Boy, what a good question. Like Andy,, I'’ve been playing and singing for 60 years and I have hundreds of songs in my head. I really have no idea how I memorized them, but one thing I notice is that is often tricky for me to pick up a song or an arrangement in the middle, especially in the middle of a verse or chorus. I find it much easier to remember if I start at the start. I also notice that I don’t make much of a conscious effort to remember words and arrangements; they just sort of flow out of me. It’s kind of like tying your shoes or walking down stairs. You don’t think about what you are doing; your fingers or legs just seem to know what to do This suggests to me that playing by heart is essentially a right brain function. This meshes with Andy’s comment about putting yourself in the song and not just reciting words, something I completely agree with. Find the meaning, find the emotion, and the words will come easier. But I think there is one more thing you can do: As you are learning, try to get away from using your left brain as much as possible and make your right brain do some heavy lifting. For example, when you are first learning a new song you often need written material showing the words and chord changes. Following written material is largely left brain work. As soon as you can, lose the written material and try to just remember the words and hear the chord changes. Easier said than done, of course, but you’ll get better with practice. Another thing you can do is practice picking out melodies by ear rather than relying on written notation like tab. Eventurally, you’ll find that you don’t have to remember how to play a song. All you have to do is remember how it goes, and your fingers will just find the right notes. Sounds like magic, but it happens.
Hi, thanks for this .... as a left handed person - I'm a bit confused, but that is a common state for me. Thank you for tis, I will think further about this conscious separation.
You are correct that music and song are right brain, and one of the last things to go. With dementia, righty remember, lefty lose it. There was a lady who lost her speech from a mini-stroke. The speech therapist came early one day to discover she would sing clearly pronouncing the words. The therapist changed her plan, and the singing brought back speech. That was one miracle I saw playing for folks. I sang the lady's favorite songs, and she sang along. So yes, music in the heart (right brain) is the way to go. I try to find each residents' favorite tune, and sing that each time. I don't find it repetitive because of the smiles the tune exudes. Thanks again
Wayfaring Stranger: one evening, Dad was trying to sing parts of it, but he couldn't recall all the words or title. I found it was the Burl Ives theme from his 1940-41 radio show. I kinda follow that version, progressing from finger picking , melody, and more. All very different from yours. But that's what Dad liked, so that's what I sing/play. Thanks, Andy
Thank you George, I need to work up some more videos now, so there might be a bit of a gap, but I always welcome comments and question, Regards, Andy .
Well, thank you so much for addressing my question. I completely agree with your view that you have to tell the story, when you sing a song. So, when it is a song, which means something to me, I never have trouble remembering the words. In most cases, remembering the chord changes comes with that. But what I really have trouble with is remembering small licks and fill-ins or bass runs, which deviate from the standard picking or strumming pattern (mostly fingerpicking in my case). This is true at least the ones I haven't come up with myself, but which come from the "original" versions of the artist, who wrote the song. So, in these cases a cheat sheet is my only option. 😄 BTW my screen nickname simply comes from my first and middle names, Alexander and Steven.
Collings are expensive, but they sound so good, that is a real gem! Great explanation on how you approach a song, made a lot of sense, and great examples.
Ho Mojo, Yes, and yes. That one, my 0002h, has been with me since 2005, and like most, I bought it second hand. It is truly "on song" now. Thanks as always.
Hi Andy, erik from holland here. Your videos are very helpfull i am progressing in my gitarplaying becouse of it. The last few years i wonder why i can not play my songs whitout a headset and youtube-playalong video's. Yes it helped me leurning/practising, but when im trying to play my most favorite ones from hearth only a medly from melodys comes out? Im a 53jr old youngster and i worry abouth my memory sometimes.. Studying the songs i like in more details what its abouth in the text really helps me to remember. It isnt strange at all now ive seen your video, thank you for sharing your knowledge&experianche ❤ Greetings from holland!
Hoi Erik, Bedankt dat je contact hebt opgenomen. Op mijn 76e heb ik zeker geheugenproblemen, maar net als spieren is de beste manier om de hersenen actief te houden, door ze uit te dagen. Wilt u een-op-een begeleiding overwegen? Ik help je graag verder. Ol' Andy
Nice video, Andy. I have 125 'Hymns and Patriotic' songs and over double that with folk, country, Americana, and other (John Denver, Glen Campbell, Presley, Peter, Paul and Mary, and others). I have a few I wrote myself. I have a large (font) print sheet for each tune. I try to find positive, upbeat songs because others may put the (memory care) residents in a bad state of mind and make them difficult. I try to memorize the words & chords first. Then figure out the progression from simple to full, like you demonstrated.
That's good, and great that you share it in the old folks homes. I have a friend who plays hits of the '50s and '60s in homes locally. Sadly I doubt that my material would be appreciated.
There is a reason my two go too channels on TH-cam are silly Moustache and Michael Watts. The reason is quite simply that you have always had the lessons that are important to learners. The channels that only teach songs word for word just sucks the life out of it and doesn’t teach the importance of stringing chords together imo.
Hi and thanks. I know Michael and we have met a number of times , even played together once. We were both influenced by Isaac Guillory but in different ways. I'll say this now - Michael is by far the better musician than I. Michael is a very fine guitarist, whereas I'm a singer (or was) who plays guitar a bit. Regarding the many and various "song tutorials" i must agree. That's why I say (could be a cliche) that I don't teach songs, I teach you - although I'll use songs of interest to my clients to teach technique that they can apply to any other songs. Sorry to whitter on - but thanks for the kind comment.
Hi Andy. I wonder if I could get some advice from you regarding first time public performances. A local pub to me has a weekly open mic night I go to occasionally. I play for my own pleasure, and occasionally will play a single song or two for my family. But I've been thinking about if I should give an open mic a go. Their "rules" are a plugged in acoustic, 3 song sets. I know some eclectic songs, but I feel that my best stuff is sad old blues numbers. Is it too much to give the audience such a downer 3 songs running? I'd like to know what your thought process is when it comes to making a set list, what songs you will perform, ones that you wouldn't, the order of the songs you play and why? Also if you would change a set list on the fly if you feel the audience isn't responding the way you thought? If you also had any advice of things I should be aware of having never performed in public before, I would also be all ears. Have a good one!
Hi Dylan, I did a video about this about a year or two ago. so this might help - let me know - (and apologies for my voice, I had throat trouble at the time) th-cam.com/video/C0M7dKB0lQo/w-d-xo.html
Great! Do you play any Willie Nelson songs? You should. Your voice, phrasing and guitar playing are kind of similar. Try You Were Always On My Mind. You will like it. Just saying.
Since we last shared emails about that left handed Fylde guitar I bought from auction things have taken a cruel turn. I’ve been having various tests for over a year for chronic fatigue but for the past few months it’s developed into full body pain in my joints at night and here is the cruel part..... my hands have red inflammation making them so weak and painful I cannot form a fist without pain. Naturally playing the guitar has taken a back seat. Seem to remember you having surgery on your hands and was wondering what that was. It’s suspected that I have an auto immune thing like fibromyalgia but someone suggested carpal tunnel syndrome?
Hi, so sorry to hear this. I was struck down in January 1983 with intense joint pain and chronic fatigue. It was later diagnosed as lymphatic sarcoidosis, but it may have been Lyme disease, and/or "ME" as it was a very low time caring for my Dad with Alzheimers while trying to hold down a job I hated. I suffered from CTS a lot and had many cortizone jabs, until I learned to fret more gently. I've had two trigger finger release ops and I have "vikings" disease - Dupuytrens Contracture. Now I'm wearing an "appliance" as I have arthritis in my CMC joints mostly in right thumb. All unrelated I believe, but old age has many little tricks to play. Get that chronic fatigue business correctly diagnosed and treated!
Wow thanks for the information as it does feel like nowadays one has to go to the Drs with a possible diagnosis in mind🤔 it’s been suggested that after looking after my dad the whole time with Alzheimer’s that the upset can’t be underestimated. As it’s an internal thing I have had people thinking that I’m just being soft but I’m very realistic about pain on a scale with 10 being burned alive I would put this as an unbearable 7 with waves of pain and Electric shocks coursing through my body at night. I can’t really fault the Dr who got me an urgent MRI brain scan to rule things out. The fatigue feels like I’m carrying around lead weights with a nights sleep making no difference. Both hands and fingers are visibly red and swollen which makes fretting and even holding a pick difficult. I’ll look into the thing you had.. thanks again
Boy, what a good question. Like Andy,, I'’ve been playing and singing for 60 years and I have hundreds of songs in my head. I really have no idea how I memorized them, but one thing I notice is that is often tricky for me to pick up a song or an arrangement in the middle, especially in the middle of a verse or chorus. I find it much easier to remember if I start at the start. I also notice that I don’t make much of a conscious effort to remember words and arrangements; they just sort of flow out of me. It’s kind of like tying your shoes or walking down stairs. You don’t think about what you are doing; your fingers or legs just seem to know what to do
This suggests to me that playing by heart is essentially a right brain function. This meshes with Andy’s comment about putting yourself in the song and not just reciting words, something I completely agree with. Find the meaning, find the emotion, and the words will come easier. But I think there is one more thing you can do: As you are learning, try to get away from using your left brain as much as possible and make your right brain do some heavy lifting. For example, when you are first learning a new song you often need written material showing the words and chord changes. Following written material is largely left brain work. As soon as you can, lose the written material and try to just remember the words and hear the chord changes. Easier said than done, of course, but you’ll get better with practice. Another thing you can do is practice picking out melodies by ear rather than relying on written notation like tab. Eventurally, you’ll find that you don’t have to remember how to play a song. All you have to do is remember how it goes, and your fingers will just find the right notes. Sounds like magic, but it happens.
Hi, thanks for this .... as a left handed person - I'm a bit confused, but that is a common state for me. Thank you for tis, I will think further about this conscious separation.
You are correct that music and song are right brain, and one of the last things to go. With dementia, righty remember, lefty lose it. There was a lady who lost her speech from a mini-stroke. The speech therapist came early one day to discover she would sing clearly pronouncing the words. The therapist changed her plan, and the singing brought back speech. That was one miracle I saw playing for folks. I sang the lady's favorite songs, and she sang along. So yes, music in the heart (right brain) is the way to go. I try to find each residents' favorite tune, and sing that each time. I don't find it repetitive because of the smiles the tune exudes. Thanks again
Some very fine playing putting together those flourishes for this song. Thanks for the lesson. I appreciated it.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Wayfaring Stranger: one evening, Dad was trying to sing parts of it, but he couldn't recall all the words or title. I found it was the Burl Ives theme from his 1940-41 radio show. I kinda follow that version, progressing from finger picking , melody, and more. All very different from yours. But that's what Dad liked, so that's what I sing/play.
Thanks, Andy
Hi Tex, It would be interesting to see/hear it! Andy
@@SillyMoustache I will see what I could do.
you sing and play sublimely, my friend .. . just lovely.
Thank you so much 😀
I love your videos. You do not look 76. Music must be the fountain of youth
Thanks Conor ... I'll pass on your kind comments to the make-up department hehe!
Wonderful Andy. Great advice and a primer about how to present a song. I always look forward to you uploading new videos. Thanks
Thank you George, I need to work up some more videos now, so there might be a bit of a gap, but I always welcome comments and question, Regards, Andy .
Well, thank you so much for addressing my question. I completely agree with your view that you have to tell the story, when you sing a song. So, when it is a song, which means something to me, I never have trouble remembering the words. In most cases, remembering the chord changes comes with that. But what I really have trouble with is remembering small licks and fill-ins or bass runs, which deviate from the standard picking or strumming pattern (mostly fingerpicking in my case). This is true at least the ones I haven't come up with myself, but which come from the "original" versions of the artist, who wrote the song. So, in these cases a cheat sheet is my only option. 😄
BTW my screen nickname simply comes from my first and middle names, Alexander and Steven.
Hi Alexander, I do hope that my little video was useful, and thanks for suggesting a subject that I really had to think about.
Collings are expensive, but they sound so good, that is a real gem! Great explanation on how you approach a song, made a lot of sense, and great examples.
Ho Mojo, Yes, and yes. That one, my 0002h, has been with me since 2005, and like most, I bought it second hand. It is truly "on song" now. Thanks as always.
Hi Andy… you should perform instrumental songs in public … you are GREAT! Great video. Thanks for sharing thanks for the tips. Have a good weekend.
Thank you. I do play instrumentals with my old pal Mando Bob, Sadly he doesn't like being recorded. We'll see.
Hi Andy, erik from holland here. Your videos are very helpfull i am progressing in my gitarplaying becouse of it.
The last few years i wonder why i can not play my songs whitout a headset and youtube-playalong video's.
Yes it helped me leurning/practising, but when im trying to play my most favorite ones from hearth only a medly from melodys comes out?
Im a 53jr old youngster and i worry abouth my memory sometimes..
Studying the songs i like in more details what its abouth in the text really helps me to remember.
It isnt strange at all now ive seen your video, thank you for sharing your knowledge&experianche ❤
Greetings from holland!
Hoi Erik, Bedankt dat je contact hebt opgenomen. Op mijn 76e heb ik zeker geheugenproblemen, maar net als spieren is de beste manier om de hersenen actief te houden, door ze uit te dagen. Wilt u een-op-een begeleiding overwegen? Ik help je graag verder. Ol' Andy
Nice , Andy.
Thank you!
Nice video, Andy. I have 125 'Hymns and Patriotic' songs and over double that with folk, country, Americana, and other (John Denver, Glen Campbell, Presley, Peter, Paul and Mary, and others). I have a few I wrote myself. I have a large (font) print sheet for each tune. I try to find positive, upbeat songs because others may put the (memory care) residents in a bad state of mind and make them difficult. I try to memorize the words & chords first. Then figure out the progression from simple to full, like you demonstrated.
That's good, and great that you share it in the old folks homes. I have a friend who plays hits of the '50s and '60s in homes locally. Sadly I doubt that my material would be appreciated.
@SillyMoustache out here in Montana it would. I have a Campfire session of western & cowboy tunes.
There is a reason my two go too channels on TH-cam are silly Moustache and Michael Watts. The reason is quite simply that you have always had the lessons that are important to learners. The channels that only teach songs word for word just sucks the life out of it and doesn’t teach the importance of stringing chords together imo.
Hi and thanks. I know Michael and we have met a number of times , even played together once. We were both influenced by Isaac Guillory but in different ways. I'll say this now - Michael is by far the better musician than I. Michael is a very fine guitarist, whereas I'm a singer (or was) who plays guitar a bit. Regarding the many and various "song tutorials" i must agree. That's why I say (could be a cliche) that I don't teach songs, I teach you - although I'll use songs of interest to my clients to teach technique that they can apply to any other songs. Sorry to whitter on - but thanks for the kind comment.
Hello! I have not seen your videos in a while. Hope you are doing well. Take care, be well!
Hi Jerrel, well there are plenty to catch up on! Your comments are always welcome, Andy
Hi Andy. I wonder if I could get some advice from you regarding first time public performances.
A local pub to me has a weekly open mic night I go to occasionally. I play for my own pleasure, and occasionally will play a single song or two for my family. But I've been thinking about if I should give an open mic a go.
Their "rules" are a plugged in acoustic, 3 song sets.
I know some eclectic songs, but I feel that my best stuff is sad old blues numbers. Is it too much to give the audience such a downer 3 songs running?
I'd like to know what your thought process is when it comes to making a set list, what songs you will perform, ones that you wouldn't, the order of the songs you play and why? Also if you would change a set list on the fly if you feel the audience isn't responding the way you thought?
If you also had any advice of things I should be aware of having never performed in public before, I would also be all ears.
Have a good one!
Hi Dylan, I did a video about this about a year or two ago. so this might help - let me know - (and apologies for my voice, I had throat trouble at the time) th-cam.com/video/C0M7dKB0lQo/w-d-xo.html
@@SillyMoustache Haha, excellent. It was like that video was pre-made to answer my question. Thanks!
Great! Do you play any Willie Nelson songs? You should. Your voice, phrasing and guitar playing are kind of similar. Try You Were Always On My Mind. You will like it. Just saying.
Yes, a Few : th-cam.com/video/CHJZE9tCuA0/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/Zal2XOtnmf8/w-d-xo.html
@@SillyMoustache Very nice indeed. I especially like the sound of that Waterloo.
Since we last shared emails about that left handed Fylde guitar I bought from auction things have taken a cruel turn. I’ve been having various tests for over a year for chronic fatigue but for the past few months it’s developed into full body pain in my joints at night and here is the cruel part..... my hands have red inflammation making them so weak and painful I cannot form a fist without pain. Naturally playing the guitar has taken a back seat. Seem to remember you having surgery on your hands and was wondering what that was. It’s suspected that I have an auto immune thing like fibromyalgia but someone suggested carpal tunnel syndrome?
Hi, so sorry to hear this. I was struck down in January 1983 with intense joint pain and chronic fatigue. It was later diagnosed as lymphatic sarcoidosis, but it may have been Lyme disease, and/or "ME" as it was a very low time caring for my Dad with Alzheimers while trying to hold down a job I hated. I suffered from CTS a lot and had many cortizone jabs, until I learned to fret more gently. I've had two trigger finger release ops and I have "vikings" disease - Dupuytrens Contracture. Now I'm wearing an "appliance" as I have arthritis in my CMC joints mostly in right thumb. All unrelated I believe, but old age has many little tricks to play. Get that chronic fatigue business correctly diagnosed and treated!
Wow thanks for the information as it does feel like nowadays one has to go to the Drs with a possible diagnosis in mind🤔 it’s been suggested that after looking after my dad the whole time with Alzheimer’s that the upset can’t be underestimated. As it’s an internal thing I have had people thinking that I’m just being soft but I’m very realistic about pain on a scale with 10 being burned alive I would put this as an unbearable 7 with waves of pain and Electric shocks coursing through my body at night. I can’t really fault the Dr who got me an urgent MRI brain scan to rule things out. The fatigue feels like I’m carrying around lead weights with a nights sleep making no difference. Both hands and fingers are visibly red and swollen which makes fretting and even holding a pick difficult. I’ll look into the thing you had.. thanks again