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Re: Aches, pains, and anemia

Author: d-oboe
Date: 2005-12-18 19:48

For days with multiple gigs, an early morning warm-up is probably the best bet. Even if it means getting up a 1/2 hour earlier. And it has to be a good solid warm-up, with long tones and a few scales. Part-playing just before the performance (and *only* that) while it may seem to get things going, gives a false security. As the performance goes on, and especially if there is a long pause, the lack of warm-up is very evident. The reed is dry, the embouchure feels clumsy...etc.

A good 1/2 hour warmup in the morning should be enough for the day. At the performance venues, a short 5 minute session of long tones should refresh everything.

Another point is that dang reed. Very often the reed will change after 20 minutes of playing. And, frankly, I'd rather have the reed change in warmup and not in the middle of a solo! Sometimes it will become too weak when playing in large ensemble, and sometimes, a reed that seemed ok at the beginning will seem too stiff and uncontrollable after 20 minutes of playing.

And that sort of stems into having to play a solo after a long rest. As long as a good warm up was done beforehand, it should last long enough to play that solo. If the solo is realllly far in, do a longer, more thorough warmup!

D

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