Why you should learn to play by memory?

Learning
to play a piece of music by memory is an essential skill for any
musician. It requires a considerable amount of practice, discipline, and
focus. However, the benefits of memorizing music are numerous and can
greatly enhance your playing and performance. In this article, we will
discuss the importance of learning pieces of music by memory.

1. Mastery of the Piece

Memorizing
a piece of music allows you to achieve a deeper level of understanding
and mastery. When you memorize a piece, you become intimately familiar
with its structure, melody, and harmony. You can focus on nuances that
might be missed if you were reading the music. This level of familiarity
helps you interpret the music in a more meaningful way and makes it
easier to express yourself through your playing.

2. Confidence

Playing
a piece of music from memory can give you a significant confidence
boost. When you don’t have to rely on sheet music or a prompter, you
feel more in control of the performance. You can concentrate on your
technique and expressiveness instead of worrying about turning the pages
or losing your place in the music. Confidence is essential for any
musician, and memorizing music can help you build it.

3. Stage Presence

Memorizing
music is a vital component of developing stage presence. When you play
from memory, you can focus on your audience and your performance instead
of staring at a sheet of music. This engagement with your audience
helps create a connection between you and them, enhancing the overall
experience for everyone. Playing from memory also allows you to move
around the stage more freely, which can make for a more dynamic and
engaging performance.

4. Improvisation

Memorizing
music can also improve your ability to improvise. When you have a
thorough understanding of the structure and melody of a piece, you can
improvise more confidently and effectively. You can draw upon your
knowledge of the music to create new and exciting variations on the
original theme. This ability to improvise can be particularly useful
when playing with other musicians or in jam sessions.

5. Brain Training

Finally,
memorizing music can have cognitive benefits. Studies have shown that
learning and memorizing music can improve cognitive function, including
memory, attention, and processing speed. Playing from memory requires
you to use your memory recall skills, which can help keep your mind
sharp and focused. This mental exercise can be particularly beneficial
for older musicians or those looking to maintain their cognitive
function as they age.

In conclusion, learning to play a piece of
music by memory is a valuable skill that can benefit musicians in
numerous ways. It can deepen your understanding and mastery of the
music, boost your confidence, enhance your stage presence, improve your
ability to improvise, and even have cognitive benefits. While memorizing
music can be challenging, the rewards are well worth the effort.