Article Tags: memorization memorizing learning

Practicing reading is often a student's least favorite activity. I present reading as a way to make music life simpler and a way to avoid memorizing. Despite this, students nearly always try to memorize unimportant practice pieces instead of reading. The obvious idea is to avoid reading.

Doing more passages and doing phrases from each helps to break that habit. As well as not reading together, so they don't have an aural point of reference.

But, the bigger question is when do I memorize? For me, 'major' pieces or pieces that I want to put together into a medly are ones I memorize. Obviously if I like it, I'll probably memorize it. That's not a very clear answer, so here's a clear one. If you'll repeatedly play it for you or for others, memorize it.

Added on: 2008 11 16