Here is a strategy for memorizing music from Vera F. Birkenbihl, in response to a client's question on how to memorize music.

1. PRIMING: learn how the music is supposed to sound before you begin to learn it.

2. Learn extremely S L O W  so that nerve paths can be built. It simply takes time and energy.

3. Change between REAL - MENTAL - REAL - MENTAL (do it for a few bars, think yourself doing it as intensely as possible, do it, think etc. etc.)

4. Change speed, loudness, etc. You learn better with many variations than by playing/singing identically each time.

5. Exercise often but only for short periods as long as you are in the BEGINNER phase of a particular
piece. Once you are familiar and working on details you may practice for hours a day. But in the beginning, only 10 - 15 minutes at a time. Wait at least 4 to 5 hours before re-starting--until you start feeling a FAMILIAR with the piece. Then you are reinforcing nerve paths--play/sing as long as you like.

6. Have fun through the entire process.

[This message has been edited by Sandy Millies (edited September 04, 2003).]

thnx! it's great to see this forum get a lil more active again

BTW, I was wondering.. is it good to wait at least 4 to 5 hours before re-starting when it comes to any proper learning and not just learning a song? also when you say do Real - Mental - Real .. are we supposed to pickup where we left off like for instance if we left doing a Real unit we would continue after the break by doing a Mental unit?

[This message has been edited by gelvecron (edited September 08, 2003).]

Good questions! For learning any new skill, not just music, work in small modules at first, taking time off in between learning sessions. Review the Training and Know-How section of the manual.

Moving from real to mental rehearsal means going over the same piece, rather than picking up where you left off. For example, select a few bars of music and play them very slowly. Next, repeat the action, again very slowly, but this time do it mentally. Imagine what finger you put on the key or string, how much pressure you use, for how long, etc.

[This message has been edited by Sandy Millies (edited September 09, 2003).]

ok thnx.. it usually takes me like 3 minutes to go thru the proper learning process.. i'm gonna slow down.

gelvecron