What is a Memory Prompt?

At our pub sing, singing from memory is the norm, which means we don’t sing from paper or books or cell phones or other devices. It’s not easy, but when you’ve learned a song by heart, you’ve truly earned the ability to lead it “from the depths of your being” (as the song goes).

When you sing a song by heart, you are able to share the story fully; it flows freely; you can connect through eye contact with the folks you are singing to; you’re singing for and with the group. It is a remarkable experience for all.

But what if, no matter how many weeks/months/years you put into learning and practicing a song, you still mix up verses or worry that you’ll forget how it starts? What if, no matter how perfectly you can remember a song at home, a pub full of people throws you off and you freeze or falter? What if the fear of messing up keeps you from trying at all?

Consider a memory prompt. A memory prompt is a small, discreet piece of paper (the size of a post-it note or a small index card, hidden in the palm of your hand) on which you’ve written the first word of each verse and maybe a couple of other key words that you seem to trip on no matter how much you practice.

The key word here is “discreet”. A memory prompt is not a sheet of paper with all the words to a song on it. It’s not a lyrics sheet. It’s not something to read from. It’s not your phone (even if your phone fits in your hand). It’s not there to fill in the words you haven’t memorized yet. It’s just a little bitty thing to jog your memory back into action if you get stuck.

Those of us who sing our songs from memory often work for months or years to memorize them, and those who have a comfortable repertoire of songs still spend time between pub sings reviewing and re-remembering the words. A memory prompt is not a substitute for doing that work. If you can’t sing it from memory alone at home, keep working on it. If it isn’t ready this month, put off leading it until another month.

But if you have done the work and still feel you need a memory prompt, feel free to give it a try. If you are using a memory prompt, nobody but the person sitting across from or next to you should be able to tell. You just keep it tucked inside your hand and steal a quick glance at it if needed. No-one need be the wiser!

I hope this will be helpful to those who have felt disheartened, excluded, or discouraged by our only-from-memory rule. Best of luck to all who are on this journey of learning and leading songs.