How I Solved the Memory Problem

When I was young I had several traumatic experiences with memory. On one occasion I stood up to play and couldn’t remember the first note of the piece.
Not a very good thing for one’s confidence.

In fact it took many years before I felt at all ‘right,’ when performing, without a music stand in front of me. Sure glad I got over it.

And here’s what I did.

I FORCED myself – and at first my little gray cells strained with the effort – to ‘see’ the music in my mind’s eye while playing. And I didn’t only do it with the violin under my chin. At night I would visualize myself playing through my newly memorized repertoire in my head as I lay in bed.

Yes, it did tend to wake me up a bit.

Yet once I relaxed and fell asleep I slept great, knowing there was something in my head I could recall at will rather than only when the stars were aligned in my favor.

I still do this today.

Over the years I’ve created new challenges to my memory. I will count out loud while I visualize and play. I will even dance hip-hop steps around the living room while counting.

In recent days I’ve begun incorporating something new into my arsenal of memory. Now I’m memorizing ‘the changes,’ as jazz players refer to the flow of harmonies that make up a piece.

If I know on which beat or subdivision of a beat each chord changes, and can improvise on them without getting hopelessly lost, then it really doesn’t matter if I momentarily forget Mr. Beethoven’s notes or not – with all due respect.

The show will still go on.

All the best, Clayton Haslop

P.S. This month I am donating 20% of what comes into Violin Mastery to two string programs, one here in Sedona and one in Puerto Rico. It’s a great time to get the course you’ve had your eye on.