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Confronting Memory:
A one-day seminar in memorization techniques for pianists
Eve Wolf, instructor
Next seminar:
To be announced
Please contact me if you would like to be notified about the next seminar.
“The true art of memory is the art of attention.”
-- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Playing from memory is often considered a pianist's greatest feat, but for many pianists it is also the greatest source of fear. Yet memorization as such is rarely taught at all at piano lessons; at best, it is taught haphazardly. As a result, many pianists memorize their pieces without thoroughly understanding the memorization process. When haphazard memorization is paired with general performance anxiety, the result can be disastrous.
Confronting Memory: a one-day seminar in memorization techniques for pianists offers rigorous techniques and methodical strategies for strengthening memory and building a solid approach to memorization.
The one-day seminar covers such topics as
- physiological and psychological aspects of memory
- conscious and unconscious memory
- memory modes
It offers practical memorization techniques:
- structural memory points
- visual cues
- mnemonics
- fingering memorization
- harmonic analysis as a memory tool
- hands-separate memorization
- memorization away from the keyboard
- recovery during and after memory slips
- techniques to stay focused during a performance
The seminar will also address a host of other issues, including
- living with the risk of memory slips
- rest, medication, diet
- memorization in chamber music
- general philosophical questions about why we memorize and how basic attitudes affect performance
In addition to a lecture and group discussions, there will be a memory practicum with student participation that will deal with issues of concert preparation.
The goal of the seminar is to introduce students to a wide variety of tools that they can adapt to their individual needs as they confront memory issues. Students who implement these techniques will be better equipped to deepen their understanding of the works they play and to tackle memorization and its accompanying anxieties.
Eve Wolf, pianist, author, teacher, and Founder and Executive Artistic Director of the Ensemble for the Romantic Century (www.romanticcentury.org) received her BA from Columbia University and an MA in Piano Performance from New York University. She is an active performer and teaches piano at Columbia University Teachers College. Ms. Wolf has studied and taught memorization at the piano for the past 25 years.
Schedule:
10:00-12:00 lecture
12:00-1:00 break
1:00-4:00 lecture, group discussion, practicum with student participation
4:00-5:00 Q & A session, coffee and refreshments
Tuition: $125 For university and conservatory students with ID: $100
Information: 212 288-8020
Registration Form: Get your registration form here.
The techniques that you taught apply, not only to memory, although that is the primary focus; but, to learning music in general. A thorough understanding of the score is not something that is automatic. On Sunday, I began practicing the Brahms Cello Sonata in F major, which I have been learning throughout this semester at Mannes. I decided to play the left hand only; and, realized in the first movement where my problem has been all along. The problem, of course, lay in my not knowing the left hand. That is being remedied.
And I have flagged the Smetana Trio in so many places where I have to look at hands to negotiate the endless octaves.
You have inspired me to return to solo piano music with a completely different understanding of what has to happen in order to memorize and be able to play pieces for friends.
I thank you for being a superior pedagogue and look forward to the return of the Ensemble.
Best
Susanne