Ok so I'm not alone then! I remember reading Flea has a very long warm-up, including running around with his bass on
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How long does it take you to warm up to your most capable?
- Thread starter WrapRough
- Start date
Ok so I'm not alone then! I remember reading Flea has a very long warm-up, including running around with his bass on
Ah yeah, that's right... I had his bass instruction video back in the day and he demoed this climbing chromatic warm up he used before shows. That's funny about running around with his bass on. Makes sense though!
I don't really need to warm up. A minute or so of noodling typically has me ready to go - for whatever that's worth.
I'm working with 3 projects (1 new, 2 currently gigging) and I do need to play at least some nearly every day to keep up, so not a lot of time for rust to build up.
I'm working with 3 projects (1 new, 2 currently gigging) and I do need to play at least some nearly every day to keep up, so not a lot of time for rust to build up.
I play with others. Warming up on my own is pretty pointless. I don't need to get my hands limbered up. I need to get my mind in the headspace of listening to the musicians I'm playing with and conversing with them. That takes a few tunes to gel sometimes. Sometimes it is good to go from the downbeat. Warming up on my own though? Usually a waste of time.
Singers on the other hand? I've never met a singer that doesn't perform better if they do a few warm up exercises for their voice.
Singers on the other hand? I've never met a singer that doesn't perform better if they do a few warm up exercises for their voice.
The same for me except we play 3 long sets and I start to crap out half way through the 3rd one (especially if I forget to take my anti-inflammatory drugs). I'll be 71 in a month.
Right, I think a lot of the discrepancies here derive from differences in playing conditions. Myung and Petrucci are virtuosos but need a warmup to properly execute their music due to the sheer complexity and stamina it requires. They have stuff that is constantly challenging even to their insane chops. However, someone playing much less complicated parts that are well within their capabilities might need a lot less warmup to keep sharp.
I personally do not tend to warm up much, but if my main (originals) band puts together a set that is heavier on some of our toughest tunes I definitely will at least do some targeted warmups and practice on the trickiest parts to make sure I am ready to execute them.
I usually run my hands up and down the strings for 30 seconds or so to warm them up. Then I tune up the bass. Let's go !
For me that depends heavily on how much time and how regular I've been practicing prior to testing. On the average about 5-10 minutes. If I've been playing hard, like an hour a day for a couple of weeks, I can just pick it up and go.
What I find when I don't practice, I get sloppy, not so much with playing parts, most would not notice but the precise timing detail of each note is a little off.
Moral of the story. Practice enough so you don'thave to worry about warming up.
I find that stretching before I start playing really helps. I will stretch all the digits on my left (fretting) hand, and my thumb, index finger, and middle finger of my right hand, all for fifteen-twenty seconds each. Then, I will stretch the tendons on my forearms by folding my wrists and turning my left hand clockwise until I feel the stretch in my forearm, hold it for fifteen seconds or so, then slowly relax, then do the same for my right forearm except then the turn with the hand is counter clockwise. You will really feel a difference in how loose your fingers feel when you start playing. Because of this, it doesn't take me nearly as long to feel 'warmed up' as it does if I don't stretch. Maybe two or three songs. One song if I'm playing a Yes tune.
Exactly the same for me. About the second or third tune of the set.
Way back when I first started gigging and do short term sub gigs 3-5 times a week, About a set and half.
Later in life 3-4 songs.
Later in life 3-4 songs.
