David Shostac

January 2009

STUDENTS QUESTIONS

David anwsers a question posed by Nancy Gray

Q: I'm just having a little problem memorizing the rest of the first movement of Mozart in D. Do you have any hints, I have 2 1/2 pages memorized, but I keep getting stuck.

Start at the end section and work backwards. That way you are always learning it in a way that gets you to the end. Also practice with a recording, and go back over any part you goof up on until it sits well.

It helps to know what part of the movement you are in, like where does the development start and where is the recap. Does it go into any unusual keys? And how is the second theme different in the recap from the first time. It's the places where it takes different turns you need to get into your head.

Practicing mentally without the flute is a very good way to memorize. Unfortunately for me, that's often when I go to bed because it's the time I am quiet enough to do it. Still, if I can go through a piece that way, it gives me confidence that it is getting internalized.

Continued above...

Some people prefer to write out the solo part, but I like to just go through it in my mind. And don't be afraid to do this slowly and deliberately-- you can really get the details embedded deeply in your psyche. If I'm doing something that doesn't take much concentration, I will also find myself going over the music. Hope this helps you out.

p.s. It can also be useful to have a "Music Minus One" type of accompaniment to practice with, because you don't have the solo part to help you out, and you find out any places you might get lost. Again, if that happens, back up the recording and get used to how what came previously leads into where you got messed up. It's the connection between those two areas that contains the solution to the memory problem. Get so good at this that you can go out on stage and just get into the music.