Leveraging Earworms

• Chris Liscio

Earworms can be annoying, especially when you don't like the song that's playing in your head. But what if I told you that a well-crafted earworm could help you learn the melody of a new song, or a tricky solo?

Have you ever encountered a guitar or piano teacher that asked you to play "Happy Birthday" by ear? Most people can do it: you start on a random note, and try to pick out the rest of the tune from memory. It might take some trial and error, but you don't need a recording—the melody is already etched in your brain. Why can't we experience this same level of freedom with the "cool stuff" that we want to learn?

In my latest article, The Earworm Strategy, I explain why earworms are crucial for memorizing music and share a step-by-step strategy for creating your own. You'll discover how to transform any melody into an unforgettable mental soundtrack that makes learning parts by ear as easy as "Happy Birthday".