Memory Map for Music
  • Introduction
  • How to begin: a single-line scale exercise
  • Mapping a short, single-line etude
  • Mapping a simple, single-line melody
  • Memory-Map Template
  • Maps for Flute: concerto, orchestral excerpt
  • Map for Piano: Bartok's Hungarian Folk Song
  • Map for Piano: Brahms' Cappriccio
  • Student Map for Piano: Kabalevsky Folk Dance
  • Mapping a Song Text
  • For Further Reading
  • About the Authors
Map of song text: “Se Florindo è fedele” 

For singers, the primary challenge is memorizing the words to a song – especially in a foreign language. Before her students begin learning a new song in a foreign language, Professor Jean Del Santo at the University of Minnesota instructs her students to (1) write out a literal, word-for-word translation of the text; (2) put the key words on a piece of paper; and (3) draw a picture representing each key word. (In this example, the feather is a symbol for tickling – or “teasing” – as suggested by the repetition of “m’innamorerò”.)
Picture
Se Florindo è fedele
Italian Text:
Se Florindo è fedele io m’innamorerò…
Potrà ben l’arco tendere il faretrato arcier,
Ch’io mi saprò difendere d’un guardo lusinghier.
Preghi, pianti e querele, io non ascolterò
Ma se sarà fedele io m’innamorerò… (etc)

English Translation:
If Florindo is faithful, I shall fall in love…
However well the skillful archer draws the tender bow,
I can defend myself from any alluring glance.
Pleading, crying, and quarreling – I will not listen!
But if he is faithful, I shall fall in love… (etc)

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