I prefer to warm up before learning tunes. Anyone have suggestions? I hope to improve my intonation and support, for example. I haven’t played consistently for a couple of years, just picking it back up. Thank you!
scales, arpeggios
My preferred warmup is two-octave D and G scales, up and down a couple of times. The third octave really gets the embouchure focused quickly.
A favorite exercise is short tones – pick up the flute, bring it to your mouth and blow a not for a split second. This gives you the ability to give notes a really good attack.
For support, try long tones. You’ll see people recommending these all over the place on this forum. This is largely for embouchure development – changing the shape of your lips, etc. But also try to keep the note up for as long as possible – without going flat. Record yourself and listen back, or have a tuner going to see how your pitch does.
Everything said so far is fine. However, always have a clear goal to be accomplished by whatever exercise you are doing. Long tones, as has been said develop the embouchure and focus as well as breath support. Scales and arpeggios allow you to work on your intonation and can also be used for agility and speed drills.
But, in any case, have a clear goal. AND, record yourself as you warm up. Listen critically to what you are doing, and strive to correct what you don’t like.
Articulation drills are good. Breath pulses, coupled with clean ‘grace-notes’ help give a nice clean attack.
And a thousand other things. . . .
Bob
order your pint before starting?
Some suggestions I got when I asked a somewhat related question…
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/bad-embouchure-day/92267/1
Best wishes.
Steve
Phil Hardy has a series of lessons on youtube. Although they’re intended for the low whistle, the exercises he has are good for any simple-system instrument.
Very good arpeggios for warmups (as well as practice) can be found beginning with lesson 4 ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCmFtOf0t8g
… and going on through lessons 5, 6, and 7.
Here are some suggestions I’ve posted before: https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/flute-practise-regime/91669/2