‘Declarative memory consists of facts and events that can be consciously recalled or "declared." Also known as explicit memory, it is based on the concept that this type of memory consists of information that can be explicitly stored and retrieved.ĭeclarative memory differs from procedural memory, which encompasses skills such as the use of objects or movements of the body that are deeply embedded and are performed without being aware.’Īn over-reliance on existing muscle memory is commonplace among guitarists and this is often seen as a catalyst by the player to seek out new material using different fretboard patterns and shapes. These differentiations are highlighted by Kim Ann Zimmerman : ![]() However, explicit memory (also known as declarative) is based on the conscious recollection of facts and/or events. Muscle memory is also referred to as procedural memory, motor memory, implicit or even non-declarative memory. The Cambridge Dictionary defines muscle memory as: ‘the ability to move a part of your body without thinking about it, learned by repeating the movement many times’. Given the dependance guitarists have towards muscle memory and concerns students have invariably expressed towards me concerning the musical ‘limitations’ of prescribed, uninspiring finger patterns and shapes, I felt it was a significant to address this through examining how implicit and explicit memory is employed from a guitarist’s perspective. ![]() Although derived from standard tuning, I also explored composing with these same motions in a range of alternate tunings which formed the basis of my composition portfolio. As part of my PhD thesis, I developed a directory of guitar fretboard patterns which documented some of my own existing muscle memory movements. ![]() The following article examines my research into the discourse surrounding the use of implicit memory (or ‘muscle memory’) and explicit memory within guitar performance practice. Procedural and Declarative Memory Practice – A Guitarist’s Perspective
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