Other than reading the lyrics over and over, does anyone have any tips on what methods to remember lyrics with? I always need a karaoke setup. Everyone else makes it seem so easy! I really struggle with remembering even the simplest lyrics.
EX: Mary Had A Little... Whaa?
Thanks.
Singing is better than reading… even if you have to read while singing.
Terry:
I tell my students to learn the last line of a song first, then the pennultimate line, then the antipennultimate line, then the first line. That is if you are trying to learn lyrics or memorize tab.
Two reasons for this is: 1) you start a song many more times than you finish a song, 2) you want a solid ending.
YMMV
Heavythumb
I agree with Scott: sing it over and over and over. The more you sing and pick, the easier it becomes to remember the lines. One hint: many bluegrass songs are rhyming type songs where the first and 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines or1st & 3rd, 2nd & 4th lines rhyme. On many bluegrass songs the chorus is always the same so you actually sing it much more than the verses. Work more on remembering the verses.
Another hint: many bluegrass songs tell a story. Get the story in your mind and the words will come out easier.
I used to print out a copy of a song I wanted to learn. I'd then keep it in the car and sing it while driving to work, only intermittently checking the written copy.
Take the extra time to write out the song in long hand.
I agree whole heartedly with Steve.....write the lyrics free hand. also when getting ready to sing use the chorus to set your memory going also works.
Another useful tip is to learn what word is attached to the chord change.
