Visual Memory – Visual memory is memorizing with your eyes, as in visualizing staff notation in your mind. This is the least favorable/reliable means of memorizing a tune. If you are inclined to pursue this method, STOP! You’re making things much harder on yourself than you need to.

Auditory Memory – This is where you focus on what you hear rather than what you see. This is the easiest and most reliable way to memorize a new tune. Close your eyes and listen. Hum the first measure or two. Then try to duplicate the melody using your practice chanter. Now focus on the sheet music to get all the embellishments perfect.

Muscle Memory – This is where you’ve taught your fingers to articulate the melody and embellishments correctly and you learn to trust them. Muscle memory comes after many repetitions. Use the “Rule of Three.” Don’t move forward until you’ve played the passage three times in a row perfectly. Once established, muscle memory allows you to focus on other priorities, being the management of your instrument to produce the proper pitch, tone, tempo, phrasing, breaks, etc.