Studying Music
The visual memory is the best memory for music. Many of the better musicians who learn music readily and remember it well have the visual memory. They can see the page, the bar, and the notes in the mind's eye. This ability can be developed in the child by the use of the exercises for visualization given in the first book. When the child begins to study music give part of the time to practice of visualizing and memorizing music.
First, teach him to visualize a perfect clef. Draw imperfect ones on paper or slate and have the child tell what is the matter with them. Draw different notes and have him become thoroughly familiar with them by reproducing them. Have him draw the whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes, etc.
Teach the child the division of time by grouping the notes with reference to beats. Write a line of notes and have him divide them into groups of whole note value. Then indicate a certain time to be followed and have him divide other rows of notes into bars in accordance with the time indicated.
Teach the child the different rests by the same visual process. Have him write bars of music using the different rests and completing the bar of given time by filling in with the proper notes. Teach the use of sharps and flats and the difference in signatures by the same visual process. Let all practice be simple in the beginning and increase in complexity as he grows older.
Teach the child to combine the use of the eye and ear in musical practice. Have him transfer ear impressions to visual ones by seeing the notes on a staff as he hears the tone. Write a few bars of a familiar tune and have the child tell what it is.
Another application of the visual memory is to look carefully at the staff, then close the eyes and see it in the mind's eye, then look back and correct and improve the picture. Another plan is to see the staff exaggerated in size, covering the entire wall of the room. This exaggerated picture can be colored according to the above suggestions.
It will be helpful to take the piece which is to be memorized, and after fixing the picture of it in mind write it upon a blank staff. Keep improving this written copy of music, writing only that part of the score which is seen clearly. These methods will help to improve the visual ability to carry a picture of the page; and continuous practice with them will help in improving the ability to memorize in this way.
Be systematic in all your efforts. It is best first to memorize the words, then the air, then the technical part. A thorough understanding of the composition and its general plan will be of assistance.
In learning songs apply the principles given in the second book, and learn the words thoroughly. This will enable you to devote all of your time and attention to the technical part of the music. When you do not know the words thoroughly your attention is divided between learning the technical part of the music and recalling the words. Better master one thing at a time and do that well.