Warm up Exercises

Breathing

The air intake should be passive and relaxed even at higher speeds.

Buzzing

Use a comfortable dynamic, avoiding force. Connect each note through an even glissando.

Glissandi

Like the buzzing exercise, connect all notes through an even, slow glissando. Keep a relaxed approach to the exercise. Thanks to Ben van Dijk for granting me permission to reproduce this exercise from his book Ben’s Basics.

Tone production

Connect all notes using a constant air stream and a musical line towards the last note. Remain relaxed through the whole exercise, especially when reaching the higher and lower registers.

Flexibility

Reduce mouthpiece movement to a necessary minimum. Like the previous exercise, maintain relaxation through the whole exercise, especially when reaching the higher register.

Scales

Use a defined, consistent articulation through the whole exercise. Do not tense when playing the higher register. Think of using a constant air stream while tonguing fast (but not hard). The slide movement should be precise, fast, lacking any tension.

High register

Keep the same relaxed feeling throughout the exercise. The dynamic should be kept at mezzopiano at all times regardless of register.

Arpeggios

Keep the same tone quality through the whole register. Use a comfortable, singing dynamic. Connect all notes through a liquid legato, using a bump-free constant air stream.