On Memorizing Music

“I’d like you to perform your music from memory.” Oftentimes, these words tend to trigger anxiety and weeks of stress to music students of all ages and abilities. In this post, we'll dig into a brief history of memorization, and ways to make this challenge easier and more fun.

What is memorization in music?
Memorization in music simply means being able to play a piece without looking at the music.

Who needs to memorize music?
Generally, all musicians playing as a soloist will perform from memory. If a musician is playing with an accompanist (i.e. vocalist, violinist, clarinetist, etc.), the soloist will typically have their music memorized, but the accompanist will not. If an individual is playing in front of an orchestra - like in the case of a concerto, the featured performer should have their music memorized, as well. Not everyone needs to memorize music for performance, however. Ensembles like duets, quartets, or symphony orchestras, traditionally do not memorize their music. 

Why do we do this in the first place?
We didn’t always memorize music. Beginning in the Romantic Era, composers began writing “art for art’s sake”, and took more time to produce and finesse their work. This gave touring performers like Nicolo Paganini, Franz Liszt, and Clara Schumann more time with their repertoire, and established memorizing music as a customary practice. These artists changed the way music was performed.

​What are the benefits of memorizing music?

• Increased expression and artistry
• Faster speed and agility
• Consistent note accuracy
• By digging deeper, you’ll begin to internalize your music
• Eliminates anxiety about losing your place or stressful page turns
• Increased confidence by knowing you can play a piece when you sit at ANY piano you come across

I've never memorized anything. How do I do it? 
There is not one fail-proof method that works for everyone. The best way to memorize your music is to spend time with it. Here are some ways to make memorizing more of a game and less of a chore:

1. A Minute to Win It. Set your timer to 1:00. You get 1 minute to work on memorizing each measure. When the timer goes off, reset it and move on to measure 2.
2. Back It Up. Start from the end of your piece and work your way backwards.
3. 10-Penny Challenge. Start with 10 pennies at the left side of your music stand, and choose 1-4 measures to work on. If you can play that passage perfectly without mistakes, you get to move one penny to the right side of your music stand. If you make a mistake, you have to start over. Continue this until you can play it 10 times in a row.
4. Analyze This. Look at your music away from the piano. Do you see patterns? Do you know the music well enough to be able to sing it in your head (or out loud)?
5. Leave It To Fate. Mark the sections in your piece, and label them A, B, C, etc. Write these letters on slips of paper, fold them, and place them in a bag. Choose one at random and see if you can play your piece starting from that point!
6. Operation: Warp Speed. How far can you make it while playing at half speed? Twice the speed?
7. Hop Scotch. Place your music flat on the floor (face up). Toss a penny onto your music and play from wherever fate has chosen!