Mnemonics

edd · 12th April 2009, 04:50 PM

I'm working on improving my mnemonic techniques for conjuring purposes. Would anyone object to me seeking advice here on this admittedly not common knowledge, but equally not secret field?
I will of course not discuss applications.

Jeff Corey · 12th April 2009, 06:12 PM

Try the method of loci. http://library.thinkquest.org/C01102...onics/loci.php

firecoins · 12th April 2009, 06:58 PM

Do you mean stuff like what Aronson or Tamariz puts out on cards or a whole system for anything?

edd · 13th April 2009, 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by Jeff Corey

Try the method of loci. http://library.thinkquest.org/C01102...onics/loci.php

That's my difficulty - I'm maybe overextending it. What I could do with is advice on practicing it... On a flat iPhone now though so will post more later. ;-)

edd · 14th April 2009, 05:23 AM

OK, so I'm having trouble getting sizeable amounts remembered in a single pass. So when I'm practicing:
a) Should I do single passes and test, or allow myself more passes through and then try to minimise them as I go?
b) Should I aim for speed or accuracy first and then improve on the other after? Or just aim for both at the same time?
c) How do you cope with 'emptying' yourself of the last set so you can practice on a fresh set?

Brown · 14th April 2009, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by edd

OK, so I'm having trouble getting sizeable amounts remembered in a single pass. So when I'm practicing:
a) Should I do single passes and test, or allow myself more passes through and then try to minimise them as I go?
b) Should I aim for speed or accuracy first and then improve on the other after? Or just aim for both at the same time?
c) How do you cope with 'emptying' yourself of the last set so you can practice on a fresh set?

I have used Harry Lorayne's memory techniques (available in many of Harry's books--check your local library). They can be easily adapted to conjuring.

In regards to "emptying" yourself, you can use a different base object.

This of course makes no sense at all, so I will explain. I can do a memory stunt in which I memorize a set of playing cards, say, about 45 cards or so. After seeing this set of cars just one time, I can name what cards are missing. I use Harry's techniques (slightly modified) to do this. In Harry's system, each card is related to an object. I memorize the cards/objects with respect to a base object, such as my house.

If I need to do the trick again, I memorize the cards with respect to a different base object, such as my car.

And if I had to do it again (I've never done it more than two times in a row, but I could), I could memorize the cards with respect to a third base object, such as my office or my computer or my own body or the environment in which I happened to be a the time.

According to Harry, this is how Vaudeville memory performers did their acts. Many of them used the theater in which they were performing as their base object.

As I said, each card is related to an object. The three of clubs, for example, is represented by a comb. When I memorize the three of clubs with respect to my house, I might imagine a giant comb jutting out from a bedroom window. When I memorize the three of clubs with respect to my car, I might make a mental picture of a comb combing my tires and making them go flat. Both mental pictures relate to the three of clubs, but I am unlikely to confuse the two pictures in my mind.

If you want to remember things other than playing cards (strings of numbers, lists of names, etc.), Harry describes techniques for doing that, too.

Ashles · 14th April 2009, 10:18 AM

I read Derren Brown's book Tricks of the Mind and he describes techniques to remember strings of words and numbers.

It certainly worked for me when I tried it (helped me memorise all the coursework for a test I had on a Management training course during the train journey there).
But you need to keep practising to make it work, and it involves effort and concentration.

I have forgotten the number technique due to lack of practise.

edd · 18th April 2009, 09:32 AM

Brilliant - that change of base tip is exactly the sort of thing I was after

Cheers Brown.

magicflute · 6th May 2009, 09:12 PM

I have trouble remembering my own name. I use a stacked deck and do false shuffles and cuts. I usually switch the deck in and out. Usually I do a non-card trick, so I can pocket the deck, then I switch it in when I continue with cards. Nobody is ever the wiser, since I finish with a real shuffle and continue using the same deck. I swear this is a great method or my name is not ....... ah... err.... never mind!

mhaze · 10th May 2009, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by edd

I'm working on improving my mnemonic techniques for conjuring purposes. Would anyone object to me seeking advice here on this admittedly not common knowledge, but equally not secret field?
I will of course not discuss applications.

Look up "peg system" in google, particularly Dominic O'Brien's use of it. Several published books by him and audiobooks. Also several Youtube videos where he discusses the methods.

edd · 11th May 2009, 09:51 AM

Just to be clear, I have working mnemonics systems (and I also resort to subterfuge to help, like magicflute). It's just how best to practice them that's the tricky bit - Brown's answer got that sorted though - and is helping a great deal

12th April 2009, 04:50 PM	#1
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533	Mnemonics I'm working on improving my mnemonic techniques for conjuring purposes. Would anyone object to me seeking advice here on this admittedly not common knowledge, but equally not secret field? I will of course not discuss applications.
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533

12th April 2009, 06:58 PM	#3
firecoins Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nyack, NY Posts: 3,065	Do you mean stuff like what Aronson or Tamariz puts out on cards or a whole system for anything?
	__________________ NY Paramedic, skeptic, 9/11/01 Reality-ist. I am both right wing nut and left wing lunatic. Deal with it.

13th April 2009, 01:49 AM	#4
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533	Originally Posted by Jeff Corey Try the method of loci. http://library.thinkquest.org/C01102...onics/loci.php That's my difficulty - I'm maybe overextending it. What I could do with is advice on practicing it... On a flat iPhone now though so will post more later. ;-)
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533

14th April 2009, 05:23 AM	#5
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533	OK, so I'm having trouble getting sizeable amounts remembered in a single pass. So when I'm practicing: a) Should I do single passes and test, or allow myself more passes through and then try to minimise them as I go? b) Should I aim for speed or accuracy first and then improve on the other after? Or just aim for both at the same time? c) How do you cope with 'emptying' yourself of the last set so you can practice on a fresh set?
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533

14th April 2009, 09:20 AM	#6
Brown Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 9,117	Originally Posted by edd OK, so I'm having trouble getting sizeable amounts remembered in a single pass. So when I'm practicing: a) Should I do single passes and test, or allow myself more passes through and then try to minimise them as I go? b) Should I aim for speed or accuracy first and then improve on the other after? Or just aim for both at the same time? c) How do you cope with 'emptying' yourself of the last set so you can practice on a fresh set? I have used Harry Lorayne's memory techniques (available in many of Harry's books--check your local library). They can be easily adapted to conjuring. In regards to "emptying" yourself, you can use a different base object. This of course makes no sense at all, so I will explain. I can do a memory stunt in which I memorize a set of playing cards, say, about 45 cards or so. After seeing this set of cars just one time, I can name what cards are missing. I use Harry's techniques (slightly modified) to do this. In Harry's system, each card is related to an object. I memorize the cards/objects with respect to a base object, such as my house. If I need to do the trick again, I memorize the cards with respect to a different base object, such as my car. And if I had to do it again (I've never done it more than two times in a row, but I could), I could memorize the cards with respect to a third base object, such as my office or my computer or my own body or the environment in which I happened to be a the time. According to Harry, this is how Vaudeville memory performers did their acts. Many of them used the theater in which they were performing as their base object. As I said, each card is related to an object. The three of clubs, for example, is represented by a comb. When I memorize the three of clubs with respect to my house, I might imagine a giant comb jutting out from a bedroom window. When I memorize the three of clubs with respect to my car, I might make a mental picture of a comb combing my tires and making them go flat. Both mental pictures relate to the three of clubs, but I am unlikely to confuse the two pictures in my mind. If you want to remember things other than playing cards (strings of numbers, lists of names, etc.), Harry describes techniques for doing that, too.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

12th April 2009, 06:12 PM	#2
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 9,731	Try the method of loci. http://library.thinkquest.org/C01102...onics/loci.php

14th April 2009, 10:18 AM	#7
Ashles Pith Artist Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The '80s Posts: 7,838	I read Derren Brown's book Tricks of the Mind and he describes techniques to remember strings of words and numbers. It certainly worked for me when I tried it (helped me memorise all the coursework for a test I had on a Management training course during the train journey there). But you need to keep practising to make it work, and it involves effort and concentration. I have forgotten the number technique due to lack of practise.
	__________________ With extraordinary few exceptions no educated person in the history of Western Civilization from the third century B.C. onward believed that the earth was flat. - Jeffrey Burton Russell No one "proved" that a bumblebee can't fly. What was shown was that a certain simple mathematical model wasn't adequate or appropriate - Ivars Peterson

18th April 2009, 09:32 AM	#8
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533	Brilliant - that change of base tip is exactly the sort of thing I was after Cheers Brown.
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533

6th May 2009, 09:12 PM	#9
magicflute Thinker Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 218	I have trouble remembering my own name. I use a stacked deck and do false shuffles and cuts. I usually switch the deck in and out. Usually I do a non-card trick, so I can pocket the deck, then I switch it in when I continue with cards. Nobody is ever the wiser, since I finish with a real shuffle and continue using the same deck. I swear this is a great method or my name is not ....... ah... err.... never mind!
magicflute Thinker Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 218	__________________ Old Chinese Saying: Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear.

10th May 2009, 09:00 AM	#10
mhaze Philosopher Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woo*(+-1.10)^20=AGWwoo Posts: 8,238	Originally Posted by edd I'm working on improving my mnemonic techniques for conjuring purposes. Would anyone object to me seeking advice here on this admittedly not common knowledge, but equally not secret field? I will of course not discuss applications. Look up "peg system" in google, particularly Dominic O'Brien's use of it. Several published books by him and audiobooks. Also several Youtube videos where he discusses the methods.
	__________________ Get your climate widget Climategate - History's Biggest Scam Poptech's List Climate Acronyms

11th May 2009, 09:51 AM	#11
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533	Just to be clear, I have working mnemonics systems (and I also resort to subterfuge to help, like magicflute). It's just how best to practice them that's the tricky bit - Brown's answer got that sorted though - and is helping a great deal
edd Muse Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 533