The best warm-ups do not happen by accident. They are part of a plan. Like anything that works, they require intention and consistency. The good news is that the answers are in the rep.
Pre-game: Match exercises to keys found in your repertoire.
Start with fundamentals: Build from long tones, scales and patterns, lip flexibility, and ensemble sound and balance.
Have a why: Why are you doing this exercise? How does it connect to the music or address a specific weakness in the ensemble’s execution?
Create active listeners and participants: Do not just run the routine. Ask students how well they executed the plan. How did it sound? How can it improve?
Go beyond the page: Any warm-up is better than none, but the best warm-ups extend past the notes. Use fundamental concepts in new ways to encourage thinking and musicianship.
Do something, do it daily, and do it with purpose. Happy warming up!
