How To Memorize Piano Music & Never Slip Up

Unlock the secrets to memorizing piano music and never worry about slipping up again! In this video, I’ll share 8 powerful strategies that will transform the way you practice and retain piano music. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pianist, these techniques will help you master memorization effortlessly and play piano confidently.

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🕘 Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:50 - Strategy #1: Use Chunking Technique
1:59 - Strategy #2: Practice Hands Separately First
4:21 - Strategy #3: Understand the Music Before Memorizing
6:43 - Strategy #4: Do Mental Practice Away from the Piano
7:47 - Strategy #5: Incorporate Muscle Memory
9:14 - Strategy #6: Employ Various Memorization Techniques
10:47 - Strategy #7: Practice Playing From Memory Regularly
11:28 - Strategy #8: Troubleshoot Memory Slips

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[jazerleepiano]

Do you have any memorization techniques that have worked for you? Do you prefer to memorize music or play from sheet music?

[kevinhoffmann]

I learn section for section till I can play it without reading notes or watching the tutorial. Every time I start to learn a new song, I warm up by playing all songs I learned by memory to keep them fresh :D

[michaelungar]

Thanks Jazer for the useful tips. I've been focusing on repeating very small parts, like a bar or two, then playing to the next note in the next bar, repeating again and again, then continuing to the next note; keeping it all in small manageable bits. It's also helpful to take a few minutes of quiet rest after every 10-15 mins of practice to give the brain a chance to digest. It's especially important for me to stop if I find myself getting distracted, get up and stretch a bit then return to the task.

I've been working on memorization since my eyes tend to wander and get lost in the score. Since I've been making more of an effort at this, I'm getting a lot more satisfaction and increased confidence from playing. Besides, memorization is a great exercise to keep an older brain sharp.

[leilakhammar]

I often thought it was wrong to look at our fingers while playing. So if I was somewhere else and wanted to play I could never remember my notes. Thank you for the tip. I will be trying to do that soon.

[jimvandemoter]

I'm just starting piano, but I'm not new to music. In fact I started guitar when I was nine years old in 1961. I studied theory in college for two years in the early '70's then taught guitar for over twenty five years. I'm now seventy two years old and I'm just now starting piano. I really enjoy your videos along with my book (Alfred's all in one #1) Thank you for what you do. The journey

[mrbulkyc]

when you struggle as all of us do, you have to get back to a basic strategy, and this lesson provides that, All TREMENDOUS tips that will implement immediately, Thank you so much, you are the Best !

[noelig]

My music therapist piano teacher has me envisioning each part of a piece. Eg. River Flows in You by Yiruma is easy. It starts w the river waking from winter; then moves to summer, etc, in the other sections. I also imagine "surprises" in the river's journey. So, in every few measures, there is a story.

[kevinball]

I'm a late starter to the piano, having started 5 years ago at 58, have always preferred memorising my pieces. Great video thanks Kevin 13:17

[GoFbassist]

I've only been playing since March 24, and I can't sight read, so it takes me a while to work through a song. I'll chunk it right down, work out the notes, and listen to how the song is played. If I can find a tutorial, I'll watch that too. Then I practice separate hands like you taught. I played the first page of Primavera with two hands for the first time last week. Thank you for your tips Jazer, they're helping me immensly!!

[rogerparker]

I tend to use a story to go along with my playing. I have severe performance anxiety so I picture different people watching me through different parts and it helps me remember what comes next by who I am imagining listening to me.

[juanmarcuslopez]

For me, singing along with the piece is the best way to memorize it <3

[Captain-Palsy]

Thank you for this. iI am starting piano again after 20 or so years off, and i am really focusing this time. The simple fact is I've tried letting it go. i simply can't it pulls me back in. I used to train on my own with my eyes closed along with the usual practice. I am incorporating slowly your tips along with others i really believe that i am able to be a good pianist i have just sold myself short all these years. I hope this finds you and are able to understand my ramblings. I had a lot to say.

[cobract]

Interleaving practice seems to work quite well for me. Great to avoid feeling bored and or feeling like you're in a practice rut. Switching to a new section of the piece I'm learning every 3mins to 5mins helps me stay focused and alert. Sometimes I will practice 4 bars of a new piece then play a piece I've been playing for a while then immediately go back to practicing the 4 bar section of the new piece. Play another piece then repeat.

[rarsenio]

Thank you for your videos. I really appreciate it. Although, most of them are way beyond my level, I enjoy watching them.

[thepianoplayer]

In my school days I learned violin in strings class. We had year-end concerts for the parents. Found that it's easier to watch the conductor (music teacher) having parts of the music memorized than having to read the whole piece.
Taking up piano as an adult found that reading 2 staffs at a time (especially the bass) to be challenging. Initially I'd read through a piece to decipher the notes and then memorize in small sections. Over the years reading improved but continued to play pieces in public from memory.
Once I attended a piano recital. The pianist was a 9-year old prodigy. He played the entire 40m concert from memory.

[meganburton]

I’m a sheet music reader and really struggle with memorizing a piece. I want the music in front of me; however, I’m gonna give these techniques a try!

[rjanuary]

I like to close my eyes and visualize the keys in my mind as I run through the piece. I do this both while on the piano and away from it. It quickly helps me identify parts that need additional work to commit to memory. Great guide.

[grandiosa]

Nothing beats the classics! Great melody and teaching!!

[synthplayer]

Very good summary.
I do mental practice in my bed and imagine myself playing the whole piece with every single note. For me, that is the most important step to being able to play a piece well by heart.
Another thing is to always play with foresight and practice that. So always have a good idea of ​​how the piece will continue.

[marciamadeira]

A piano teacher who discouraged playing by ear, playing only by the music, has made me into a sight reader and it’s very difficult to memorize. Even pieces that I know well, I “think” I need the music is front of me, when I get lost. So thanks for your techniques, I’ll try on a couple of pieces. ❤️🎹