You’ve gotta want it.
I am constantly working to convince my students to hold onto more of what they learn from one rehearsal to the next. I don’t like re-teaching notes and rhythms, they don’t like repeating the process. But somehow, things sometimes just…don’t stick.
There are a lot of strategies for improving memory. Develop a memory palace. Use a person’s name three times when you meet them. As I often say, the only way to memorize anything is repetition.
But underlying all of these must be a sincere desire to retain this knowledge. I can tell you the names of every member of the seven most important vocal groups to me without batting an eye. Because I deeply want to know that information.* But I doubt I could get a random student to retain that information easily.
Want to retain information? Start by choosing information that you want to retain.
*Just to prove my point:
- Bonnie Herman, Don Shelton, Gene Puerling, Len Dresslar
- Clark Burroughs, Bob Morse, Bob Strasen, Gene Puerling
- Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble, Joey Kibble, Dave Thomas, Cedric Dent, Alvin Chea (and Mervyn Warren)
- Cheryl Bentyne, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, Tim Hauser
- Kim Nazarian, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader, Peter Eldridge
- Emma NilsdotterMargareta Bengtson, Lisa Östergren, Katarina Henryson, Anders Edenroth, Morten Vinther/Peder Karlsson, Janis Strazdins/Anders Jalkéus
- Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks, Annie Ross