Got a performance coming up? We have. I have decided that I would like my singers to perform by memory so they can really enjoy the music and the occasion. So I asked my members what tips and tricks they use to memorise their words. I thought their suggestions were so good I’d like to share them with you! Here they are:
“Repetition and singing along in the car”
“I find it helps to write the words out on paper. Then if I practise from my written paper copy I can remember where I am on the page when I am singing without it.”
“Hands: use your hands to describe the words. Singing the song often without the words like in the car & shower as you don’t concentrate so hard. Review the words if there’s a query what it actually should be & just keep going.”
“Little and often except when its a song I can’t get to grips with then its repeat repeat repeat.”
“I like to sing along to practise tracks in the kitchen when I am getting dinner! Glass of wine helps !”
“I sing whilst I’m cooking, usually
with a glass of wine. 
“
“Singing through them every day and……….
“
“One tip, don’t practice in the evenings, as you always have one that keeps repeating in your brain all night, hence no sleep. Then you get to choir and can’t remember the words 
“
“Tapping. When I hear a song, I tap my finger onto my leg or the palm of my hand to time the beat. I find the background beat and tune easier to pick up than the lyrics. Once I found the beat and tune timing I can hear the lyrics better.”
“Just listening and then promptly forgetting and having to start all over again Think it’s an age thing!! 
“
“Keep practising especially when I’m walking the dogs.”
“Listening and singing along with CD in my car 
“
“I sing to the tracks in the kitchen when cooking. Something I write out the song lyrics if I find the song difficult. I feel this helps me get the lyrics into my head!”
“Headphones whilst I’m out walking dog and play songs on my phone on repeat.Sectional with other Altos.”
“Listening to teaching tracks”
“Sing along, and as soon as you make a mistake go back a few lines and try again. Only move on to the next bit once you can do that bit from the start without mistakes! You’ll gradually get further and further 
It is however really frustrating and does have to be balanced with a bit of passive background listening / half singing or you’d get really bored”
“Writing the words out and then typing them”
“Listening to the song, learning little sections (a couple lines) at a time then moving on. Then it’s a case of practise practise practise”
“I initially type out the words, listen to teaching tracks again & again, I have an ipod for when walking & memory stick in my car, if I struggle on particular lines (lets face it there are always some) then I try & make it personel to me to try & remember. I find it easier to look at just the words when singing, rather than notes (once I have the hang of the tune) as easier to memorise.”
“Watching and listening to YOU”
“Coming to rehearsals regularly … Singing with everyone.”
“Rehearsals, with all of the ladies singing the different parts regularly.”
Well I think they summed it all up perfectly and covered every angle, don’t you? The only thing I would add is start early and practise ‘little and often’. How do you learn your words? Do you direct your choir by memory for a performance? Tell us in The Creative Choir Leader Group.
Not got your choir performing yet? Read our post outlining why we think performing is a great activity for your choir.
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