How do I memorize a wide variety of songs?

[Kat the metalhead]

So I was wondering how do I memorize more songs and not forget how to play them. I’ve learned so many songs but can only confidently say I have a handful memorized haha if I had to go on stage and perform a set list worth of stuff I couldn’t cuz I learn songs and forget how to play them. Any tips?

 

[ari.mac]

I think it is totally normal to play things and then forget them if you pass on to something else and leave that song for a certain amount of time. If you have a set list to perform, I imagine that it would be rehearsed like hell before performing it and that's what makes it a permanent stay in your memory I think

 

[William B.]

Maybe make a list of similar songs, like with similar chord/shapes, keys or feel and focus practice those ones. Gradually add a song to your list or work on 2 or 3 (in parts) at a time incase you get bored. Could be that the stuff you have memorized better is that you either listened to or played more often than the newer stuff. Probably most important is the "focus" part. The focus here would be "memorize set list". Had a bit more to say but I forgot

 

[Dominik Gräber]

It's the same with everything. Only very few Things stay in our Minds forever. So you have to play the Songs until they become muscle memory and then Play them from time to time.

 

[Ed Seith]

When you start playing in a band, it's six months to a year of playing through the songs in your setlist 3-4x a night 2-3x a week before that first gig. Y'all play shit that much you're gonna remember it. It's about muscle memory and repetition.

There are some songs I picked up after not playing them for 10 years and I remembered the main parts easily and most of the minor parts. By the second or third playthrough, I remembered almost all of it. (not necessarily applicable to fast solos). Newer songs I learn, I don't play as much and therefore forget much quicker.

There are probably still maybe 150-200 songs I know the bulk of and can polish up for audition within a couple days if I needed to (did that once pre-pandemic and wound up thinking the rest of the band were losers, but oh well).

 

[Calvin Phillips]

You'll always forget songs if you stop.playing them. I'm more then confident revem syn himself has to reteach himself some songs for the tours. Especially songs they never play.

With that said I'd you dont wanna forget it.. find a way to play it in your regular rotation .

 

[Chris Johnston]

Everyone's hit the nail in the head already with replies, but if you really don't want to forget a certain set of tunes, make them into a 'set' and run through them either every day or every few days like you would if you were rehearsing for a gig

 

[Kat the metalhead]

Thanks so much everyone all these replies help a ton! I do have a set list I made to practice. it has 3 songs so far but I’m gonna add on as I get comfy playing each song! @ari.mac @William Byerley @Dominik Gräber @Ed Seith @Calvin Phillips @Chris Johnston

 

[Saoirse Byrne]

It’s normal to forget things you haven’t done in a while, everyone does it! The only way to remember songs or anything tbh is repetition. Play whatever it is everyday and it will become muscle memory

 

[LOde]

Try playing a song over and over a few or more times a day for a few or more days until it becomes muscle memory. I also keep a little notebook by my amp where I write what fret or string or chord a song starts with (and sometimes add which fret to go to during the major changes in the song) so I can glance at it if I haven't played that song in a while.