6 Tips for Memorizing Lyrics

In my experience, having the lyrics to our worship songs memorized makes me a better worship leader…period.

Only when I have eliminated the distraction of worrying about what comes next can I authentically communicate the spirit of the song. Here are a few techniques that I have found useful. Hopefully, you will too.

1) Don’t put it off until the last moment!
If you’re introducing a new song on Sunday start memorizing the lyrics on Wednesday. You will be much more successful spending a few minutes everyday for 4 days than trying to cram on Saturday night.  You will know you are prepared if you can recall each verse effortlessly. This is especially true if you are a worship leader who is also an instrumentalist. It’s hard to focus on 2 things at once. If the lyric has become second nature you not only can focus on what the song is saying but on what you’re playing as well.

2) Repeat the words in short phrases one line at a time.
When you’re comfortable with the first line, add the second and repeat together then repeat the first and second lines until mastered then add the third line, etc.

3) Learn the words while listening to the track of the song at home or in the car.
Another good time to memorize is while doing mundane tasks around the house like dong the dishes, making the bed, picking up the house etc.

4) Reversing the order of the verses can be helpful.
Start with verse 2 or 3 and go backwards.

5) Try speaking the lyric to the rhythm of the song instead of singing it.
Do this while performing a task that is repetitive (e.g.: brushing your teeth or loading the dishwasher).

6) Our brains never shut down.
Running through a lyric in your head while going to sleep is an excellent way to reinforce memorization.

Patrick DeRemer has been the Worship Leader for 10 years at Gold Coast Christian Church, a regional church in Ventura County, CA. He is also the creator of a new website; http://www.praisevocals.com. The site was developed primarily for Worship Leaders. It offers downloadable audio files of vocal harmony parts of popular praise and worship songs.

Related posts:

1. Freedom To Change Lyrics?
2. Good to Great: Onscreen Lyrics and Notes – Part 2
3. Top Ten Rehearsal Tips
4. Good to Great: Onscreen Lyrics and Notes – Part 1
5. 6 Simple Tips to Help Your Rehearsal Go Smoothly