How to Memorize a Song

So your best friend has asked you to sing at her wedding, or you've finally decided to take the plunge and audition for American Idol. There's just one little problem. You find it hard to memorize a song. Don't worry, these steps will keep you from humming the words.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sheet music or lyric sheet
• Writing utensil
• CD player or MP3 player
• Paper

1. Start off with focused practice. Find a quiet spot where you won't be distracted. Be prepared to dedicate some time to learning. Committing a song to memory takes a good deal of concentration.

2. Read the song's lyrics aloud as if reciting a poem. Repeat this action until you get an idea of how you wish to express the song.

3. Write the words of the entire song, speaking each word aloud as you write. Do this several times until the song begins to stick. Continue to write out the word but now sing each phrase as you write.

4. Sing along with your favorite recording of the song again and again.

5. Rehearse your song a capella in the shower, while driving in your car or on your daily walk. Singing without music challenges your memory to retain the words.

6. Sing your song everyday until performance time. Skipping a day may induce memory loss, particularly if the song is very new to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick a song that you like! Spending time to learn a song should be fun.

• Sip lots of room temperature water to keep your throat from drying out while rehearsing.

• When practicing, sing your song gently. Practicing too loud and with too much emotion everyday could hurt your throat.