Music workshop warm up techniques please

Subject: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: GUEST,In at the deep end
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 06:12 AM

I have been asked to do some music workshops on instruments mainly stringed, basic percussion instruments and basic singing techniques.

I am ok with most of the above but I am stuck on warm-up techniques, have any Catters experience with any they have used or participated in that they would recommend, or maybe a book that would be worth buying.

Thanks in advance

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: Dead Horse
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 07:05 AM

If its a bhodran workshop, the best warm up technique is to place in a pile (preferably outdoors) and set alight using petrol and a match thrown from a couple of feet away. The exact distance depending upon how much combustable fluid used.
Triangles are immune to this warm up method, as though they do undoubtably get warm, they still remain playable.
Stringing instruments is OK too, but nailing direct to wall provides a more lasting effect.
Same is true of singers.
Hope this has been of some help ;-)

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 07:35 AM

Banjos burn well too, but not as long as a double bass!!!


Sorry, Da Debil Made Me Do It!

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 07:44 AM

How long are the workshops? The ones I've led are often so short, you don't want to spend too much time on warmups. On the other hand, you don't want to blast everyone's voices in one hour!
So I have a few "quickie" warmups for you:
The first one I call "airplane (aeroplane) propellor" (extremely silly but fun AND effective): Stand with one finger pointed ahead. That's the nose of the airplane. With the other finger, pretend to be starting the propellors, with a swift repeated motion downwards along the side of the extended finger (This is the "Brrr"). As you are doing this motion, blow through your lips to make them vibrate, with a gentle vocal sound on the exhale. I do it thus:
Brrrr, Brrr, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr - the third time I move my active finger up high and down low and vocalize along with the finger, higher and lower. Repeat 3 times, the third time extending the last vocalization for as long as breath will safely last!

The second is the "silent scream": Place hands on knees. As you stretch your torso up and your head up and back, open your mouth all the way and inhale, as if you were getting ready to scream. Tense all your muscles! Once your torso and head are stretched up and back as far as they can go without removing hands from knees, release your muscles slowly, rolling down on your spine, and exhale, letting your head drop between your knees, and relaxing your hands down to the floor. Slowly roll up on the spine, breathing naturally.

Neither of these involve any singing, but it's amazing how they jumpstart the voice. I would then begin with a gentle song, perhaps a round, to finish the warmup.

Good luck!

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 08:49 AM

Funny that I should have paused from preparing for a guitar accompaniment workshop to read this thread. For a workshop, I feel that what is demonstrated, and how it is demonstrated is far more important than whether the leader or participants are warmed up. Workshops are not about proficiency, unless they are just showcases for fancy licks (as far too many are.)

For me, I try to place myself in the workshop setting as I am preparing, tyring to find the simplest way to demonstrate whatever picking styles or rhythms I want to present. That means breaking down a song into its simplest forms so that I can show the participants how to do them. I hope that everyone (myself included) can take home some new ideas to explore.

The first and most important preparation for a workshop is to imagine yourself as someone who is attending it. If you can look back at where you were when you were where they are now, then you can begin to understand what will be helpful to them. The best teachers are not the ones who know the subject best. They are those who can take their students from where they are, and help them to take the next step forward.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 23 Oct 05 - 11:21 AM

Singing vowel sounds (ah, ee, eye, oh, o, oo) is good for a singers' warm-up. Try to produce an 'open-throated' sound such that the sounds are coming from the diaphragm. Try to produce sounds that are as loud as possible without strain. Try to hold the sounds for as long as possible without having to take in another breath. Try singing these sounds loud and soft; try running up and down scales.
Try not too giggle too much because it sounds like a colony of jack-ass penguins being tickled whilst maidens fall off ledges in the background!

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 03:39 AM

Their are some good warmups in this book produced from a music project funded by the Arts Council with Youth Music in the UKSINGBOOK

Good luck

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 09:34 AM

When we are having an hour-long choir rehearsal, we warm up with the familiar 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 pattern (often using the syllable "Ha") going up and then down the scale.

For the quick rehearsal prior to the service, our leader starts with songs that are comfortably low and waits towards the end to sing the high notes.

For hands, I find that making wrist circles is helpful. It is probably more important that people have proper posture and that they not play too long at one time.

Subject: RE: Music workshop warm up techniques please
From: AggieD
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 09:52 AM

We always start warming up for choir by having a couple of good hands above the head stretches. A couple of scales are useful done softly as leenia syggests to 'Ha', or one of my favourites 'flippy floppy bunny'! This warms up the face mucsles as well. Warm fingers up with yoga finger stretches - spread fingers as far open as is comfortable, then try to stretch the fingers making them as long as possible, then gently shake out