Comments

Warming up

Warming up

Lately I have started my practise sessions on my banjo by setting aside the first 5 mins to doing a warm up, I find it very helpful to get me into things, playing better etc.
For my left hand I play the The Irish Washerwoman, I find it a great tune for excercising the fingers on the left hand, with quick passages, after playing it a few times my fingers are not just warm, they are hot, and tired! - and for the right hand, to try to develop my triples, I play Miss Monaghans.
any other ideas for good warm up tunes for the banjo?
cheers!

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by BanjoBongo

Re: Warming up

This Is a good idea your at here, maybe you first tune should be a slow Air etc,, Giving you time, and all those fast triplet / tremolos etc - Then your Jig and Reel Idea - And you should be ready to play Anything : )
Good luck with this !
jim,,,

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by FIDDLE4

Re: Warming up

This year I've learnt one tune on the piano (Take 5, not easy) my one and only tune on a piano, I find if I play that tune a few times before picking up the accordion the hands are much more flexible than what I require on the accordion

I also find as I get older that it takes longer to get the machine going 30 years ago I could pick up the accordion and start playing a tune straight off, now I need at least 10 mins to get the mind and body up to speed.

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by Theirlandais

Re: Warming up

My teacher and i have a routine. We play a couple of fast jigs to get warmed up and then go straight into playing whatever we're working on. My dad however insists that I start by playing scales that he calls out. My opinion? Start with a fast jig, irish washerwoman is a really good one, then paly one or two scales. Not only does this warm you up, you remember the different keys easier as well.

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by mandolinist

Re: Warming up

And what's your instrument, mandolinist?

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by ethical blend

Re: Warming up

I find that warming up definitely helps. In fact, tryign to play at any speed when not warmed up can be quite uncomfortable, not to say unsuccessful. I always start with a couple of slow pieces to loosen up.

And more - when I forced msyelf to start swimming regularly a few years ago, I found that pulling through the water increased my hand/finger strength noticeably for playing music too.

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by ian stock

Re: Warming up

Whatever I feel like. I get tuition on the fiddle, but I play a lot of mandolin and bouzouki, and if I ask my friend really nicely, banjo. :P

# Posted on February 11th 2011 by mandolinist

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