Remembering the words

Subject: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,JHW I'll find that cookie one day
Date: 18 Aug 15 - 06:08 AM

Radio 4 programme Mon 17th Aug 2015 declares that physical activity is good for maintaining the health and function of the brain; learning while being active eg walking, helps the memory.
Must be worth a try for learning lyrics.
15 minute radio programme How to have a better Brain - Exercise

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Aug 15 - 10:56 AM

Thanks for the info.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Aug 15 - 11:43 AM

taking deep breaths from the diaphragm increases oxygen to brain and helps to maintain good brain function, working on diaphragm increas vocal power as well.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 06:49 AM

I do a lot of walking anyway and long since assured my singing teacher that the full breaths I take up hills (instinctively from the diaphragm) were as good as the breathing exercises.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 07:33 AM

Good info on breathing for singing here

It's a bit of a shame that the writer can't spell the word 'breathe' correctly, but hey-ho, welcome to the Internet!

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 07:36 AM

Mmmmmm, blue clicky didn't take. Try again:-

herd="http://www.musicedted.info/Breathing/Breathing.html">here

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 07:39 AM

FFS!! F***ing useless, shitty HTML!

here

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 07:46 AM

I have no problem learning the instrumental part of a song, but I do struggle with learning lyrics. I've found that recording myself playing and singing the song, putting it on a CD, playing it over and over at home, in the car, wherever, and singing along with the recording works for me.

Although some people seem able to learn from written documents, it's a complete waste of effort for me, I find myself permanently reliant on reading the words but, by singing along to a recording, my brain seems able to lock the lyrics in.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 01:58 PM

Well, it's long been a truism that physical fitness helps good performance so not surprising that good health, breathing etc make you feel more positive and in turn aid a good memory. I do a uge amount of brain fitness exercises as well as I'm getting a bit too old for the exercise, certainly helps my memory

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 02:23 PM

I agree that exercise is apt to help the brain, but I wonder why psychologists dreamed up this business of memorizing lists of unrelated words. There is no earthly reason for a person to do that, so probably no part of the brain has evolved to do it.

We can probably force our brains to do it, but doing so doesn't make us any wiser or more talented.

I'd be more impressed by a study which studied something real.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 02:24 PM

Best to always have a lyrics sheet.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 02:52 PM

I have no trouble remembering words. I used to memorise radio scripts when I was a kid. {Radio Ham etc.} OK bully for me, what's the secret.
A mental journey path works for me. I associate a mental picture with a verse. That picture remains a constant, and I see it every time I sing the song. I can see the shape of the tune as I sing and the pictures attach themselves to the shape in my mind.
The tune shape comes from sight reading music which is essential for a revivalist singer looking for unique material.
This works for me but may not suit everyone {or even anyone} else.
I will lay odds that Dick Miles {above} uses a comparable system. In all the years I have seen him sing I have never seen him lose the words once.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Aug 15 - 04:18 PM

Nic is spot on.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 04:42 AM

"I wonder why psychologists dreamed up this business of memorizing lists of unrelated words"

I suggest this is just for research - not intended to be of use in itself

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Hamish
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 06:01 AM

I often learn words to new songs whilst out on long walks. A small aide memoire, folded suitably, in one hand...

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Teribus
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 06:06 AM

Backwoodsman - 19 Aug 15 - 07:46 AM

"I've found that recording myself playing and singing the song, putting it on a CD, playing it over and over at home, in the car, wherever, and singing along with the recording works for me."

That works for me too - if you can't do that for any reason try writing the lyrics out a few times longhand - amazing how quickly your own brains "predictive text" facility starts to click in.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 06:18 AM

Remember Song

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Snuffy
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 09:14 AM

That would make a good introduction - "I learned this off a recording - of myself!"

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 09:45 AM

Hi, Henryp. Thanks for the link to the "Remember" song.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 11:34 AM

Would learn that song, if only I had a good memory for words!

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 05:59 AM

I too have played over my own recording in the car, better than a commercial CD as I'm rehearsing it 'my way'.
Maybe I should get an i plod or whatever and listen repeatedly while I'm walking.

Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 06:27 AM

"I too have played over my own recording in the car, better than a commercial CD as I'm rehearsing it 'my way'."

Precisely my point, JHW!