The first week of the new year, I shared that I’m preparing to enter my first international piano competition in over 30 years.
(Missed it? You can read it here.)

The volume of music itself wasn’t my concern.
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Memory was. 🤔

At this stage of life, memorizing hours of repertoire, much of it left-hand-only music I’ve never needed to memorize before, forces an uncomfortable question: not how much can I learn, but how reliably can I retain it under pressure.

The Brahms left hand arrangement of Bach’s Chaconne made that question impossible to ignore.
Variation after variation. Endless continuity. Plenty of places to feel confident, and still be lost.

I realized quickly that practicing more wouldn’t solve this.
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So I stopped approaching memory the way I always had and began building a different system, one designed to track where I am, not just whether I can keep going.

I’m still in the process with the Chaconne.
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​🔦 But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and the way I’m working now has already changed how memory feels and how accountable it is.
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​🎼 A tiny practice experiment for you
​Before you play:

• Decide exactly where you’ll begin. (not at the beginning)
• Decide exactly where you’ll stop. (don't go any further)

Now play, without starting earlier “for safety.”

Afterward, ask yourself one question:

Did I know where I was… or did I just keep going?
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​Reply and let me know.

🎵 I’ll share more about how I’m approaching memory in coming emails.

Play On,
Lisa Spector 🎹 🥷

ps If you’re within driving distance of Monterey, CA, I’ll be performing live (for memory!) on Sunday, February 8. All details here. (Use code earlybird at checkout before January 26 for $10 off.)

pps These weekly newsletters are now public here. Thanks for sharing with other pianists who will benefit.