Memorization

[Edward4]

I am currently a Junior in High School, memorizing the first Movement of the Kennan Sonata for a scholarship audition at All States. So far, I have a good 40(ish) percent of it down, but really can't seem to memorize certain specific pieces (especially the slurred eigth notes in the theme). I know the piece well, but as I mentioned, cannot seem to fully memorize it for this other audition. I have a few weeks, which I presume this to be do-able in, but I really just need "Study Methods". Thank you for any input!

-Edward

[trumanjazzguy]

You need to know the piece so well, that you can sing it at pitch, in its entirety, in your head and aloud. This should've been done within the first week you were learning the piece. You need to listen to it every day and sing each part, especially those you don't have under your fingers and in your head yet. You need to do this many times.

Find recordings of players whose interpretations you enjoy. Make up your own vocalization techniques to vocalize the piece, as if you were playing it. Sometimes I used to make up lyrics for pieces, or imagine certain stories or scenarios playing out as I played the piece; as if the piece was playing during a movie in my head, giving the piece a thematic meaning and use.

Hope that helps!
_________________
TPT: Nova LA
CRN: Getzen 1950’s W/5.5in bell
FL: Jupiter 1100R
‘Pieces:
TPT: 34-throat shallow double-cup, Chet Baker’s Custom Schilke, Bach Corp 3, Bach Mt. Vernon 6C, Ken Titmus BF Custom(s).
CRN: NY Giardinelli 7SV.
FL: Yamaha Bobby Shew

[Edward4]

Thank you very much! At this point, I do know how the piece goes. It's just the fingerings that get me. I'll try your method of making words for specific sections. Perhaps I could apply that to specific fingerings and such.

-Edward

[dstdenis]

I like to hum a piece that I'm memorizing and tap the fingerings on my arm, a table top, the steering wheel of the car, etc., to test my familiarity throughout the day. First I go through the whole piece in my head, then later I focus on the spots that I still struggle to remember.

Important tip: go back to the music every now and then to make sure you haven't memorized anything incorrectly so you'll have time to fix it (don't ask me how I know this ).
_________________
Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi

[Edward4]

This does sound like it would be great for pratice, as I can't always have my trumpet out; Just to get it in muscle memory at any time. Thanks!

-Edward

[Turkle]

Since I was memorizing an etude last night (Charlier #16), I'll describe my process.

First, before trying to memorize something, I make sure I can play the darned thing musically from start to finish with the music in front of me. Be extremely careful that you haven't learned any wrong notes - it's much harder to unlearn a mistake than it is to learn it the right way the first time!! You should know the melody by ear well enough to sing it.

Next, I form a "mental map" of the tune. Here's mine from the Charlier #16:

1) G major section
2) G minor section
3) Ascending chromatic section
4) C major section
5) F Major section
6) Very tricky descending chromatic section
6a) Db Major
6b) C Major
6c) B Major
6d) A Major
7) G major, recap of 1), fancy ending

A neat and helpful trick is to start from the last phrase and memorize the tune in reverse. I love this for etudes.

So I'll start with section 7), placing the metronome extremely slow. I make sure I can sing the part. Then I play it on my horn, at a tempo that I absolutely cannot miss a note! Then I work it up, two notches at a time, until I'm playing it at performance tempo.

Now, section 6) is so darned tricky that I will memorize it two measures at a time, in reverse! When that's memorized, I connect it with section 7) until I can transition seamlessly.

At each stage, you MUST be able to sing it and MUST start so slowly you can't miss a note or articulation - this ensures you'll learn it correctly the first time. Unlearning is very difficult! Then work it up with the metronome two notches at a time until you're slightly faster than performance tempo.

With a technique like this, I memorized Charlier #16 in under an hour, so thoroughly I'll never forget it.

Good luck!
_________________
Yamaha 8310Z trumpet
Yamaha 8310Z flugel
Curry 3.

[Edward4]

Do you think mapping out key signature would be effective in the Kennan? Accidentals are pretty spasmodic! I have heard the memorizing pieces backwards, which seems fairly effective. Is it bad to memorize random sections, and slowly piece the PIECE together? That's a bit of what I'm doing.

Thank you for your input! I'll attempt the mapping of sections the best I can!

-Edward

[Turkle]

[mhenrikse]

How many times a day do you practice the piece through?

If your problem is fingering in a certain part, then make sure you practice that part at a speed that you can play without hesitation. Repeat many times at that speed. I don't think memorization is any more than repetition but it has to be slow enough that your "batting average is almost 100%".

[Richard III]

If you can sing it in it's entirety, fingering should not be a problem. Playing what you sing should be second nature by now. In fact, listening to something you don't know a few times should result in being able to play it pretty close. Right?
_________________
Richard

King 1130 Flugabone
King 12C mouthpiece

[kehaulani]

[Edward4]

[quote="mhenrikse"]How many times a day do you practice the piece through?

If your problem is fingering in a certain part, then make sure you practice that part at a speed that you can play without hesitation. Repeat many times at that speed. I don't think memorization is any more than repetition but it has to be slow enough that your "batting average is almost 100%".[quote]

I practice as much as I can, but I'm in High School, so I don't have TOO much time, it also being the week before exams.

This makes sense though. Starting slower, and gradually working on fingerings until I can play at full speed.

[Edward4]

[quote="Richard III"]If you can sing it in it's entirety, fingering should not be a problem. Playing what you sing should be second nature by now. In fact, listening to something you don't know a few times should result in being able to play it pretty close. Right?[/quote]

Not necessarily. I'm having trouble memorizing fingerings, but I know the piece, and can sing through it fully.

[aTrumpetdude]

Playing along with a recording makes it much easier for me to memorize.
_________________
Scodwell Boston
90's Bach Strad MLV 65GH
1950 Bach Strad 38
1969 Conn 8b Artist
1980 238 CL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1qCev_sfof-Bfj5MAMLrQ

[Andy Del]

If you can't remember the fingering patterns , then you need to spend time in repetition of these until you don't have to remember them, but can do them without thinking them. Then you are playing the piece, not a bunch of fingerlings.

Bottom line, you need to spend more time working on the sections you have not yet memorised. If you do not get there, then it is no big deal to use music in your performance.

Cheers

Andy
_________________
so many horns, so few good notes...

[JoseLindE4]