ABSTRACT
During the first minutes of a rehearsal, musicians condition their physical and mental readiness, while also warming the instrument to optimum performance temperature. But the materials and activities chosen by the band director are directly correlated to the success of the entire rehearsal session. After a concise and categorized overview of warm-ups, this chapter provides numerous models for band directors to replicate or adapt into their warm-up procedures. The chapter provides innovative methods to utilize the Circle of 4ths, scales, chorales, and exercises that may be taught by rote. The band director is encouraged to keep the percussion section engaged in the warm-up; specific reproducible instructions are provided. In a unique feature, this chapter trains the band director to create warm-ups that are intricately linked to the rehearsal content, and which can be directly extracted from the repertoire. These suggestions illustrate the significance of the warm-up to tuning, ensemble tone, and refinement of the group’s internal pulse toward rhythmic precision. The warm-up process offers infinite opportunities for band directors to be creative and innovative, while helping students refine the fundamental skills that lead to instrumentalists’ success in all aspects of musicianship.
