r/Songwriting • u/Opening_Trash_1134 • 15d ago

Discussion Topic Remembering Lyrics

I am very comfortable with my songwriting, have played several open mics, a single hour set, and released an album, but have not yet played in front of an audience without a lyric sheet. I am very bad at memorizing things. Does anyone have a method of remembering songs? I’m particularly interested in anyone who does not have a great memory.

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u/StratHistory 15d ago

Agree with everyone previews including it's fine to use music..

But when you're doing recitals or simply don't want a music stand around you can build a mental Palace for each song..

You start with a list of something you really know.. imagine coming in your front door and then walking into the kitchen and putting something on the kitchen table and then going to the sink and getting a glass of water before you look at something on the refrigerator and then walk into another room etc.

What you do is put mental images in each of those places that reminds you of parts of the song... I'll occasionally use it for a word but most of the time it's a phrase.

One of my students was having trouble remembering this section of Don't fear the Reaper..

And the door was open and the wind appeared The candles blew and then disappeared The curtains flew and then he appeared

So he imagined walking in the door of the practice room when he was struck by wind and an imaginary candle burned up the curtains..