Table of Contents

One of the problems with blogging is that it's hard to create coherent content. That is, blogs post the newest item as the first item you will be reading...and then you have to go in reverse order to read in forward order (or something like that).

This page is designed to give some sense of the order of the blog, functioning like a table of contents and, more or less, listing posts in the order they were posted.

If you are looking for specific topics, try the labels links to the right or use the search bar, also to the right.

INTRODUCTION

• And so it begins...
• About laziness and memorization
• A unique perspective
• Not an easy path

SOME LAPSE ANECDOTES

• My first lapse
• My second lapse...four days later!
• Another lapse!
• A few latter-day lapses

WHY MEMORIZE

• A prelude to Why
• Why or Why Not, at least according to the media
• Why, according to me: an introduction
• Why, according to me: Chapter One
• Why, according to me: Chapter Two
• (Why you shouldn't memorize: Part the First)
• (Why you shouldn't memorize: Part the Second)
• Why, according to me: Conclusion

STARTING TO MEMORIZE

• First steps
• Keep walking
• A steady pace

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

• Three types of memory
• Working at the instrument
• The practice log
• A timer
• You and your metronome
• Those good habits
• At what stage?
• Landmarks
• You say memory, I say mnemonic
• More on memory types
• A discernible regularity
• Some examples
• But wait...there's more!
• Developing aural memory
• Working away
• Those slow pieces
• Daily routine, with variety
• Knowing when to take time off
• Taking an old friend to heart
• Doing it right
• Now you're dancing on air!

THE MIDDLE STAGES OF MEMORY

• You've got it! Or so you think...
• Respect!
• Mental techniques
• Playing techniques
• Trap doors
• Are we there yet?
• Practice performances: You're good to go!

A FEW STICKING POINTS

• Fear factor
• Tales of fear
• The Inner Game
• Total presence
• A meditation
• Improvisation

THE MEMORIZED RECITAL

• Recital time!
• Now stop practicing!
• Practice performances redux
• Practicing for performance
• Hanging out backstage
• Stage presence
• The importance of a clear mind

SOME FOOTNOTES

• Resuscitating a program
• Dr. Bell asks a question
• Memorizing Bach and his fugues
• Hands apart
• Dr. Liu makes a point

CONCLUSIONS

• A summary of HOW
• Passion
• We're done for now

COMMENTARY

• A brief diversion
• Earworms
• Anatomy of a harpsichordist
• Online practice log
• Abstract art and vanilla music
• Efficiency in practicing
• The long and winding road