How Memorization Changes the Relationship Between Pianist and Music

One of the most significant effects of memorizing a piece is that it dramatically shifts the dynamic between the pianist and the music. This is a topic worthy of its own article, but for now I will just say that once you’ve memorized a piece, you cease to merely play the piano, and you start to truly interact with the music. This is because, as discussed above, you are no longer preoccupied with the physical act of playing, and you can devote more of your attention to the sound and feel of the music. Memorization also changes the relationship in a more subtle way: once you have the music safely tucked away in your long-term memory, you are no longer worried about what’s coming up, and you can finally enjoy what’s happening right now.

While the importance of memorization is often discussed in terms of necessity of performance, its true significance is that it completely changes the way one approaches music-making. The removal of the score allows the pianist to focus on the auditory, kinesthetic, and communicative aspects of playing an instrument, resulting in a sense of ownership of the music. Instead of playing something that exists on the page, the musician feels as though the music now exists inside him/her. S/he is no longer playing the instructions dictated by the composer; s/he is recalling a musical idea.

Memorization reinforces several levels of comprehension. While the initial repetitions lead to finger memory, secure memorization depends on remembering chord changes, structural signposts, and motivic relationships. Once these are clearly understood, memory is more secure. Instead of depending on finger memory alone (which can betray one under stress), the performer develops a thought process that carries the music forward even if a momentary lapse occurs. This support of other kinds of learning results in security and less stress.

Thirdly, memorization makes you pay more attention to how you sound. When you don’t have to look at the music, you listen more carefully to the sound, balance, and shaping of the notes. Aspects of your playing that you may not have paid much attention to when reading music, such as the way the different voices blend together or the character of long-held chords, become more prominent and can dramatically influence your playing. Your overall sound and expression will likely improve as you focus less on what’s coming up next and more on what you’re playing in the moment. You’re not just executing notes, but experiencing the music.

Another advantage is greater physical liberty. If you don’t have to look at the sheet music, you don’t have to stay hunched over and you can move your fingers by touch instead of looking where you’re placing them. This makes phrasing and contrasts more free flowing because your body can react to what you feel instead of looking to see where you are. In concerts, you can communicate more with the audience.

Finally, memorization makes a piece “stick” in the brain, allowing the player to recall it, tinker with it, and recreate it as needed. With each review of the piece, more subtle details become apparent, both from a deepening comprehension of the music and from the music’s own complexities. The result of this process is not a “final” version of the piece but rather a living piece that can continue to develop with the player.