memory loss and the aging vocalist

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 03:23 PM

Choosing as much as possible to learn songs with a definite story to them helps.

Peter.

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: Bert
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 03:11 PM

...or ever worse, Bron, they steam up!

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: Llanfair
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 03:06 PM

Oh Terri, I can relate to this one. I'm wanting to learn loads of new stuff, but the words won't stay put. Also I need to have the right glasses on to read a cribsheet, and if I start getting a flush in the middle of a song, the glasses start to slide down my nose..................Who said being a singer was easy!!!!Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 02:05 PM

Another thing that helps is to learn the end of one verse and the beginning of the next as a (non-rhyming) couplet, so that the first line pulls the next one along with it.

Another thing to do is just repeat the last line or the last verse until the correct one comes along. Or sing nonsense syllables till you come to a line you know.

And you can have a tape of yourself singing it, and play it as you are driving along, to push it into your head. You know the way, when someone else is singing, you find you know the next line - well, this is a way of using the same mechanism. It can sometimes work.

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: DougR
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 01:39 PM

Good for circulation too, Alice.

DougR

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: Alice
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 11:52 AM

an aspirin a day helps with some memory problems, too (really, no kidding)

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 11:41 AM

One trick, especially useful when learning a new song, is to learn it backwards--that is, last verse first. If there are five verses, learn verse 5 singing it over and over; then learn to do 4 and 5 together; then learn to do 3, 4, and 5 together; then 2, 3, 4, and 5; then 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Doing it this way, you aren't so likely to get hung up where the only way to pick up the thread is to begin at the beginning.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 11:38 AM

Yes I do but have forgotten what it was..... Oh yes! I cheat, and have a copy of the song in front of me when I sing...Aye. Dave

Subject: memory loss and the aging vocalist
From: TerriM
Date: 02 Jun 00 - 11:30 AM

Recently, and no doubt due to my advancing years, I am having real trouble commiting songs to memory...at least I remember the words but can't get the verses in the right order. It only happens on one or two, Raglan Road, for example,but no matter how long we've been doing them it's hit or miss if I'm going to get them right.Now I know audiences are tolerant creatures on the whole, but it's driving me nuts. Does anyone have any tips?