Bear

So,
I was teaching a lesson and a young gentleman asked me what the big deal about memorizing music? One of his friends said so they could concentrate on the show drill... marching band. I started talking to the teacher and gradually brought up the subject about memorization and what they were teaching... Turns out, the majority of the people I've talked to have no idea why they memorize music, they've just always been told to do it.
That being said, I would like to start a discussion on the importance of memorizing music and if anyone has any great stories, please feel free to jump in.
Bottom line: I think memorizing helps take the mind off the mechanics of an individual part and helps to focus on the total picture of music. Such as, harmony, time, other lines, etc. Thoughts?
I think it's great to memorize just to work out the brain, but why not delve into the aspects of ear trianing while it's being done, eh?

Keep Blowin',
Tim Bear

rowuk

Memorizing music gives me a 3-D picture of what is going on. I don't count bars of rest, I learn the form and flow of the line, I take musical cues from the orchestra instead of being occupied with myself.
Memorization is key to being REALLY prepared.
Marching band was also my first adventure in memorizing. I had to because I had no music holder for the horn and no money to buy a clip on. Most of those marches are still recallable today, 35 years later..........

stchasking

Memorizing music improves musicallity. I have trouble doing it but the few lines I have memorized really free up my ability to play musically.

Vulgano Brother

Forced memorization is a sure way to get students practicing enough!

Firestas'1

That is true but, it could also be a big discouragement for those who aren't good at memorizing things.

stchasking

What are your secrets to memorization?

gglassmeyer

In high school marching band we were required to memorize everything. Each week we would do 3 new songs for that week's football game. By the time you were in your senior year, you could play one of the Hal Leonard arrangements a couple of times and you'd have it. The underclassmen would struggle all week.

The other thing that was nice is that we would play for the opening of supermarkets, birthdays, really any occasion someone wanted to pay for. Our drum major could call out songs and we'd be able to play at least an hour of music.

B15M

It's funny, I can memorize music fairly easily but I have trouble studying for a test.
In Marching band I never counted a drill. I learned it by music queue. (sp?)
When we were told to count ten steps and turn right, I would count ten beats ahead in the music and put an R. That's how I learned the whole show.

I like to perform solos from memory. I think it gives more freedom. Even if I can't memorize the whole thing I learn it enough so the music on the page is just a reminder.

Has anyone been playing from memory and your mind wonders? This has happened to me more then once and I'm still playing and thinking, "where the heck am I?" I never had to stop though.

Vulgano Brother

BergeronWannabe

Repetition! We play marching band music so many times, it can get boring at times. But then the director adds dynamics and horn pops that accent it, turns out pretty cool.
It also helps moving and concentrating on spots. we go back and forth alot! We tried using the music folders once but I guess the drill suffered.