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amtrpt · 02-18-2008, 04:40 PM

Hi Baroque,
Great question! I'm really glad that you asked it because it was one of the threads that I wanted to start.

One of the things that I should say right off the top is that I have always believed the best teachers are the ones who give people lots of information and then help them figure out what will work best for them. I don't believe in a my way or the highway approach. I always say this at the start of first lessons because I want people to feel free to learn in their own way and at there own pace. Now that that's out of the way this is what you HAVE to do to have any chance at sounding good! (just kidding)

Warm up routines are very individual. I always try to think of warming up as two main things. First and most important for me is to get my air moving. I'm always trying to get the air moving in a positive direction while staying as relaxed as possible. The second thing I focus on is getting the blood circulating in the lips. Just like any athlete it's important to stretch and create friction within the muscles. I'll give you some specific examples of how I like to do that.

I usually think of warming up as setting up my lips for the rest of the day. With that in mind I don't usually do anything that is too stressful. Here is a loose idea of what I do in the moring before a regular day of work with the TSO.

Breathing and stretching. I actually stretch my chest muscles and neck some before I start. Breathing is just in for eight and out for eight. Mostly I get it from the Stamp book. I do this for about ten minutes.

Mouth piece buzzing. I find this to be a great way to start because there is less resistance than with the trumpet. I try to buzz specific notes and avoid the temptation to do wide slurring. Sometimes it can be a simple song like My Funny Valentine or Simple Gifts. I do this also for about ten minutes.

Flexibilities. I really like to Colin lip flexibilities book. I like to do these also for about ten minutes. I try to make sure that I am really releasing the air and not stressing my lips too much.

The last thing I usually do is some pedal tone work. Again for about ten minutes. You can use any book that you like. I can find some specific books if anyone is interested or better yet anyone with ideas please post them.

Sorry this is so long. I'm sure that I will get better at making these shorter. In the meantime please stay with me.

I will follow this up later with a different look at warm up routines in the near future. In the meantime I hope that this is helpful.

Best,
Andrew

ps. I play a Bach 1 1/4 C Mouthpiece. I have had the same one for about fifteen years. I'll list my other eqiupment in a separate thread.

02-18-2008, 04:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
amtrpt Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: toronto Posts: 162	Re: Daily Routine? Hi Baroque, Great question! I'm really glad that you asked it because it was one of the threads that I wanted to start. One of the things that I should say right off the top is that I have always believed the best teachers are the ones who give people lots of information and then help them figure out what will work best for them. I don't believe in a my way or the highway approach. I always say this at the start of first lessons because I want people to feel free to learn in their own way and at there own pace. Now that that's out of the way this is what you HAVE to do to have any chance at sounding good! (just kidding) Warm up routines are very individual. I always try to think of warming up as two main things. First and most important for me is to get my air moving. I'm always trying to get the air moving in a positive direction while staying as relaxed as possible. The second thing I focus on is getting the blood circulating in the lips. Just like any athlete it's important to stretch and create friction within the muscles. I'll give you some specific examples of how I like to do that. I usually think of warming up as setting up my lips for the rest of the day. With that in mind I don't usually do anything that is too stressful. Here is a loose idea of what I do in the moring before a regular day of work with the TSO. Breathing and stretching. I actually stretch my chest muscles and neck some before I start. Breathing is just in for eight and out for eight. Mostly I get it from the Stamp book. I do this for about ten minutes. Mouth piece buzzing. I find this to be a great way to start because there is less resistance than with the trumpet. I try to buzz specific notes and avoid the temptation to do wide slurring. Sometimes it can be a simple song like My Funny Valentine or Simple Gifts. I do this also for about ten minutes. Flexibilities. I really like to Colin lip flexibilities book. I like to do these also for about ten minutes. I try to make sure that I am really releasing the air and not stressing my lips too much. The last thing I usually do is some pedal tone work. Again for about ten minutes. You can use any book that you like. I can find some specific books if anyone is interested or better yet anyone with ideas please post them. Sorry this is so long. I'm sure that I will get better at making these shorter. In the meantime please stay with me. I will follow this up later with a different look at warm up routines in the near future. In the meantime I hope that this is helpful. Best, Andrew ps. I play a Bach 1 1/4 C Mouthpiece. I have had the same one for about fifteen years. I'll list my other eqiupment in a separate thread.