Got a performance coming up? Need to learn a song fast? It's one thing to memorize a song you've heard for months or years, but a new song that you're trying to cram into your brain over weeks or days will take some specific practice.
Who knows, with these suggestions, you may be able to get the song down in hours, depending on the complexity and length of the lyrics.
I've read so many different tips on memorizing songs for my performances. Most of them work, but some of them work exceptionally well, so I'm going to put this list in order of what was the most helpful to me to what was the least beneficial.
All of these methods helped a bit at the bare minimum, so try them all and see where you stand.
I'm sure you've played the song you're trying to memorize enough to be able to get some of the words and melodies right.
The key to really getting it memorized is to actively sing or play your part over and over, along with the full recording. Don't start doing the karaoke or version without music yourself. Perform along with the original vocal several dozen times.
If you are a singer, try humming along with the melody several times before adding the lyrics. Melodies often get stuck in one's head first, so make sure you have the complexities of all the parts of the song down, then start practicing the words by themselves.
If you're trying to memorize an instrumental part, hum the line several times along with a recording instead of playing it through.
When practicing the words, try practicing them at varying tempos. If it's a slow song, read the words over very fast, then mid-tempo, then slow. If it's fast, speak the words very slowly, then mid-tempo, then fast.
Get emotionally invested in the lyrics that you are trying to memorize. See if the lyrics remind you of anything that you can easily cling to in your personal life.
Does the lyric remind you of something you've been through before? Maybe it reminds you of a friend or family member? Whatever that connection is, really dwell on that memory or person each time you hear or perform the song.
Related Post: How To Sing With Emotion And Connect With The Music
Keep the instrumentation and the background vocals in the recording if you can, and just perform the lead part as you read the lyrics and/or notes.
Really get a feel for how you will perform vs. how it may have been performed by the original singer if it's not your work. The more you get a feel for how you will uniquely perform, the more the song will stick to you.
Once you really start feeling confident with how the song goes, challenge yourself by attempting to do the song in reverse. This will really help your brain retain the song structure, melodies, and lyrics memories.
Sections like the chorus and pre-chorus will begin to come very easy to you, but some tricky areas like the bridge may still not stick. Practice sections over and over until you find yourself just singing each part of the song at random times in the day.
Related Post: When Are The Best Times To Practice Singing?
If it's a singing part and not an instrumental part that you're trying to memorize, try singing the part with and without the original recording while you're doing something else, like cleaning or driving.
This will allow your brain to retain the lyrics and melody like second nature and will help you recall the song elements more naturally instead of feeling forced to anticipate each line.
Try writing it down if you're really tripped up on the text. Typing it out on your phone might do you well, but the act of writing will really help you connect the words you are writing with your brain.
If you're into sheet music, visualizing the lyrics and the pitches by writing your own staff notes and lyrics will be a great help. Writing the notes will help you memorize the melody line if you're having trouble with a complex melodic structure.
This depends on the length and complexity of a song, but the average time it takes to learn a song is about two weeks with consistent practice every day.
If the song is straightforward lyrically and melodically, you can learn it in a day. It can take you months if it's an intense jazz piece and you're an instrumentalist.
Remember that memorizing a song can sometimes be hindered by performance anxiety. Suppose you have it memorized enough to sing at home while practicing alone.
In that case, you may still need to drill it for several more days before performing on stage while multitasking with remembering words, hitting the right notes, and being comfortable in your performance.
In conclusion, memorizing a song takes time and effort, but with the right techniques, it can be done faster and more efficiently. The tips provided, from performing the song over and over to writing down the lyrics and sheet music, are all helpful methods to try.
However, it's important to note that different methods work for different people, and it's important to find what works best for you.
It's also important to connect with the story of the song and to get emotionally invested in the lyrics. This will not only help you remember the words but also add depth and emotion to your performance.
While the time it takes to memorize a song varies depending on its complexity and length, consistent daily practice is key. It's also important to keep in mind that performance anxiety can hinder memorization, and it may take additional practice to feel comfortable performing on stage.
Overall, with patience, dedication, and these helpful tips, you can memorize a song and deliver a memorable performance.
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
