@LostCircuits
Thank you, that was interesting. I have a feeling the course I mentioned works on some of those principles, particularly making STM more LTM and the role of sleep/zero input.
Personally, I find writing things down really helps getting them into my memory. Scales, arpeggios, chord formulae, intervals, cycle of fifths. Not once but repeatedly over time. Then I can usually 'see' them in my mind's eye. I would like to be able to do the same on the horn, play the song repeatedly so it sinks in.
The saying 'When eating an elephant take one bite at a time' possibly applies here.
I don't know if I'm somehow an odd one out in this post. Memorizing by writing (a non aural exercise) may work for visual learners, yet has no relevance for me, and shouldn't to many others. If I can hear a tune in my head, I can play it, whether it's something I've herd before and familiar with, or I'm just making it up. Vocalizing a tune I'm not immediately "catching" means that I've got it... or will get it eventually. For me music memorization has nothing to do with finger memory, memorizing dots, or pattern repetition. It's hearing it in your head and making it come out of your horn.
This is also how I improvise on novel/new music. I hear the music and what melody, harmony, counterpoint, etc. could fit, so play what I'm hearing and anticipate where it's going. No dots, repetition, academic analysis or theory required... just ears.
It may not be something that everyone can eventually do, yet aural learners aren't all that scarce. If you have any aural learning ability... able to hear and repeat music or sounds you hear, which can be as simple as singing tunes you may have never sung, but know, then you have all you need to memorize music.
Music comes from you. The horn is an intermediary device that can be your voice. The horn can also be your impediment. Many of you seem hung up in trying to make dots or horn/finger playing patterns stick in your brain. That's not music memory, and that should be obvious. Memorize the music instead using your ears.
If most all teaching/learning is based on visual references (a very academic method), then you're missing what may be the most important aspect of music... listening. Once again some very visual learners may not be capable, however brain plasticity for most allows us to adapt to some degree. The relevant question is can you sing a tune you've never sung but know? That's musical memory that did not come from your repeating it, memorizing dots, or patterns. It's pure musical memory. Repeating a musical memory is possible in playing any instrument, but it takes work. You need to make the instrument your voice. Creating music is an extension of playing what you hear in your head.
Unfortunately academic methods and promised "tricks" do not = listening and internalizing music. Nor do most methods of teaching make you one with your instrument. It takes practice directed at that goal, or just an awful lot of playing until your familiarity with your instrument gives you that ability.
Do not waste your time and efforts in making music a continual effort where you are forever translating visual or tactile mental elements/memories into music that you're NOT first hearing in your head. Hearing the music within you comes first in order to play music effectively, giving emphasis and feeling. Otherwise you may be just playing notes (like a flesh based music box) instead of making music.
Caveat: If you are one of the extreme visual learners and wish to play music as it gives you pleasure, do so by whatever means you can. The rest of you have a choice.
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