1 Topic by alvee33 (edited by alvee33 2007-06-26 08:17:53)

  • From: Renfrewshire, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,359

Topic: Memory man

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

Is anything really made up of zeros and ones??

alvee33's Website

  • From: Scotland.
  • Registered: 2006-07-13
  • Posts: 218

Re: Memory man

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.

Blind acceptance is a sign, of stupid fools who stand in line.  John Lydon.

'Mod' is a shorter word for 'young, beautiful and stupid' - we've all been there." - Pete Townshend.
  • From: Orpington London
  • Registered: 2006-10-22
  • Posts: 390

Re: Memory man

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

johncross21's Website

  • From: Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
  • Registered: 2006-09-02
  • Posts: 6,198

Re: Memory man

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

"Do, or do not; there is no try"

Roger Guppy's Website

  • From: Powder Springs, Ga., USA
  • Registered: 2007-04-08
  • Posts: 54

Re: Memory man

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...

  • From: Camden, SC
  • Registered: 2006-03-19
  • Posts: 95

Re: Memory man

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

  • From: Renfrewshire, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,359

Re: Memory man

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

Is anything really made up of zeros and ones??

alvee33's Website