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Re: Ensemble Warmups

Author: William
Date: 2004-12-03 15:50

Most importantly, make certain the instruments are totally warmed up before the tuning process is begun. To do this, I suggest an "easy" scale--diatonic, thirds-- followed by a short selection like a Sousa march, just to get plenty of collective warm air blown through the instruments. Once done, then begin your tuning routine.

I suggest having the "traditional" concert Bb given by one instrument (usually the oboe or the first clarinet using a tuning meter) and have the entire ensemble sing or hum that pitch. Then going one section at a time in score order from high to low--ex: flutes; clarinets; alto sax/clarinet; tenor/bari sax (you may wish to tune the saxes "one by one"); bass clarinet and bassoons; all "woodwinds"; then the brass: trumpet/cornet; horn; trombone/baritone; tuba; all "brass". Then. listen to "the note" and sing/hum one more time. Then, have the entire ensemble tune from the "bottom up" adding each instrument grouping while the others sustain--low brass, bassoons, bass clarinet and bari sax; horns, trumpets, alto/tenor sax; and finally, clarinets, flute and oboes. All the while, emphasizing the importance of the listening process. This whole routine can be accomplished in a few minutes (5 to 10) but it is time well spent!!

Having tuned to one note, another "fun" thing to do is play a scale, up and down, having various instrumental groupings start at different times--at the thirds--in whole or half notes. Have each section sustain the last note until all reach the end of the scale. Stress constant listening for ensemble balance and individual tone quality in adition to playing every note in tune.

Beyond this tuning proceedure--many variations work as well--a good friend of mine puts it this way: "It is more important to play in tune that to be in tune". Simply put, just because to can successfully match one pitch doesn't mean that any other note on your instrument will also match. In any ensemble, every musician must constantly listen and adjust to maintain good intonation. Or, as another good friend of mine often says: "Good intonation is good cooperation". And the key to all of this is "good" listening for personal intonation, tone quality and the general balance of the total ensemble. It is the conductors main task to get everyone in the ensemble to practice good listening habits constantly (not just when "tuning"). Good luck and good listening to you and your musicians.

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