Only HAND memory - how to adress this problem?

[stormx]

Hi !! 

My current repertoire is slighty above 10 minutes !! impressive, isnt it? 
However, even with such a short repertoire, i have many memory problems 

I know its origins, for sure. I rely mostly on HAND MEMORY (ie: muscle memory).
I hate it, but that is the way it is 
Whenever i get lost, or go blank on some part of the piece, i have to go back some mesures (if not to the very beginning!!)  to some spot where i can resume my playing. It is horrible 

Question:
how do i complement that HAND memory (that i know is necessary, after all), that betrays me so often, with a much more reliable one?

PD: trying to follow the score while playing confuses me. I cannot read and play at the same time 

[happyface94]

If you wanna complement hand memory, practice your pieces slowly very often. Very Slower tempo = forces you to not use hand memory.

[eins]

Start learning your pieces from the back.

Let's say, your piece has 32 measures. Start with measure 32 (or 31-32, or 30-32). Then add the next (few) last measure(s) and play to the end. Continue until you added measure 1.

The result is amazing!

[stormx]

Start learning your pieces from the back.

Let's say, your piece has 32 measures. Start with measure 32 (or 31-32, or 30-32). Then add the next (few) last measure(s) and play to the end. Continue until you added measure 1.

The result is amazing!

You mean to apply this reverse method for new pieces, or to apply it also to pieces i have already completed?

Thanks for your advices,

[eins]

I don't think it would make sense to re-do your current repertoire from the back.

If you get stuck at always the same measures, work on memorizing these, overlapping with secure measures.

BTW, I'm not sure if your diagnose is correct. Nobody can "only have muscle memory". Without your brain, you would have NO memory. The more experienced members here will hopefully give you better insight than I can, but I think you just have not fully memorized certain parts yet.

[nomis]

Look here for a detailed example of using visual memory: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=956529347ef94b38c80293692a3fabb5&topic=10428.msg106849#msg106849

[Jacey1973]

I used to have the same problem as you when i first started memorising. My teacher encouraged me to analyse the piece i was playing harmonically (i.e always being aware of what key i was in, and what were the subdominant-dominant keys etc, and looking for any typical harmonic progressions).

[steinwayguy]

Question:
how do i complement that HAND memory (that i know is necessary, after all), that betrays me so often, with a much more reliable one?

You could just try thinking. Oh whaddya know, Doc?

[shoshin]

If you wanna complement hand memory, practice your pieces slowly very often. Very Slower tempo = forces you to not use hand memory.

I can verify that this worked for me. On some "complicated" pieces(for me) I practiced a section over and over until it was all muscle memory(WHOOPS!) but to get out of it I did exactly what he said: Play it very slowly.

[Bob]

I think part of it depends on how you know the piece and how you learn it.

For knowing it -- can you sing the melody?  Can you play the melody by itself?  Do you know the form, the sections?    Can you "read" this on the page, as opposed to "deciphering" it and remembering it?

For the learning process -- Can you control the piece?  Can you hear the details you studied in your playing?  For example, being able to focus your attention on a voice of a fugue and adjusting the dynamics on that one voice.  Are you aware of these studied details while you play?  It is possible to identify details and then totally forget them while practicing and performing (back to hand memory).

For the piece, do you know what's coming up next?  Can you hear the next line, the next harmony?  Can you picture the score in your mind?  Do you know what section of the piece your in?

Some thoughts off the top of my head anyway...

[qwerty quaver]

The best way to know your piece is to know both hands extremely well even under pressure (exams, concerts...). therefore I try to learn both hands by heart.
I proceed in this way:
first, I play both hands seperately and slowly saying the notes as i play
then I play the first page or a "section" . I stop anywhere, wait for a second and I try to see whether I can continue from that point.
As you gradually do this, you automatically set "markers", places from where you can continue without having to go back to the beginning. these markers are set at small intervals so that you don't have to go back half a page before being able to continue.
I realise that by doing this you know your piece thoroughly and your notes stick in your head for good. you may not be able to recite them, but you know them well.

and the best advice I can give is CONCENTRATION.

hope this helps...

QQ