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).]
