By Aditya Shukla, Psychologist, Musician, Entrepreneur
Chunking means grouping information together in a way that makes sense. Guitar structures can be chunked by beats, chords, or phrases. Separate out small units and memorize those units.
Interleaving means learning multiple similar things together in a mixed fashion instead of just 1 thing. The comparing and contrasting also helps . If you are learning 3 musical structures, A, B, C for example, practice them as ABC BCA CAB... instead of AAA BBB CCC.
Elaboration rehearsal is a way to push information from short-term memory to long-term memory. Deep analysis of chords, finger movements, rhythm, etc., lets the brain encode extra details that push information into long-term memory.
Some guitar phrases can be awkward to play or tricky to start off. Rehearse those starts so that the rest of the music falls into place immediately after. Practicing the start is the key (it's the anchor). The anchor acts as a "cue" to recall everything else.
Schemas are large neural networks that specialize in memorizing many similar patterns. This network develops only after practicing many similar patterns. Build schemas by increasing the variety in what you practice. This is your strongest asset to remember.
The guitar is a spatially arranged instrument. That means the brain is using its spatial memory system for locations to create and remember patterns. So how a shape looks on the fretboard and how the notes are physically arranged matters in improving memory.
The brain loves what is repeated. Repetition makes things easy to recall and play because repetition speeds up neural signaling. Practice things many times till they feel like a habit. Most musical structures have commonalities. Repeat those commonalities so you build your schemas through practice.