Part Six: The All-Important Warm Down

Part Six: "The Warm-Down"

One very important aspect of performance that many players overlook is a Warm Down. Most trombonists have an adequate warm up, but fail to warm down after a strenuous performance or practice session. Just like an athlete, who knows to stretch AFTER their work-out as well as before, we need to allow the blood to flow back into our very sensitive muscles and tissues after we play.

Otherwise, the muscles can tense and you'll feel tight the next time you play. If you are to achieve the maximum benefit from this Daily Routine, you've got to warm down after each session. It takes only a moment and it pays great dividends.

Think of this as a gentle massage.

This seemingly benign exercise will do you more good than you might imagine!

It was taught to me by the master trombonist and superb teacher, Robert Hamrick.

The key is to play these quite slowly and as SOFTLY as you possibly can. Use breath attacks (no tongue at all) to start each note and play these as glissandi between partials.

With that, you have successfully completed the Daily Routine. Congratulations!

Remember to keep the routine flexible. Add to it and "tweak " it as you see fit.

Cover at least the 6 major areas, though, and spend more time in your weakest areas.

Do the regimen every day and very soon you'll feel confident and strong as you perform and/or prepare for auditions.

Remember, too, that music is at it's heart a form of self-expression. As you're doing the Routine, play expressively and with beautiful phrases! DON"T BE A ROBOT.

All of your life experiences need to come through the bell.

You truly need to be a story-teller in sound.

The more honesty, sincerity, truth, joy, love, pain, introspection, elation......FEELING

you can get out the bell, the better!

The better for you, the better for your listeners, the better for the

MUSIC.

EVERY SINGLE TIME the horn comes out of the case, play with the most beautiful sound possible.

When working jobs or "gigging" or performing with the orchestra, play like you LOVE what you're doing

.....and make this fact obvious to everyone in the hall.

The number of times you will be blessed to play the trombone in your lifetime is FINITE.

Make the most of every opportunity! Life is short, love the ride.

And remember this.........

Back to the Routine Index

As always, please don't hesitate to write with questions!

And for even MORE information and a wealth of helpful downloads,

visit us at

trombonelessons.com