Been thinking about how to do better orchestra warm-ups, more consistently. When a warm-up is good, it’s real good. It establishes a good mental state: focus and engagement for rehearsal. But when it’s bad, it’s real bad. Boring. Repetitive. Reinforcing of bad habits. Actually, when I think about my own practicing, often it’s the technical challenge of a warm-up that draws me in. Although, possible post hoc ergo propter hoc, the warm-up is always first. Either way, it’s gotta be interesting and worth doing!
Orchestra Director and clinician Michael Alexander has some ideas here.