A common fear for many singers is that of memorization. The singers are afraid, perhaps with some justification, that they will forget the lyrics of a song in the performance. While forgetting words is obviously a more serious problem for an individual vocalist who is up there alone, it is also an item of concern for many choral singers when informed they must memorize a piece for performance. I mentioned above that singers may be justified in their fear, but let me qualify that statement by adding that the fear can be eliminated, or at least greatly reduced, by utilizing several memorization techniques.
- Write out the lyrics of the song in long hand. The very act of writing the words is a great mental exercise and you will be amazed how it helps you retain the text.
- Enlist the aid of a lyric sheet. This can be the same sheet you wrote out in long hand or can be something you created at your computer and printed (this works best if your handwriting is as bad as mine!). The way this sheet can be used is to keep it upside down until you can’t remember the words. Turn it over quickly to remind yourself of the text and then practice that part of the song until you can do it without the benefit of the lyric sheet.
- Use a “cheat sheet.” Keep in mind this is only for rehearsals and not for performances! On this sheet you can write the first two or three words of each line or section and refer to it as needed during the rehearsal process. You will quickly learn that you need to look at it less and less.
Listen to a recording of the piece multiple times. With so many good recordings available of choral music these days, it is easy to obtain one with which you can practice your memorization. Using streaming services and digital downloads to listen to music you will be performing can be a great way to practice your memorization.
