Guitar chord forum - chordie — Memory man

Re: Memory man

null@example.com (alvee33) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:12:58 +0000

Thanks guys. I had never heard of Nashville Notation but it looks like it could become very useful. I'm not quite up to speed on my music theory but I know enough to get me there slowly (I look like Joey from Friends tyring to divide 300 by 13).

I have also found that recording yourself singing a song helps a lot since it forces you to really concentrate on the song and the structure of the progressions. Well, you want it to sound good - even if it is recorded just for yourself.

Thanks again, I'll keep at it,

Al V

Re: Memory man

null@example.com (ebigham1) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:23:31 +0000

Try practicing the songs with some chouds taken off the paper and slowly remove all chords. and do the same thing with the lyrics.

Re: Memory man

null@example.com (hewilson) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 23:51:06 +0000

As a 40 somthing fellow dementia sufferer, I share your problem. Have you tried writing the song out in 'nashville notation'? Its a type of shorthand that can shrink an entire song down to a paragraph size or less. I find it more usefull than having the whole tab in front of me and its usually enough to jar my memory.

Luck to you...

Re: Memory man

null@example.com (Roger Guppy) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:56:33 +0000

Hi Alvee33,

I must admit I have the same problem and I gave up trying to remember all the songs I know a long while ago.

I have them all written down and even when I am performing I have them in front of me. I understand that a lot of top professional performers will have a monitor screen at their feet doing the same thing unfortunately I can only afford to have them on paper.

Sorry this will not help improve your memory, it is a cheat, but is does help get the lyrics and chords right.

Roger

Re: Memory man

null@example.com (johncross21) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:00:22 +0000

my tips -

- get a exercise book - write the name of your song - write the chords down clearly - writing helps recall - focus on the progressions that make up the song (eg D G A )

- learn some musical theory - enough that you can work out the expected chords in any key - and analyse songs in terms of progressions (ie I, IV V) - you will find that if you can remember the key and any oddities you can quickly work out the chords.

- record the song and work out the chords from listening to the recording

- when learning a song make sure you understand the song - and all the metaphors etc

- then learn the rymes (if any) - the rest will follow

Re: Memory man

null@example.com (moddish) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:38:14 +0000

The way I commit the lyrics too memory it is by listening to the song over and over and learning one verse at a time. I dont think there's any other way tbh.

As for the chords? I have the same problem myself. Again, I'd just stick at memorising one small section at a time, building them up one section at a time untill you're not even thinking about what you're playing at all.

Craig.

Memory man

null@example.com (alvee33) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:17:08 +0000

Does anyone have any tips on imroving one's ability to remember words and chords?

I am pretty much ok with most chords and can barre fine but my problem is trying to remember a whole song from start to finish. I'm fine if I have a note of these next to me just to jog things along. I think it's mostly remembering the words that is the problem because that then puts you off and you start to fluff the chords too.

So is it just a matter of playing and singing a song over and over til it sticks or does someone out there have any secret recipe for such things?

I've also just turned 40 so maybe I'm a bit late trying to improve my memory. I can feel the dementia creeping in as I type.

All the best,

Al V