News and Views   Please subscribe, share, comment!

Advice on how to avoid memory slips

Posted in Play: March 2014

" No one is ever completely free of the fear of memory slips. Every performer, no matter how accomplished or how experienced, has had to deal with a memory slip at some point."  Stewart Gordon

Memorization seems particularly vulnerable when we are anxious or worried, because it has difficulty focusing clearly and recalling the patterns it needs. 
When you have a memory slip, don`t stop! The best choice is to improvise in the style of the piece until the "next" start-up point. 

The memory has to be exercised and developed on a regular basis to function at a high level during performance. Here are some strategies:

1. First analyze the musical structure 
What`s the overall form? Where do phrases begin and end? Is there repetition even with small variation? Do you detect rhythmic, harmonic or melodic patterns?

2. Start with a plan
Break the material down into small units that seem easy. After ingraining segments A and B individually, execute A-B once. Next, ingrain segments C and D. Run C-D and then execute A-B-C-D. 

3. Avoid trying to take in too much at once
Our brain can store only a finite amount at a time. For this reason we should have a balance between work and rest.

4. Do mental rehearsals
Perform the entire piece as well as selected sections from different areas of a piece. Play in a slow, moderate and final tempo. 

5. Use multiple memory types

Aural memory- remember how the music sounds.
Visual/Photographic memory- remember the score and see it in your head when you are playing.
Tactile/Muscle memory- your hands and fingers "know" the music.
Conceptual memory- remember the structure of music.