Remembering the words

18 Aug 15 - 06:08 AM (#3731100)
Subject: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,JHW I'll find that cookie one day

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

---

18 Aug 15 - 10:56 AM (#3731161)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,leeneia

Thanks for the info.

---

18 Aug 15 - 11:43 AM (#3731170)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: The Sandman

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.

---

19 Aug 15 - 06:49 AM (#3731418)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,JHW

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.

---

19 Aug 15 - 07:36 AM (#3731425)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman

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

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

---

19 Aug 15 - 07:39 AM (#3731429)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman

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

here

---

19 Aug 15 - 07:46 AM (#3731433)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman

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.

---

19 Aug 15 - 01:58 PM (#3731532)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,Desi C

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

---

19 Aug 15 - 02:23 PM (#3731537)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,leeneia

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.

---

19 Aug 15 - 02:24 PM (#3731539)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Bonzo3legs

Best to always have a lyrics sheet.

---

19 Aug 15 - 02:52 PM (#3731550)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,Nick Dow

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.

---

19 Aug 15 - 04:18 PM (#3731563)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: The Sandman

Nic is spot on.

---

20 Aug 15 - 04:42 AM (#3731697)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST

"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

---

20 Aug 15 - 06:01 AM (#3731723)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Hamish

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

---

20 Aug 15 - 06:06 AM (#3731726)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Teribus

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.

---

20 Aug 15 - 06:18 AM (#3731728)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,henryp

Remember Song

---

20 Aug 15 - 09:45 AM (#3731783)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,leeneia

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

---

20 Aug 15 - 11:34 AM (#3731824)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Tattie Bogle

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

---

21 Aug 15 - 05:59 AM (#3732025)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: GUEST,JHW

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.

---

21 Aug 15 - 06:27 AM (#3732037)
Subject: RE: Remembering the words
From: Backwoodsman

"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!

---