Memorizing the exercises?

[andrewjohnsson40]

Do you think simple exercices should me memorized or played by using sheet music?
I myself am doing simple exercises and they seem super easy to memorize.
I don't like looking at sheet music when playing. Perhaps most people play those exercises by looking at the sheet music as most people cannot memorize simple music.

 

[Tom]

Hi Hank,

Seems like a waste of time to memorize exercises when you could be spending the time memorizing tunes. I think it is best to perform from memory. I also think it is good to know how to read from sheet music if learning new songs by ear is difficult for you, or as a memory aid. Good luck!

 

[andrewjohnsson40]

Why would it be a waste of time memorizing simple patterns if tunes are based on these patterns?

 

[dunlustin]

Sometimes I do exercises to improve sight reading which clearly means not memorising.
Otherwise, if it is to work on fluency then maybe it doesn't matter.
I find that to really know something I need to play it without the dots. As long as the sheet is there, it is as if my brain thinks there is not much point in knowing it by heart.
Perhaps you have memorised a tune if, when playing you can think about what comes next.
I like to be a bit choosey with exercises - can't see the point of whole tone scales and arpeggios if I don't play that sort of music.
I guess the question is: What's it for?' And if that is not clear, how helpful is it?
Example:
succession of root- based chords (eg I IV V) - useful for movement on the keyboard.
succession of chords with inversions - useful for accompanying with least hand movement.

 

[JeffJetton]

If the exercise is pattern-based, then personally I think it's a great idea to memorize it. Especially if you're learning it by figuring out and internalizing the underlying pattern. That enables you to apply that pattern beyond the particular exercise, in different keys, etc.

 

[Zevy]

I play the Hanon for accordion exercises almost every day. It's 90% by memory; especially the right hand, which is in an obvious pattern.