Extreme audio rather than visual memory??

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I know autistic people are supposed to have an extreme visual memory, but I've just realized I'm the opposite. My audio memory must be fairly exceptional. I used to be able to hear an entire 3 hour symphonic musical (Les miserables) in my head, literally hearing every part as played so much so that I could sing the entire musical note for note, rhythm and inflections and everything. These days there's at least 30 to 40 songs at any one time, where I could pick any song by title, then hear that whole song played through in my head (all parts - voice and accompaniment) note perfect. It's like I have an internal mp3 player I can turn on when I feel like it.

Is this unusual, or is this just normal (and everyone else in my family who can't do this have exceptionally poor audio memory)? Is there anyone else on the site like this?

my auditory processing is definitely better than visual, so I guess my auditory memory is also better because of that. but I can't remember all paths in symphonies :p

I can usually recall pretty long conversations though.

I can relate a little. My auditory memory isn't better than my visual memory I think, but I can also replay several musicals and many songs in my head, music and lyrics.

I'm with you on the audio memory. I actually completed my bachelor's degree program without buying any books because I would go to class and just memorize everything the professors said. I'm like a tape recorder!

Can relate to the OP. Have extreme auditory memory and very poor visual memory. My memory (both short-term and long-term) is generally poor except from in the auditory area.

Same here. I can often quote my teachers word by word... but that's only if I've been paying attention during class, which is difficult for me to do. I get distracted by the slightest noise when the teacher is talking, and unfortunately cannot concentrate as much as I should.
My visual memory is very unreliable; I often don't see the big picture right away when reading through something. Therefore, I have to do more hands-on stuff in order to understand concepts and to be able to apply them.

In terms of thinking I'm very visual. I have to form images in my head when I try to describe a concept, tell a story, or explain something. I don't think I have a visual memory though as my mental images are abstract rather than photorealistic.

Music on the other hand I remember in perfect detail. I can very accurately remember and reproduce music in my head. Often when I hear a song I've heard before I find myself anticipating the next note or verse while listening.

So I guess I'm a visual thinker with an audio memory.

Very unusual. I read in a book on memory the story of a conductor discussing the evening's performance. One of the musicians said there was a problem. Something had broken on his instrument and there was one note he couldn't play. The conductor thought for a while and said it was no problem because that note was not in that musician's part. The story was given as a case of exceptional memory even for someone who had decades of experience and was one of the best. If you're even half as good at your age, some researchers would love to work with you. I could probably find someone if you want.

You can easily test how good your memory for tempo is. Play one of the songs you know and sing along, After 10s or so turn the volume right down to 0. Carry on singing for a while, perhaps a minute,. turn up the volume again and see how close you are to the song. Make sure you can't see one of those moment by moment volume displays, not even in your peripheral vision. You could make an audio record of the whole thing.


How extreme? Similar to sunshower?

How good are you two at imitating voices and accents and at learning foreign languages?

Yeah, I can do this. Back when I played in operas, I could hear the entire opera in my head after practicing it enough. Once I've internalized music (live performance, CD, etc.) I have it basically forever. I don't automatically internalize it the first time, though, so it's not really one of those "savant" skills.

Very good at sound imitation overall. I have used this to my advantage to learn various folk music styles with darn good accuracy. As for language, I'm more infatuated with sound itself rather than the meaning of sound. So accents I can get really well, but I don't have a whole lot of desire to learn the language itself.

Oh yeah, auditory memory is definitely stronger for me. At one time I worked a drive-thru register. I could repeat back exactly what people told me on speaker when I hadn't entered on the computer yet. Couldn't have done that if I had looked at it on a list.

Also, I'm a tremendous mimic. I make all types of animal sounds and it freaks my husband out. If I'm around someone with a strong accent for any length of time, I begin to think with that accent (and I can speak it at will).

Yes. When a student at the music conservatory the teachers said that it should not be possible to have that kind of memory.



Am terrible at imitating voices and accents. Have trouble with my articulation and some vocal sounds caused by what I believe to be dyspraxia. Think am ok at learning foreign languages but not excellent. Never tried really. My interest and talent seem to be restricted to music and musical sounds.

My auditory and visual memory are both very strong. It is my physical (kinaesthetic) memory that I have problems with.

More like this. It's not the first time I hear it, but if I've heard a piece of music many times, I pretty much have it forever (although after a few years I need to listen again to refresh).

To answer gromit's question, yes, if I'm listening to a piece of music I know I can turn down the volume and continue singing it, complete with all the pauses etc and singing the instrumental bits, then turn it up again and be at the same point in the song. Although occasionally my rhythm is a little off - not because I don't know it, but I don't have a good sense of rhythm, like I'll continue the same rhythm in my head but accidentally slow the tempo down from say 60 to 58 and then accidentally speed it up to 62 (for example). So I'll be still reproducing the exact rhythm, but the tempo could be unsteady (this is a problem I have when learning pieces too).

I have a playlist of about 400-500 favourites, and I could put it on random play - and once I hear the start of the song (so I know what song it is), I could do the volume thing and keep going on pretty much every song. I reproduce the inconsistencies in the songs too - like if the singer breaks off too early, or does something unusual with their voice.

I can play things back in my head, like I'm there again. I have attention problems, so I forget a lot of things too, but if I was paying attention (although sometimes it's not particularly obvious..) then it's THERE. Almost like flashbacks. With negative things, it is like flashbacks.

I found a summary of one special issue of a scientific journal devoted to autism and talent. Some articles are about savant skills, some take a broader view and just discuss talent in general. The summary is at [/quote]http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145890.php and there's a link to the original.


The tempo is the technically easy test. Testing what you're good at would need someone who knows music. But following even the inconsistencies again points to an unusual memory. Most people would gradually drift towards what they think the music should be like.