you know..i have no idea how memorizing it backwards can help. i think i get it, but im not sure. but i think i might try it though. im on tenors and having trouble memorizing the music. so im gonna try this.

all i do is play it over and over and over again and find patterns. i memorized my bands 3rd song in a day somehow. another thing i do is to memorize it to the sets on the field so its easier to play but since its parade music this wouldn't apply.

learn it on one drum first
and them put it around them

tenor parts are definitely harder to memorize than snare. if you keep on playing, it will eventually become muscle memory.

If you play the music enough times you will have it memorized without realizing it. Start playin the music with the sheet music and then stop looking at the music for the 1st measure or so. keep expanding the amount your not looking at. taking in chunks helps too.