A letter in the "Ottawa Citizen" March 19, 2002, from Ottawa native Angela
Hewitt

   Memory tips.
   Re:  Making the most of your memory, March 15.

   I am glad to read that a team of psychologists has proven that
   rosemary is beneficial to the memory.  Shakespeare knew this ("rosemary
   for remembrance"), and I rarely perform an all-Bach piano recital (a
   huge task for the brain) without inhaling some beforehand.  During
   a marathon performance of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier I will put a
   Kleenex, scented with a few drops, inside the piano.

   As for visualization, this is one of the most important components
   of the process of memorization.  Was it not the great pianist Franz
   Liszt who told his pupils to "think 10 times and play once?" I do,
   however, draw the line at chewing gum.  A good steak seems a better
   thing to chew on before a performance.

   Angela Hewitt, London

Joanne and Phil Stevens
Ottawa, Canada
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