I think it's the level of challenge. I seem to be able to recall (and I'm drawn to learn) more complex pieces of music, where in order to play a simple piece, I have to break out the score.Rather, I'm interested in hearing the thoughts of others regarding why some pieces seem to be easier to memorize than others
Now, that's an interesting thought! I hadn't thought of it that way. "A Day in November" is right at the outer edge of my current abilities and maybe while learning it I concentrated extra hard on every bar because it was (is) so difficult for me. But with Cancao Trieste, I could pretty much read straight through it from the start, and perhaps my brain just decided that there was no need to really memorize it because I could read it so easily.Guitar Slim Jr. wrote: ↑Sat Jul 01, 2017 6:06 amI find that the more difficult a piece is, the easier it is to memorize. I invest more time and effort into the challenging pieces.
Also, the simpler ones tend to be easier to sight-read, and so I have to make a special effort to memorize them. If it's a difficult repertoire piece, by the time I can play it, it's already memorized....
For me, different tunings in the base strings automatically raise the level of difficulty of memorizing a piece.andreas777 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 01, 2017 8:13 amFor me it's often more difficult to memorize the notes in the bass strings than the notes in the treble strings ( melody), especially if there is no obvious pattern. Tango by Tarrega, for example, is a simple piece but it took me longer than expected to memorize the notes on the low E string (tuned to D) and A string (tuned to G). The solution is not only focus on the melody but try to hear all notes.
I think you are mostly right, but I also think it's possible to (and I suspect a lot of non-classical players do) memorize a piece as a series of hand movements through different chord shapes while knowing virtually nothing about music theory except maybe the names of the chords.Rognvald wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2017 1:40 pmMike, your statement concerning knowledge of musical theory is essential to memorization. For example, when I initially look at a piece, I work out the chord progressions which tell me immediately where the piece is going. .. . especially in appregiated pieces where it is critical. However, if you try to memorize notes in isolation, it will take you much longer and you will never really understand a piece. A musician cannot progress beyond a rudimentary level if he/she does not understand music theory. . . unless you are a savant and it is intuitive. Any savants out there?? Playing again . . . Rognvald
Thanks for the tip. I've ordered it from Amazon.Sean Eric Howard wrote: ↑Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:41 amGo online and purchase the book By Heart by Paul Cienniwa. I think it's the finest book written on memorizing music.
Rognvald,Rognvald wrote: ↑Sat Jul 08, 2017 1:40 pmMike, your statement concerning knowledge of musical theory is essential to memorization. For example, when I initially look at a piece, I work out the chord progressions which tell me immediately where the piece is going. .. . especially in appregiated pieces where it is critical. However, if you try to memorize notes in isolation, it will take you much longer and you will never really understand a piece. A musician cannot progress beyond a rudimentary level if he/she does not understand music theory. . . unless you are a savant and it is intuitive. Any savants out there?? Playing again . . . Rognvald