How to Learn a New Song & Why We Love Abby Wambach

Two VERY different things you may think however, recently, Glennon Doyle posted a video of soccer superstar (and Glennon’s wife) learning ALL of the lyrics to EVERY SINGLE TAYLOR SWIFT SONG, specifically the bridge to Cruel Summer. (Maybe she should check out last week’s Music Minute Monday?)

Most of the comments were making fun of Abby for printing out all of the lyrics as a way to learn them but honestly? We’re HERE for it. Just ask any of my students! The first thing I have my students do when learning a new song is print out their lyrics. Why? There is a mental/physical connection not only to having the words and music in your hand but also to writing down notes to yourself on the lyrics to help you remember certain moments of the song. For example, you can mark your breaths, you can break the song in to sections so it’s not so daunting, you can make notes on the rhythm, etc.!

Have you ever noticed that when you’re learning something, repeatedly writing or typing the information down helps you remember better? The same goes for learning a song!

Trying to remember lyrics? Copy them on a new piece of paper. Can’t remember where to breathe? Write down a check mark where you’re supposed to breathe. Forget to do the thing you wrote down for yourself? Circle it or emphasize it! Forget it a third time? EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! My high school teacher, Mr. Meyer, actually used to say “call yourself a name” on the third time through, which I have personally still taken with me throughout my career however, if calling yourself “Moron” doesn’t seem like the vibe, exclamation points also work.

So, if you too are headed to one of the six nights of the Eras Tour in LA, take a note from us & from Abby and start practicing!