

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@vannigio6234 Год назад

uah! your english is so good! BBC ... i m italian but i can understand you easily! uah! nice! thank you prof. 🐻👍👍👍💥

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Thanks

@lawrencetaylor4101 10 месяцев назад

You really are a Maestro's Maestro. Part of this list was painful to listen to, when you talked about having the music running through your head. I'm not there yet. But I went through 65 years of my life joking to people that I was born with two left ears. And I might have Aural Aphantasia. I don't have music in my head. I woke up one morning and tried to sing a scale and couldn't do it. But I've been using the Rule of the Octave and singing the tonic, the third or the fifth. If anything can help change my perceptions, it will be that. And I have you to thank for teaching me ROTO.

@MusicMattersGB 10 месяцев назад

Keep going with it and you’ll be amazed at where it takes you.

@synthplayer1563 6 месяцев назад

Very useful tips and this is very true, in my practice I don't have to play from memory, but it always has its advantages.

@MusicMattersGB 6 месяцев назад

Glad it’s helpful

@user-jq3oo8pm6m Год назад

I'm really impressed by the story "Helping a daughter learn to drive." (16:24) There is a Chinese Proverb "教學相長" which means teaching and learning go hand in hand. Thanks Gareth for your useful hints. ☺🎼

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

A pleasure. Thank you. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@patrickcunningham618 2 года назад

very helpful !!!!!!!!! tyvm for filling in the ("self taught")gaps so effectively

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

A pleasure. Hope you’re well.

@jeanninecathcart627 2 года назад

My dad could play from memory like magic. He could transpose music from any key to a different key. He learned do do that from playing piano for kids choral groups in school. Sometimes a song needs to be in a higher or a lower key to accommodate the children's voices, whether higher or lower.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

That kind of musical environment is ideal for acquiring these skills.

@jamesmonnery4420 2 года назад

Great vide Gareth... I'd love to see a video on the different rhythm's of sheet music (1 e + a etc.) and how to notate it. Thanks!

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Okay. That’s a possible subject

@blackwhite1257 2 года назад

Thanks 😊 for the info and tips….

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@willcwhite 2 года назад

24:13 I actually find that inappropriate words are often much more memorable, if you catch my drift 😉 Excellent suggestions all around!

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@r5u26d3 2 года назад

Gareth, just a lovely man

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Most kind

@bouboumamiami7919 2 года назад

thanks you for your'll video and good advices.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@Larissa-jo9uj 2 года назад

Thank u so much. It help me a lot💚

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@sheiladane2072 Год назад

Thanks so much !

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

A pleasure. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@felaperez6480 2 года назад

Thak you for your useful tips

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

A pleasure

@user-zg4qy7hr7q 2 года назад

God bless you, Gareth

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

That’s most kind. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ru-vid.com/show-UC8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

@luizasilva6822 2 года назад

Thanks again, Gareth, for sharing your solid experience with us. Over the years, I realized that I can memorize popular songs much more easily than classical ones. I suppose it is because of the complexity level on each one - speaking in general terms, of course. One of my tricks for challenging classical pieces is to give a name for each part (hoping the composer will never know...)

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Good strategy. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ru-vid.com/show-UC8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

@davidjordan5175 2 года назад

I perform exclusively from memory unless paid not to. Making mistakes in performance is a great way to motivate. I perform every week at a farmers market early Saturday morning 4hrs in the summer 5hrs winter.( Phoenix's mild winter) mistakes help teach improvisation and quick recovery and composure. Even though people are walking by, it's still pressure . And you are making$$ while getting invaluable training.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

That’s a great shared experience. Much more at www.mmcourses.co.uk including details of our online courses and of our exciting Maestros programme. If you value this channel and would like to help us continue to share and develop the content please consider supporting us as a level 1 Maestro by clicking here ru-vid.com/show-UC8yI8P7Zi3yYTsypera-IQgjoin Alternatively you can express your support for the channel by clicking on the Super Thanks button beneath any of our videos. Thank you.

@ryanpierce5460 Год назад

I've been a guitarist for over 25 years. I've played gigs via auto scroll on a tablet of the music in front of me. I played it in time and with a group just fine. My only hurdle I have as a musician. I'm terrible at committing music to memory. I can play anything in front of me easily but the memorizing I lack. That's an honest answer of my abiltites.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

People are often memorisers or readers.

@jytte47 2 года назад

I think that your advise are great especially for the piano (which I play) but for violin or viola there is another thing and that is the position of the hands. You start with the first position and suddenly the composer demands you to play the melody in another position on another string. So to remember this is without the score is very difficult for me

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

That’s a very good point.

@lavoxii 2 года назад

Thank you for the tips, my problem is to memoizes the lyrics, not so much the music. As English is not my first language, I tend to use an image to memorise the words or phrases, but it’s hard once come to the proposition words and the abstract words etc…have you any tips please?

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Look for patterns eg rhyming words. Associate words with the melody. Repetition.

@dcallan812 2 года назад

A very intersting video. I have seen players using an ipad with a footswitch to turn the page, just great if you dont tap your foot along with the tempo. 2x👍

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

They’re great for dealing with page turns on an iPad but yes, there are dangers!

@dricx-dance1418 2 года назад

Perfect 🤝🏽

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@victorquintana7913 Год назад

After being a musician for 60 years, I memorize music by the chords. One of the melody notes is generally one of the notes in the chord.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Absolutely

@VDHmain 2 года назад

I find that playing hard piano pieces from memory is quite easy because of all the work you put in it. Maybe it's because the piano is more visual and the clarinet more tactile, but I need a lot more work to play from memory on the clarinet than on the piano. Chords and scales are also much easier to play from muscle memory on the piano in my case, but maybe that's cause the clarinet is my second instrument.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Those are helpful observations. Maybe it’s worth trying to visualise the keyboard when you’re playing the Clarinet?

@billligon4005 Год назад

Also, I use 'Fourscore' on my Tablet with a foot pedal to change the page. Any suggestions to help coordinate this effort??

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Good idea. You soon get good at coordinating

@comfortizzi6993 3 месяца назад

Tutorial very valuable and interesting, just a beginer want to train my voice so l can sing.

@MusicMattersGB 3 месяца назад

That’s great.

@Dakamum 2 года назад

Good lesson.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@gotherecom 2 года назад

Good life-learning skills as well.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Absolutely true.

@surerdharay1627 2 года назад

It's very good job.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@nicholsonlawrance5821 2 года назад

Thanks!

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

A pleasure! Thank you very much for your generosity and support for the channel!

@shivampandey-hq1ns 2 года назад

Please make some videos on time signature simple and compound time and how to count .

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Thanks, we have some on the channel you can find linked below and also some more on the way. Simple & Compound Time Signatures: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qi6uuhU1unk.html How to Tell if Music is in Simple Time or Compound Time: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UqJxXH2voMI.html

@maciejfratczak4136 Год назад

human nature - you nailed it :)

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

😀

@ST52655 Месяц назад

I never needed to play from memory because I worked as church pianist and as an accompanist for choir, etc. I did play from memory when performing for piano competitions, though.

@MusicMattersGB Месяц назад

That’s great.

@karlrovey 3 месяца назад

Musically, I'm primarily an organist. Some organists memorize and some don't. As such, I don't play a lot of piano literature. However, I do play a lot of accompaniments. The more I can watch the conductor rather than the score, the better.

@MusicMattersGB 3 месяца назад

Absolutely

@jeremyoconnor169 Год назад

Sir, thanks for the tips. Please could you consider a video specifically for male voice choirs? We are mostly retirement ++ aged with dreadful memories and face the annual horror of learning new songs, sometimes in foreign languages, whilst trying to cling on to our repertoire. A large proportion don't read music as the effort of learning this is a distraction from the effort of memorising a part. We face the challenge when singing our parts, of being drawn to the melody and, when we are not accompanied, of maintaining pitch and getting lost in umms and aahs. There's so much to talk about and a huge and hungry audience for your thoughts.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Okay. Will give this some thought. There’s much to help at www.mmcourses.co.uk

@Darkfusion280 2 года назад

God did I need this video. Thank you.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

@oneeyemonster3262 2 года назад

I actually started memorizing music as a kid in MARCHING band due to NECESSITY of not stepping in POO during parades :-P I also a guitar player in bands. We practice A LOT..due to all the band members has to memorize their parts. I found it EASIER with a SINGER becuase I use WORDs in songs to help guide me play different parts/phrasing in songs...aside from drummer's clash/cymble to help me keep track. i also learn how to play the drum SET..which require me to keep count and use EVERY part of my body..I can actually toss , Twirl, and catch the sticks during songs. I drop the sticks MILLIONS of times before I got the hang of it. LOTS of practice. I also LEARN how to SING and play the guitar at the sametime.... which require me to memorize the words and music to thousands of songs. I also used to get paid the bucks. All my bosses wanted to drill/grill my brain for data. I was their information center back in the days. I was the guy that data input all the data into the PC..i also assigned data/code. i used to be able to tell you every nut/bolts/system in a 10 story power plant. later I got into electronics manufacturing. I was the manager..i can tell you every parts from thousands of different assembly from the top of my head...It required alot of READING, STUDYING and COMPREHENSION. I dont believe Im super smart. I'm truly AMAZE at the human's BRAIN and what it can do...if you USE it.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Some great reflections. I love the importance of memory to avoid stepping in poo!

@timbacchus Год назад

What messes me up in memory singing is when I have to sing a couple of songs that I do know and remember and then right after I have to sing a third song that I is new to me from memory. Very tuff.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Tricky one

@BRYDN_NATHAN 2 года назад

thank you 14:01 top five night reasons .. . /neighbors /cops ems /perfect pitch drum section /wifi connection /world time clock ✨👍✨

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@TheCompleteGuitarist Год назад

Yes you do need to play from memory because if you can't it means you don't know the music well enough. Memorizing is easy, play 1 bar or short phrase. When you have memorized it, add the next one. Don't continue until you have memorized each fragment you the you are on.Memorizing one bar at a time is effortless and you get to know the music at the same time.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

😀

@MarkHopewell Год назад

My personal view is that 'reading music' i.e. sight reading, is only useful to a point when coming to learn a new piece of music. I'm at a point where I feel I'd make more progress in playing once freed up from the chore of having to read the score and play it simultaneously. Where I've managed to liberate myself from this part of the learning process, that of learning a new piece, I find it much easier to move on once free from the onorous task of having to 'read and play'. I've come to the conclusion that it's a form of cognitive overload, that of visually tracking the score, analysing and assimilating it in real time and then if that isn't enough to contend with, then to play alongside those ongoing tasks. The playing itself e.g. fingering, tempo and dynamics etc are also a challenge in themselves. So by 'memorising' the score, or more challenging parts of a score, this enables or frees up my mind (cognitive capacity) so that I can enjoy playing the score without the frustrating process I find it can be.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

That’s a perfectly valid approach if one doesn’t want to sight read or to improve sight reading skills. Obviously the video is in response to the many people asking for advice in relation to wanting to build their sight reading capacity.

@mintonmiller 2 года назад

this was good. I did not hear anything I did not know, but the reinforcement is nice. I am legally blind and reading music, or in my case, lead sheets with lyrics and chords (my music ia a little more low brow than whay we are discussing here) is not an option. It is either memorize or just do not play. Lyrics are my problem because most of the stuff I play have a fairly simple music structure.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

I have taught a number of blind students. They have all been fantastic memorisers. As you say, there is no choice. Fantastic that blind people can work with sound

@ruramikael Год назад

I have a cinematographic memory; i.e. I can remember short dialogues between people, and I remember short snippets of my life (10 seconds long at the most), but remembering music in detail is really hard for me. I've been studying many years at the Uni. but never been good at remembering details. One of the few pieces I remmebr is Liszt's 1st Consolation, it is short and once when I was 21. I was asked (on the spot) to play something at a wedding dinner, and that was only rhing I could play from memory.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Some people find memory for music very difficult especially if they are good readers.

@ruramikael Год назад

@@MusicMattersGB I am really good at prima vista-playing, but that's it. As a composer, I start to think abour chord progressions and chord inversions. Not good for memorising apparently....

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Actually that can really assist memory.

@ruramikael Год назад

@@MusicMattersGB I agree in theory, but not for me.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

😀

@Rombizio 2 года назад

I memorize easily. And I forget very easily too. And that is the problem. I forget faster than I would like to, unless I play the piece everyday.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Repetition is important to deepen memory.

@Twentythousandlps 2 года назад

I think it is best to approach solo repertoire by actually starting with memorization, once you are able to play a piece (or a portion thereof) slowly and accurately. The reiteration at a slow tempo while memorizing helps solidify the technical foundation; it is best if you start with the most difficult passages. And it breaks altogether that dependence on the score that makes memorization difficult when it comes in as the last rather than the first stage of learning a piece.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

That’s a good plan that works for many. Much depends on whether one is naturally a reader or a memoriser as the first port of call.

@oreoandoz7723 7 месяцев назад

Drummers are probably the least likely to study the music as written. Trust me, though, it really really helps to write out your own tabs. Lots of online tabs are wrong. Different versions of a song (e.g., official music video vs album) are the bane of drummers. And if your kit has significant differences to the original drummer's (e.g., double bass kit vs single bass kit) your brain has to convert what to do anyway - might as well write it down. The write it out tip is really good, and especially, I want to say, for those least likely to use it: drummers.

@MusicMattersGB 7 месяцев назад

Very good point

@DrLogical987 2 года назад

So, here's a weird thing. I'm learning piano and saxophone. Everything I've learned (using sheet music) on piano, I can play from memory (till it starts to fade). But I can only vaguely remember sax tunes, and then mostly if they're songs. But even sax phrases take a lot more work to get to stick than piono phrases.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Sometimes the harmony helps the memory process

@robfairbrother3014 2 года назад

Same here. I don’t have much of a problem memorizing piano tunes and almost no trouble at all with guitar. But with sax, which I just took up earlier this year, I’m having a terrible time. My dominant memory technique is motor memory - finger patterns - so one would think that it would be easy on the sax.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

That suggests that your memory is assisted by having the harmonic framework.

@liellavi5722 2 года назад

Hi. I have a problem with the piano when I want to perform in front of someone at the piano I get stuck :( As if my brain freezes, what can I do to prevent this from happening? Thanks and sorry for the English :)

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

See our video on dealing with nerves.

@liellavi5722 2 года назад

@@MusicMattersGB Can I link? You have a lot of videos ...

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Here it is: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-32d3APsFdNI.html

@Robertbrucelockhart 2 года назад

I couldn’t play anything without memorizing. Memorizing is how I learn a piece, perhaps because I read music so very slowly that I basically have it stored in my long-term memory by the time I have figured out how to play it 😂. (I started playing piano one year ago, at the age of 63). One thing I have learned to be vigilant about: When you think you have a piece memorized, you very likely have missed something. So, as Gareth points out, if precision matters to you, don’t put the score away too early in in the memorizing process.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Very true.

@MarcosDana 2 года назад

Good tips, but I find doing it slow, slow and even slower helps to memorize it like nothing else.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

True

@mtaur4113 2 года назад

It's funny seeing Gareth level up his thumbnail meme face game.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@arthurinuk 2 года назад

I think I'm somewhere between analysis and motor memory. I'm also terrible for annotating the score in pencil.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@ericmirza9133 6 месяцев назад

I think all points covered

@MusicMattersGB 6 месяцев назад

😀

@MarkHopewell Год назад

So many of these YT presentations about this subject but to date I haven't seen a single application of these suggestions. By this I mean all we have is the 'theory', so to speak, but no practical demonstration of it. For example, this tutor could take a novice student and/or someone at Grade 3 to 5+ and make a presentation of those students trying to apply these techniques to a new piece of music. All this would enhance the learning experience.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

I’d love to do that. Unfortunately there are a number of practical reasons why this isn’t possible. A good number of people have told us that they have found the advice helpful in improving their sight reading skills so in that sense the video serves its purpose.

@MarkHopewell Год назад

@@MusicMattersGB I understand the impracticality of it with smaller studios. However, it would be interesting to see it put into practice where there's a wider more plentiful supply of students willing to act as examples. I've thought about making my own demonstration of it, though of course nowhere near the professional and competence level that you operate at, to say the least! Else, again, I can understand the constraints on logistics but what a shame when so much else is given the time and space to be demonstrated at the practical level.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

😀

@raphaelkasongo8377 Год назад

I’m able to play from memories but as I’m doing that, I can’t follow the score. I can’t read while really playing lol. I admire people who can read and play at the same time

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

Keep working at it. It will come

@southpark4151 2 года назад

The muscle memory that people keep talking about probably isn't 'muscle memory'. It's brain memory ----- the brain has somehow memorised the feeling and steps practised by our body ----- so the pattern becomes so familiar that playing the piece becomes like 'auto-pilot'. And auto-pilot is just fine for most cases ----- but is necessary to ensure that it is going to be reliable. As people have mentioned cases where auto-pilot failed during a performance (for some people --- maybe not all people) ----- and so they abruptly couldn't play the piece reliably when they all of a sudden had a memory lapse, or 'choked'. This isn't so bad for cases where this is understood ----- hence the need for back-up plans --- eg. plan B, and plan C, and incorporating all the other practice methods to ensure wheels don't fall off during a performance.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Absolutely

@southpark4151 2 года назад

@Stfu Stupid Memorising music that we really love - and fascinated about ---- is certainly easier and maybe less of a 'chore' than music that we need to learn - such as for work/performance. Know what you mean! Music Matters goes through the various points and tips excellently ---- the advice on how to cut down on chances of really bad situations during a performance. And even if for some reason a mistake is made --- being able to recover very effectively and continue on from it. Totally agree with you about how the brain and mind works. It is definitely fascinating!

@clivegovier2871 2 года назад

Here're some lyrics to Debussy's Reverie, in ABRSM Grade VIII - illustrating Gareth's teaching point: Poor Claud, With his head in the clouds in Paris (Par-ee) Forming symbols in the score. Meanwhile, in the mix of composers And the pride of performers Pushing back from the press of traditional French form. ( | 18) Magic, an impressionist colour and tone There’s no precedent And no parallel Such sublime sound Taking ever high ground Though tradition is strong And the rhythm seems wrong And envy wins. ( | 33) Skill, gift, and grit all are so prominent shade, colour, tone sing forth so dominant sheer beauty displayed And new standards unfurled Bringing joy to the Muse And to the world ( | 49) Feel the measure, count the beats Sense the pleasure, praise such feats 2-3 timings, hard to master Gentle tempo, shun the faster. Leisured counting’s sure descent Like a spiral half meant Meanwhile genius flaunts the progress Of obsessive subtle nuance. Feel the measure, count the beats Sense the pleasure, praise such feats of gentle somnolescent states Fresh new paths. ( | 72) Poor Claud, With his head in the clouds in Paris What great symbols in the score!? No one, in the mix of composers And the pride of performers Can retreat to the corners Of the ship of . . . . Feel the measure, count the beats Sense the pleasure, praise such feats of gentle somnolescent owning Transformed structure, toning home......... ( | 97)

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

Tremendous!

@alansach8437 2 года назад

How can you learn a piece without memorizing it? At least for me I can't read music fast enough to play it smoothly while reading. I have to memorize it and throw away (not literally) the music. Then I can play it smoothly.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

It’s possible to read and learn or to memorise and learn. It’s often the case that musicians are either primarily readers or memorisers.

@stephencarthew3870 11 месяцев назад

'Muscle memory' is metaphor it would be more useful to talk about where your fingers go. Second, talk about structure ignores chord progressions "Classical" method does too. But most players want to play music outside the classical repertoire, and learn memory playing far quicker by understanding chord progression and structure.

@MusicMattersGB 11 месяцев назад

Absolutely. Chord progression, melodic progression, structure all belongs to the muscle memory concept.

@PlayitonPan 2 года назад

🔥🙌🏾😎💫

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

😀

@nstrug 7 месяцев назад

"Most people don't need to memorise" Every jazz/blues/pop/rock/folk musician: "Uhm..."

@MusicMattersGB 7 месяцев назад

Arguably even they don’t NEED to memorise

@nstrug 7 месяцев назад

@@MusicMattersGB well, there's no technical reason to of course, but while I have been known to tape the odd chord chart to the stage where I can glance down at it - especially for tricksy jazzy changes, the convention is certainly that everything is memorised and for popular genres having music stands out would be seen as decidedly uncool! The exception seems to be for keyboardists who can get away with a chart. Good video though - one thing that I find interesting is that recall of memorised pieces seams to be context sensitive. Things that you might struggle to remember playing solo simply jump back into your fingers when playing in context with the rest of the band/ensemble etc.

@MusicMattersGB 7 месяцев назад

@nstrug That’s absolutely true

@heinvanmaarschalkerwaart9799 2 года назад

One should realise that reading notes is an intelectual skill. In second instance it can become an artistic skill when you are more developed.. Playing by ear is an art iself.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

All true.

@larrydean4433 2 года назад

But I notice this lessons not from memory. I was told many years ago that my ability to read music was going to get in my way with playing classical guitar from memory. He was correct.

@MusicMattersGB 2 года назад

It’s true that good readers are often less natural memorisers.

@williamburych2136 Год назад

I've always thought the best way to learn a piece of music was by starting at the end.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

It’s a great plan

@billligon4005 Год назад

So why is it that the Revolutionary and Ocean Etudes of Chopin and the Moonlight Sonata 3rd Mvt are so much EASIER to memorize that other music? AND HARDER TO PLAY?? I was not even trying to memorize them and it happened. How can I transfer that to 'other' music???

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

It’s all about recognising the patterns that are in use. In those examples, the patterns are very distinctive.

@billligon4005 Год назад

@@MusicMattersGB I've been looking for an answer to that question for years. Thank you answering it for me. A amateur piano hobbyist.

@MusicMattersGB Год назад

That’s great. Try one of our systematic courses at www.mmcourses.co.uk