How Not to Forget Song Lyrics and Nail Your Performance

It happens even to the best of us, we forget song lyrics in the middle of a performance in spite of constant singing practice. I can just imagine how embarrassing it is, but sometimes it is inevitable for both amateurs and professional singers to forget the lyrics, especially if they try so hard to focus on showcasing their best singing vocal technique up on stage and neglect the other key elements in a successful performance.

But there are many other reasons why singers forget the lyrics of the song. One could be stage fright, which is common to many amateur singers. Second could be the condition of utter forgetfulness. Third could be lack of practice. So how then can you overcome forgetting song lyrics?

Learn how to sing well with these handy tips, without forgetting the song lyrics:

• Read and go over the words in your song in short bursts, which are rather deemed way effective than cramming and memorizing it up in several hours.

• Write down important notes on the song’s imagery and theme.

• Record yourself singing and speaking the lyrics.

• Speak and sing the song’s rhythm.

• Either type or write the words while repeating them.

• Associate the foreign words in the song with the ones you already know.

• Study the words carefully while trying to play a practice track during odd jobs or while in the car.

• Study the lyrics of the song in reverse order. Last verse is first and then go over the words several times of the day.

• As a singing practice, go through the song every day, including speaking the words out loud.

• Make use of humorous, vibrant, exaggerated symbols and images that would help you correlate with the words in the song in case you forget it. Put these singing images together to create a journey during the song.

• Learn by heart the words of the song even without music. Later, put the words together with the music.

• Imagine the song and words in your head as if you’re listening to it, even while watching TV or doing something else.

• Our brain, they say, keeps working at night, so take hold of that and begin singing lessons routine before bedtime.

• Come up with a practice tape where you can keep a record of singing practices you have done. Listen to it over and over again till you fall asleep.

• When studying how to back up vocals or harmonies, record your part on one tape and then record the parts of the rest of the singers on another tape. Study both. Practice your part first. After mastering your part, listen to the other tape and sing as if you’re blending with the rest of the singers recorded on tape.

• Perform a verse, as you do something repetitive.

• Make copies of your song everywhere–in your car or room, anywhere applicable. Repeat the words whenever you can.

• Always take with you a portable audio player with headphones, so you can listen to your recording anytime, anywhere.

• And when you think you have successfully memorized the lyrics of the song and can sing it in front of people even blindfolded, reward yourself for all the hard work you have done.

Singing on stage with a large crowd is, of course, terrifying, especially for new singers. But to become a singer, one has to take the leap and conquer fears. Consider scheduling a regular singing practice to polish your craft. And if it does happen that you still forget the lyrics of the song with all these tips mentioned, simply charge it to singing experience, but make sure to learn your lessons thereafter.