Memorization - your strategy...

[MultiScaleMale]

Memorization is definitely my weak point when it comes to playing. Not quite "technique", but I think this forum is most appropriate. What is your strategy when memorizing a new song? How long does it stick with you?

Memorize note for note?
Memorize chords for each section and then the section layouts?
Memorize certain patterns on the fingerboard?
Muscle memory?
Photographic memory?

I used to go with note for note memorization but that was mostly because of my initial musical background playing trumpet with parts well written and you need to play exactly what's written. For the longest time I guess I went with muscle memory or patterns even though I can read well. But that had limitations and took a long time. Now, much like memorizing a sentence is easier than memorizing numbers because it tells a story, I memorize chord progressions and then the patterns within those chords. Complicated passages fall back to a note for note memorization or if it falls within a pentatonic pattern, then maybe I'll memorize the pattern.

Anyways, memorization is something I need to work on.

 

[Stumbo]

"Natural" musicians that I know have songs in their head and make their fingers or voices go where necessary. And remember songs like remembering how to breathe.

Otherwise, having charts is probably the best long term solution.

Trying to brute force muscle memory is probably good enough for bands with a pretty much fixed set list.

Unfortunately, Unlike classical or jazz musicians, rock stars are mostly rocks if you have to use a charts.

Maybe an iPad on a mic stand might get you by.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

"Natural" musicians that I know have songs in their head and make their fingers or voices go where necessary. And remember songs like remembering how to breathe.

Otherwise, having charts is probably the best long term solution.

Trying to brute force muscle memory is probably good enough for bands with a pretty much fixed set list.

Unfortunately, Unlike classical or jazz musicians, rock stars are mostly rocks if you have to use a charts.

Maybe an iPad on a mic stand might get you by.

Oh, my iPad is like a sixth sense. I can pull up any chart at will and have a library of about 1500 common bar band songs. Others I just pull up from Ultimate Guitar. Then I can play through songs that I've never played before. I'm not dancing around on stage, so the iPad isn't all that bad. Pros use the monitor wedges that are really disguised teleprompters, so I don't feel too bad about it. Now, if I'm the backing band for artist X and we're touring, I'll memorize everything. But in the scenario of subbing for a gig this Friday, nah, I'm not going to memorize all that.

 

[Groove Doctor]

The process of writing a chord chart helps to reinforce it. Song structure, chords, number of bars, rhythm patterns & (some) bass notes, dynamics, and the first few lyrics that start each section.

I'll circle important landmark bits or anywhere I've made a mistake eg. Key changes, changes in time signature, variations in bass part on repeating, etc.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The process of writing a chord chart helps to reinforce it. Song structure, chords, number of bars, rhythm patterns & (some) bass notes, dynamics, and the first few lyrics that start each section.

I'll circle important landmark bits or anywhere I've made a mistake eg. Key changes, changes in time signature, variations in bass part on repeating, etc.

I think physically writing it helps tap into a part of my brain developed prior to laptops and iPads everywhere. If I try to remember 1 5 6 4 - 4x in key of G, I'll probably not remember it. If I write it down, then it is more likely to stick with me.

 

[DirtDog]

Repetition. Visualization.

And breaking tunes down into their simplest components. Sometimes that's a progression, sometimes a riff, sometimes it's just a feel.

I just don't have it in me to memorize in a rote manner.

 

[Groove Doctor]

But in the scenario of subbing for a gig this Friday, nah, I'm not going to memorize all that.

Sub gigs are a different strategy - Song structures, intros/endings, the right feel for the bass part, plus cheat sheet or basic outline onstage for tricky songs (just in case). Done.

IRealB is convenient but I've never remembered songs when playing off those.

Developing your ear to hear the chord progressions (I ii IV V etc) is vital and it's what I use 90% of the time to memorise.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Sub gigs are a different strategy - Song structures, intros/endings, the right feel for the bass part, plus cheat sheet or basic outline onstage for tricky songs (just in case). Done.

IRealB is convenient but I've never remembered songs when playing off those.

Developing your ear to hear the chord progressions (I ii IV V etc) is vital and it's what I use 90% of the time to memorise.

I realized far too late that "playing by ear" is best done by hearing chord progressions rather than trying to hear intervals. If it's major, it's 1 4 or 5, minor 2 3 6 or maybe 7. Watching the guitar chords can give clues and also hearing the usual guitar chord shapes. CAGED and F, plus the minors. Far better success than "Hey, that's an F".

 

[Mushroo]

YMMV. For me personally, the key skills are 1) singing, and 2) transcription.

 

[Stumbo]

YMMV. For me personally, the key skills are 1) singing, and 2) transcription.

If you can sing a song, you can play it.

That takes memorizing lyrics and chords. Some can, some can't.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I listen to a song over and over, I have to get it into my head. Then I play it. Eventually it clicks. Playing trains you brain and eventually you have muscle memory. You can play the song without thinking about it. I've had old songs that I once knew how to play but can no longer remember how it was done. Start playing and the muscle memory kicks in. Before long, I'm playing it again.

 

[sean_on_bass]

If you can sing a song, you can play it.

That takes memorizing lyrics and chords. Some can, some can't.

Agreed. If i know a song in my head that i am playing for the first time, i am ten times more likely to succeed very quickly. Shows the importance of being an avid music listener, particularly of the style you are striving to gig on.

 

[two fingers]

Repetition.

1) Hack through a little bit of it by ear, and maybe make a chart. That way, when I'm listening to it later I at least roughly know the key and chord changes so my brain can "stew" on them.

2) Listening to the song(s) over and over. I aleeady have a "rough draft" of the part in my head. Listening over and over gets the order and nuances of the bass line (and in my case usually a vocal part) embedded in my brain.

3) Nail down the details. If it's a complicated song, a detailed chart. If not, just banging out the bassline note for note.

4) More listening and more playing along with the song. If I sing it, I'll usually find a karaoke version to play through my practice PA. I'll dial out most of the bass in the playback. Then I'll play bass and sing over the rest of the song.

For repetitive listening, I run earbuds down my back and into my pocket where my phone plays the setlist over and over while I work. I usually keep one bud in and one out. That way, if someone speaks to me I can hear them and respond.

 

[Jase The Bass]

I learn a song in sections. When one section is down, learn the next, then play section 1 and 2. Learn the 3rd section, then play 1, 2, and 3. So on and so forth until you can play the entire song. Then practice the beginning AND ending of the song until your brain melts. Take one day's break from it, go back and play the song from memory. This is tell you where your trouble spots are.

 

[scuzzy]

I mostly get by with shapes on the fretboard, but it bites me in the rear on occasion.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I mostly get by with shapes on the fretboard, but it bites me in the rear on occasion.

Especially when you use open strings and then they decide to transpose. Ugh!

 

[Joe Nerve]

"Natural" musicians that I know have songs in their head and make their fingers or voices go where necessary. And remember songs like remembering how to breathe.

This is true, but IME only partly. I don't think it's a special gift that some have and others don't. I think all that's necessary is a half decent ear, and lots and lots and lots of practice.

My ear was always "OK," but I was never one of the guys who could do the above. Until the pressure started getting put on my bigtime, about a year and a half ago. I've been playing in a band now where I have to learn anywhere from 2 to 8 songs a week, and play them flawlessly by the weekend (with no rehearsals). I was forced to find new ways. I started listening to whatever songs I had/have to learn, relentlessly - and doing the best I can to figure them out WITHOUT a bass in my hands. For me that means while driving.

When I first started doing that, I was way off. After doing it hundreds of times, and checking the fingering/fretboard I was imagining in my head when listening - intervals started to be a lot easier to recognize. It took a while, but I started to be able to listen to songs in my car, and then come home and be able to just play right along. I couldn't do that 2 years ago - point being, it's a skill that CAN be learned.

As far as memorization goes - I don't read, and for some reason charts make it impossible for me to ever remember. If I chart a song out, I'll have to always use the chart, and I don't like doing that. Doing the above, and developing my ear - I now only have to get the song embedded in my head. That's easy. I just listen to it 100X . Then the rest happens as Stumbo said - the fingers just go where they're supposed to, cuz they're trained to.

That's what works for me.

I think the key is in trying everything, remaining open minded, and committing to success. Patience helps a lot too.

 

[bumperbass]

I listen to a song over and over, I have to get it into my head. Then I play it. Eventually it clicks. Playing trains you brain and eventually you have muscle memory. You can play the song without thinking about it. I've had old songs that I once knew how to play but can no longer remember how it was done. Start playing and the muscle memory kicks in. Before long, I'm playing it again.

I could have written your post, beans!

 

[Element Zero]

I just play the songs I'm learning over and over and over again. To learn most of the few hundred classic rock, worship, and country tunes I know I usually play them 20-30 times before I'm really comfortable. Now of course this is done on my own time BEFORE any of my bands has an actual "rehearsal".

 

[bumperbass]

figure them out WITHOUT a bass in my hands.

When I first started doing that, I was way off. After doing it hundreds of times, and checking the fingering/fretboard I was imagining in my head when listening - intervals started to be a lot easier to recognize. It took a while, but I started to be able to listen to songs in my car, and then come home and be able to just play right along. I couldn't do that 2 years ago - point being, it's a skill that CAN be learned.

As far as memorization goes - I don't read, and for some reason charts make it impossible for me to ever remember. If I chart a song out, I'll have to always use the chart, and I don't like doing that. Doing the above, and developing my ear - I now only have to get the song embedded in my head. That's easy. I just listen to it 100X . Then the rest happens as Stumbo said - the fingers just go where they're supposed to, cuz they're trained to.

That's what works for me.

I think the key is in trying everything, remaining open minded, and committing to success. Patience helps a lot too.

Spot on, Mr. Nerve. Learning the soul of a song cannot be expressed in charts. I can't feel my part in a song if I use a chart.
The only thing I might do is scribble down a few notes on paper when I get to a part that doesn't automatically come to me, but eventually I don't need the 'coaching' anymore.
I hear the same thing with vocalists who get into a bad habit of needing the words un front of them to sing them. You can't sing a song like it's supposed to be sung if you memorize the words.