Part Nine: Why Memorize Music?

BY MEGHAN VANCE • May 20, 2024

In this series we’ve focused on how we memorize music and techniques to use while practicing. But the rise of the personal computer has given rise to questions. “Why bother to memorize information if we can just look it up?” “Isn’t it now more beneficial to teach research skills and critical thinking skills than memorization skills?” And for musicians with digital music and page-turning pedals, performing with music is suddenly much easier than in the past. Is performing by memory really worth all the work?

WHY NOT TO MEMORIZE MUSIC

Before we get into all the reasons why memorizing music can be good, let’s talk about some reasons you might choose not to perform by memory:

Of course, even if you don’t plan to perform by memory, you can still use memory techniques as you practice to help you learn your song well and to keep your memory skills sharp.

MEMORIZE MUSIC TO STRENGTHEN YOUR BRAIN

“Educators have found that students who were required to memorize from an early age often go on to have more capacity to focus on educational tasks as high school and college students,” writes Dr. Enamul Hoque, in his article on memorization. You’ve probably heard it before like this: the brain is a muscle too, and needs to be exercised. Similarly, Monica Savage, for ELearning Industry, and William R. Klemm, for The Journal Of Effective Teaching, both agree that students learn by associating new ideas with old ideas. As you move musical ideas into your long-term memory, you have information to build on and new connections to make. Not only can memorizing your music improve your ability to learn new music, it can also deepen your appreciation of music.

MEMORIZE MUSIC TO FREE YOUR BRAIN

Natalie Wexler, for Forbes, writes that “Memorizing facts is generally seen as less important than developing skills like critical thinking. In fact, though, having information stored in your memory is what enables you to think critically.” She goes on to cite a study which showed expert chess players chose better moves not because they were better at analytical thinking, but because they had memorized a vast knowledge of chess positions, which left more room in their working memory to absorb and analyze new information. Likewise, Dr. Enamul Hoque writes, “If foundational concepts and information are grasped, students can move on to bigger and better things, rather than spending time looking up words or doing simple math in a calculator.”

Of course, musicians performing with the music aren’t stopping to look up terms, but for musicians it can be easy to focus on the printed visual instructions rather than the finished audial product. Donovan Stokes, for No Treble makes this clear: “No longer chained to reading the printed page, the performer can put their attention to aspects of tone, technique, musicality, and nuance more completely. This is helpful not just in performance, but also in the practice room. Great strides in tone production and intonational accuracy more easily occur with memorized music than when we are print-reliant.”

Stokes also suggests that performers can be better band-mates when they play by memory: “Additionally, when rehearsing or performing with others we may find we are more acutely aware of what they are doing, and are thus more able to respond musically.” Even solo performers can use this idea by extending their attention to the audience. Good public speaker don’t read their speech without looking up once from the page; they work to connect with their audience through eye contact, movement, and body language. You can too.

MEMORIZE YOUR MUSIC TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE

In the music world, memorized performances are still often required for auditions, contests, and professional performances. The night before a contest or scholarship audition isn’t the best time to figure out what memory techniques work best for you. Plus, there’s always going to be that friend who says, “Oh, you play? Let’s hear it!” Be prepared to give an off-the-cuff memorized performance: always keep a few songs at the ready!