Posted by Joe S. on February 18, 2000 at 19:55:41:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Memorizing etudes posted by Steve Lamb on February 18, 2000 at 12:17:08:
I have to line up behind Steve.
I really never would be interested in devoting hours in my life to memorizing etudes that I wouldn't be performing (although without intending to, I have memorized a good bit of stuff that didn't need to be memorized), but I do know that if one investigates a piece of performance music enough to know every note, rest, tempo marking, and dynamic level in the piece, that along with that study come many creative ideas pertaining to the INTERPRETATION of those black marks all over the page. Further, studying a piece extensively enough to memorize it often goes hand-in-hand with technical virtuosity - at least as it pertains to that particular piece. Memorization is just one of the indicators of a high level of discipline...
...but etudes? memorized intentionally? not me.