There are many ways to warm-up as an instrumentalist or vocalist whether it be physical or mental. However, there is only one real reason for warming up – to be in an ideal condition to play and perform at the best of one’s ability.
For almost twenty years I have played the trumpet. Throughout these years I have been introduced, read numerous methods in how to best warm up before playing. Some of these methods are obvious and perhaps conventional – others appear less so. Before I explain some ways I warm up it is worth while unearthing why and what is the purpose of it.
Why warm-up?
Playing the trumpet requires a lot of energy and physical endurance in terms of breath and the muscles required to produce a sound. Often before turning our attention to practicing, rehearsing or performing a concert our physical and mental state can be variable and of course changeable from the last. Warming up also maintains and keeps in check good habits.
6 steps to include in a basic daily warm-up
- Relax and flex lower and upper abdominal muscles
- Deep slow warm breaths over 8, 6, 4, 2 beats – getting air to move
- Buzz with trumpet mouthpiece
- Long tones at a medium dynamic – moving up and down scales starting in the middle register
- Gentle lip slurs in intervals of 3rds and 5th
- Tonguing from quavers to semi-quavers.
