memorising a tune

Practice helps but each piper approaches learning a tune differently. But having asked around here are some tips:

Rule 1-Concentrate: pay attention to the detail of the tune. That means note the melody/note the rest or long held notes as they set the rhythm of the tune. Try singing or humming the melody.

Rule 2-Memorise one part at a time. In piping the first lines of a tune are called "the ground". Simply, the main melody or theme of the tune. The rest of the tune (parts 2,3,4 etc) will develop "the ground" and create variations. That's what the learner finds difficult as its easy to the get part two mixed with part 3 etc. Hence rule two -memorise one part at a time and know it well before moving to learn a new part.

Rule 3-To test that you have memorised the part sufficiently, stand up and try to march and play the tune at the same time. The old comment about chewing gum and walking at the same time could well apply?

Rule 4: play a little and often and keep returning to the tune and keep building your memory and go at your own speed. Don't try and play a tune at speed too early as its easier to learn to play the tune at a slow speed and then speed up after a few weeks. If you have learned the tune and got the timing and doublings executed well its never a problem.

Rule 5: once learned if you revist the tune in a weeks time, the experts say, you will remember the tune in a months time. Revist the tune in a months time and you will remember it in 2 months time and so on....in other words..practice, practice, practice!

Now, where did I leave that book I got for Christmas ?--- "How to improve your memory" !