A Master of Memorization

Memorization, and whether it is an essential skill, is slightly controversial in the world of music. There are those who will never perform with sheet music and teach their students the same. On the other end are those that don’t see the importance and go to no great lengths to memorize the music.

It is true that memorizing music is necessary in order for us to absolutely know and feel the music in our souls. And music that can be felt in one’s soul definitely creates for the listener a more poignant, transcendent experience.

But it’s better to share your gift not fully memorized than it is to never share.

I’ve been on both ends of this swinging pendulum. Memorization was once a simple thing for me. Once I learned the music, it was memorized. Now, I use all the memorization tricks I have ever learned and still have trouble memorizing. It is much more common to see me performing with sheet music than memorized.

However, using the memorization tips I share here – even if you plan to perform with the sheet music – will at the very least help you to better understand the music, be more confident in playing it, and play it from the heart. Here are my best tips:

1. Play the piece on a tabletop (or your lap), hearing the rhythm only. Try to hear the melody in your mind.
2. Play on a digital piano or keyboard with the volume turned down.
3. Play a recording of the same piece and play along with it.
4. Play the music with your eyes closed.
5. Choose one phrase, or part of a phrase (4-8 measures long). Play it with the music, then without. Repeat this (once with, once without) until you can play it confidently. Move to another phrase. When you have memorized the second phrase, combine the two and follow the same pattern.
6. Write as much of the melody as you can remember on a blank sheet of manuscript paper without looking at the original.
7. Identify the chords and chord progressions in the piece. Without looking at the music, write them out on a piece of manuscript paper.
8. Play the right hand alone while shadowing (touching the keys without making sound) the left hand. Then play left hand while shadowing the right hand.
9. Practice with the metronome set at a painfully slow speed. Gradually increase the speed as you develop stronger muscle memory. Never play it faster than it can be played perfectly.
10. Label different sections of your piece (A, B, C or 1, 2, 3 etc.). Have someone randomly call out a section to see if you can jump right to it.
11. Listen to a recording of your piece and play along on your lap or on a table.
12. Visualize your performance in detail, from the moment you stand up to walk to the stage to the moment you return to your seat.

With enough practice, you can confidently perform your piece memorized!