What Is The ABCDE Memorization Method?

T.I.P.   - TIPS IN PERFORMING -

ONNOTES 4 MUSIC LLC FREE NEWSLETTER

SUMMER 2026 ISSUE 1

Welcome to the first Summer 2026 Issue 1 of “T.I.P – Tips In Performing” newsletter from OnNotes 4 Music LLC! T.I.P. is a free quarterly newsletter that will discuss helpful music practices and topics of interest for flutists, instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, arrangers, transcribers, music librarians, historians and music industry specialists.

This issue features the article “What is the ABCDE Memorization Method” written by me, Cynthia Cozette Lee, founder and director of OnNotes 4 Music LLC. The article gives helpful suggestions on how to memorize music in 5 steps. I am an award-winning Black American contemporary classical music woman composer. Please feel free to browse and shop for my lyrical music scores in my online store at www.cynthiacozettelee.com While there, please sign up for OnNotes 4 Music email list in order to receive free the latest news events.

OnNotes 4 Music, Offering Distinctive Sounds of Award-Winning Composer

Cynthia Cozette Lee – Founder & Director

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WHAT IS THE ABCDE MEMORIZATION METHOD?

By Cynthia Cozette Lee

August 1, 2026 Philadelphia, PA USA

When Dr. Cynthia Cozette Lee was a child first learning how to play the flute, violin and piano,

in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she would sometimes become nervous before public performances. Dr. Lee began practicing deep breathing exercises and following the memorization method she developed called the ABCDE Memorization Method. These techniques assisted with getting rid of nerves and having a more successful public performance.

The ABCDE Memorization Method is Cynthia Cozette Lee’s personal 5 step approach created and developed by Dr. Cynthia Cozette Lee to help performers memorize music.

The A B C D E letters mean: 

Step 1 – A – AGILITY THROUGH WARM UP EXERCISES.

Practicing the scales and arpeggios daily in all major and minor keys. Learn to instantly recognize the major or minor key or tonality of the warm-up exercises through listening or identifying key signatures visually in the score.

Step 2 – B - BECOMING A MUSIC THEORIST AND ANALYST

Learning to analyze the form or structure of the music song I had to perform by identifying the major or minor key tonality and starting and ending pitches. I reviewed the score looking at the sections or phrases that were repetitive, noticing where similar scales or motifs were used or where passages are different.

I improved in performance technique when I memorized the music whether I was a soloist or playing principal flute in an orchestra or in a small chamber music group or flute trio or quartet. 

Step 3 – C - CHUNKING THE MUSIC

I would practice the song using chunking or learning it in small phrases or sections dividing the music from beginning, middle to end. (Clapping or moving to the rhythmic note patterns using the Eurhythmics concepts of Jacques Dalcroze).

STEP 4 – D – DIVIDING SECTIONS OF DIFFICULT PASSAGES

Try to memorize music in the difficult small sections, playing just a few measures at a time using slow or fast tempos.

STEP 5 – E – ENTIRE SONG PERFORMANCE

Perform entire song again trying not to look at the music score, but using the music if needed. Try to perform in front of parents, family members and/or friends at home. I found this helpful in improving my technique and building self-confidence in flute playing. There is nothing wrong with using the music score in a public performance. As a composer, I prefer the musician or vocalist use my scores rather than rely on memorization. However, professional musicians are usually expected to know the music so well, they do not need to read from the music score. Following these steps of memorization, I found to be very helpful for me.

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Contact: Dr. Cynthia Cozette Lee with questions at Email: OnNotes4@gmail.com

Website: www.cynthiacozettelee.com/

© Copyright, Cynthia Cozette Lee, Philadelphia, PA USA August 1, 2026

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