Memorization - your strategy...

[groooooove]

I test my students by having them memorize music regularly - so I have a lot of experience with getting someone to successfully memorize things, in addition to memorizing music myself.

First rule - the more you understand the music on a large scale, the easier it is to memorize. this is where knowing theory and having good ears (from training, not birth!) will come in handy. Seeing the big picture - how is it structured? what parts are the same? how are they different (and why)? to give a really simple example, I was just working with a student on the duck Dunn bass part in the Aretha Franklin tune "think" from the blues brothers movie. Each verse they go up a half step. Trying to memorize that as a series of notes makes no sense - but knowing the groove, and the idea that you're just doing the same thing up one fret, makes it so easy to memorize it by reading this you just kinda did

after a basic idea of the big picture, stop trying to memorize it. play it over a few times, get it to work as best it possibly can - try new fingerings, whatever - really clean it up. by focusing on being musical you will inevitably put the music deep into your memory.

Whenever I give one of my memorization assignments, students who come back verbally saying the notes one after the other are rarely successful - and even if they are, when I ask them to play it, they're nearly never successful. On the other hand, students who just played it enough to get a sense of the music, often only need to repeat it 2-3 times before it is memorized.

 

[Chef]

Charting things helps me with learning them.
That and reps.

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.

 

[bobdabilder]

I write each section of the song out
Intro: a, c#, e
Verse 1: blah blah blah.

Then i memorize the intro and v1
Then tack on one more piece until i have the whole song memorized.

I look and see where my differences are and create acronyms for those
Bridge 2: Charlie Gets Bad Grades
Or whatever.
Work on it for half hour then walk away for 10 minutes. usually when i come back, i have it memorized. i have found that the more intricate the song (where i have to learn a solo for example), the rest of the song falls into place. i try to play a position on the fb unless the song calls for something else.

 

[Rayjay]

It depends on how you are presented with the learning material.

Typical for the music I'm involved in for the band leader to provide links to recordings of the music. Usually for me that's YouTube or Spotify. At any rate, my preference is for everyone to have a recording to listen to.

I also prefer charts. Let me elaborate - the bands I play with range with player ability. The lesser of the bands provide charts so there is no excuse for playing the wrong way - if you weren't sure if there was a double chorus here or an odd-bar phrase there, it's all defined. To the more advanced bands, often there is no chart because the players are perfectly capable of transcribing themselves.

Now, for the memorization. The best way to do this, hands down in my opinion, is to listen with intent. Learn what the song is about, learn the lyrics, learn the melody, learn what all the instruments are doing (no need to be proficient at their parts, just aware of them). I guarantee, nothing will make memorization come together like that. A dedicated 20 minutes here and there is all you need. By the time you hear a song a dozen times, you'll be a master at it.

That will also help you out immensely when it comes to transposing, should you be asked to do it. All of the preceding is also related to the usual - studying your theory so that you can play by ear.

You see, here is the real key. You see all these cats playing complicated jazz tunes for a living. A lot of times, they just met the people onstage as they were setting up for the gig. So how do they all know all the changes to all those tunes? There's like a million chords per jazz tune!

Its simple. They don't have ... example C#13b9 to Bbmaj7 to Eminb5b9 to this to that in their heads. No way. They simply have - the sound of the song in their heads. The melody, the sound of the changes, the lyrics, etc. They are continuously transcribing the tune in their head, because the have great ears.

To people who are masters, its as simple as telling a story or having a conversation. You hear an idea in your head, and you put it to words.

Hope this helps!

 

[NOVAX]

ABACAB

 

[KevInDaBassment]

If I have time to spare (like, a week or two and if I'm just starting in a new band) I will listen to nothing but their songs when I'm commuting to work. This sort of bakes it into my subconscious and helps me get the transitions and changes down easier. That way when I sit down to play them, I'm more familiar with the tunes and sort of know the direction they are going in (i.e. - verse two times, chorus, bridge, verse, etc.).

When it comes to the notes, I try and break them into a digestible pattern that repeats. If it's I-IV-V, I-III-V or something like that, I memorize that "sentence" and how often it repeats. Funny thing is, the more memorable lines that aren't as pattern driven are easier for me to remember. I can still remember how to play Limelight by Rush but will probably get lost trying to remember whatever random Ramones tune.

I can sight read if I have to, but I don't care for it. Makes me feel far too disengaged with the crowd and doesn't generally make for a good show :/

 

[dindinbre]

I have entire songs in my head, after a few listens I know all sections of songs. Only thing I need is to know the key and I am good to go.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

This depends if I'm playing a set arrangement allowing no variation, or if I'm free to as an artist to create.

The first thing I do regardless is to break the songs down into segments. Intro-how many verses-pre chorus if any-choruses-tag if any-ending. Then build each segment. Polish each, then play it top to bottom.

If it's a set arrangement note for note, if free form, it becomes more of a rough outline until I can get a good handle on what the other players are doing, and what the needs of the bass part is. Usually, I have a good idea going in however bassed on the rhythm of the melody line and the chord progressions.

In either event, this is a much easier process than going from start to finish over and over again learning by rote.

 

[Raulplaysbass]

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.

I found myself between careers for a bit and decided to work in cover bands full time for a little while. Been in cover bands for many years just not full time and not in classic rock/pop. My 1st gig/audition was filling in with a very well established band and I had 3 days to learn a 160 song list that they would pull 40-50 songs from. I didn't want to blow my chance. I had heard all the songs just never learned them. I was a little overwhelmed. So, I sat down with each one of them and charted them out on a excel spreadsheet. Just going through that process helped/helps me memorize them and only needed to glance at the spreadsheet briefly. I transferred them to an iPad since and still use that method. Works for me!

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

When I need to learn new songs, I start by listening to them in a loop during the day; while doing other things. That plants the songs into my brain. When I sit down to practice the songs, I kind-a know them already, and playing them on the bass gets much easier.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I sat down with each one of them and charted them out on a excel spreadsheet. Just going through that process helped/helps me memorize them and only needed to glance at the spreadsheet briefly.

Could you do a quick screenshot of a chart for us please?

 

[Raulplaysbass]

Could you do a quick screenshot of a chart for us please?

Here ya go!
I = Intro
V = Verse
C = Chorus, etc

 

[JimmyM]

View attachment 3155514
Here ya go!
I = Intro
V = Verse
C = Chorus, etc

Well I guess all that's important is if you understand it

 

[bumperbass]

View attachment 3155514
Here ya go!
I = Intro
V = Verse
C = Chorus, etc

Man, wouldn't I have a blast trying to read that while copping a groove! Yeah, a real blast because I'd be laughing my butt off until they threw me out of the band.

 

[bumperbass]

View attachment 3155514
Here ya go!
I = Intro
V = Verse
C = Chorus, etc

This would not work for me. Too jumbled together. I'd need one whole sheet for each song.

 

[somebrains]

I must be getting old or something, but this is what I'm used to: Play sheets over and over again until you see everything you've been working on for months in your sleep. You power thru it an hour a day in school + an hour home practice until you stop losing your seat or the threats that you'll get kicked out of jazz band stop.

Is this not how kids are being taught music anymore?
Like actual sheets?
I get being given changes and 12-bars to solo so you aren't just reproducing Coltrane.
I guess I need 12- blank bars if I'm sitting down the row and don't get to solo.

 

[Raulplaysbass]

Man, wouldn't I have a blast trying to read that while copping a groove! Yeah, a real blast because I'd be laughing my butt off until they threw me out of the band.

This would not work for me. Too jumbled together. I'd need one whole sheet for each song.

I get it. I grew up playing by ear, didn't learn to read music. I wish I had, but admittedly I'm lazy! So this is what I came up with. I've heard all the material a million times so I just needed a note reference at times as I'm not looking at it the entire song. My church has lead sheets (1 song per page as you mentioned) and they have all the lyrics with the lettered note reference above the lyric when the change occurs, but I didn't want that many pages. That list grew from 160 to 300 by the end of the time I played with them. Good times!

Cheers!

 

[SteveCS]

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've also found this to be a very effective method. I often start with a hand-written chord outline, using manuscript paper, adding bar lines. I add basic rhythmic structures and first notes for each bar. This gets copied to MuseScore where, according to complexity I either print a simple chart or write out the entire part in standard notation, including fills and decorations, etc.

Another approach I've used on occassion, where accurate note for note matters, is to import an audio file into my DAW and write the part there, so that I can listen to my intended part alongside the recording and adjust in real time. I then transfer to MuseScore via MIDI and use that for generating a good looking score.

I've also tried capturing MIDI from the bass to create initial scores but so far the results have been 'mixed'.

Ultimately, I find the process of writing and reviewing, by whatever means, to be more effective than constantly just playing along hoping for something to stick.

As for 'getting the soul of the song' into my head, I just have the tunes loaded on a USB stick in the car and on my phone, and just listen to them. The writing of charts ensures I remember the what and when, my ears give me the ideas for the 'how'.

 

[IamGroot]

All of the above....plus....
1) Can you explain the song verbally?
Key, Meter, Tempo ?
What is the overall song form? (i.e A B A')
Intro?
Verse?
Chorus?
Repeats?
Solos ( how many measures)
Outro?
Signature riffs?
Etc.
2) Can you sing the melody?
3) Do you recognize/ understand the chord patterns. 1 4 5. 2 5 1, 3 6 2 5, etc.

I am relearing the jazz standards right now. Learning smart is my new creed. Brute repetition is not an option.

I am also doing piano and voice. When I start Bach WTC, i will get back on this.

On voice, the method I am taught is to learn in this order:
1 Lyrics...be able to recite at much faster tempo than actual while retaining the right emotional tone.
2 Rhythm
3 Melody, no words. All nuances.
4 Breathing points
5 Actual singing.

When you sing a designated piece, it is expected that you will have the piece fully memorized at the first teaching session or else.

 

[Badwater]

It all depends on what you're playing.
If it's music and songs, memorize the melody, and the structure of the song. Know where you are in the music, or where your place is in the song.