There is a lot of time we’re away from our instruments. Valuable time we wish we could be practicing. Who says we can’t practice when we don’t have our instruments though?
I get some of my mot valuable practice time when I don’t have my instrument in my hands. This is partly due to the fact I really have to concentrate to see the instrument in my mind.
When a guitar is in your hands it’s too easy to space out and think about other things. Ideally, you would see the guitar in your head as you play. The intention is to keep your mind from wandering. More in this later…
In My Room
If you asked a guitarist to name some of the most valuable skills for their instrument it is unlikely you wouldn’t hear the words “memorization”.
Often guitarists get caught in the world of scales, bends, picking and pull offs. I’m not saying these skills are not important because they are.
In order to move from bedroom guitarists to gigging guitarist, your memory skills are going to need a workout.
Remembering song arrangements is an extremely important element to making music. Often this skill is not worked on until a guitarist starts playing with other musicians. This is waiting to long. You can’t really begin to understand music until you understand arrangements. Learning one riff to a song is the equivalent to tasting only the sauce that comes with BBQ ribs. It’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Repetition
There is the belief that just playing a song over and over again is the best approach to memorization. This is referred to as rote memorization.
I find this to be a in-efficient method. It’s not effective for good long term memory.
Instead, I like to use a Story Board based system. It’s basically like creating a story from start to finish that follows the arrangement of the song. It includes visuals that relate to each specific song.
This creates a much deeper connection to the song. You can find out more about my memorization techniques for music in my book.
How does one practice building these skills aside from learning new songs? I have found a few apps for the ipad and iphone that will assist in developing a strong memory.
Memory Matches 2
I use the app Memory Matches 2. It’s a memory card game. You’re presented with 16 cards. You flipcards over and have to remember them until you find a match.
Many are familiar with this game. How does one tie this in with music though? We’re going to create stories in a similar fashion as we would for song arrangement.
I’ll walk you though it. Let’s create a story.
Card 1:
One of the Villaige People
Card 2:
Is subbing for Santa Claus
Card 3:
but doesn’t know how to fly the sleigh fast
Card 4:
So he asks NASA to borrow a rocket
Card 5:
But he doesn’t know how to fly that fast either
Card 6:
So the construction worker shakes the glitter off his hat
Card 7:
and throws the santa suit in the recycling cans
Car 8:
in front of Chef Boyardee cafe that.
Card 9:
Uses a solar panel to power a grill
Card 10:
to make a 3 ft hotdog
Card 11:
Chef walk out front to recycling cans
Card 12:
pulls santa suit out
Card 13:
has idea to use power cable from the solar panel
Card 14:
Charges rocket and delivers gifts
Card 15:
eats a hotdog while flying it to show off (what a jerk)
Card 16
Chef is now revered as a genius despite his cooking (not the best chef).
Without looking back, how much of this story can you remember? I bet more then you realized. Much more then if yo were to just remember verse, chorus, verse, bridge, chorus, outro.
Now, imagine if you could tie this with songs? The stories you make up don’t have to be directly related to the song. You can make up your own wacky tale.
Tip: the more ridiculous it is, the eager to remember. Let your twisted, perverted minds have a field day.
Tip 2: Keep the stories to yourself. You don’t want people to know what you really think.
Use Your Imagination
This is a creative way to memorize songs. Good thing that musicians are creative types.
I suggest using this Matches 2 app on a daily basis, even if it’s only for 5 minutes each session. You will consistently build on this new skill.
Don’t worry about the timer. How fast you create and remember the story isn’t important. It’s only important that you create a good enough visual story to stick.
Play 1 game. Then put your iDevice down. Walk away. Get a glass of water. Do you still remember the story in 10 minutes? How about in an hour?
Over time, your skill at creating powerful images and speed will increase.
Most importantly, you’ll be able to remember songs without a cheat sheet onstage.
