Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Antonio J. García
“So what’s your warm-up?” completed their warm-ups. Neither issue will end up on “Oprah”; but
I’m asked that a lot. And I usually reply by saying, “I don’t have one. But when musicians spot these concerns in themselves, we should not take
I do have some music I like to practice when I first play on a given day.” them lightly.
In my humble opinion, there are two dangers inherent in any
warm-up routine. Some musicians may become so conditioned by Practicality
that routine that they are then psychologically rattled by any setting I remember that when I was in college, warm-ups took forever. It
that does not allow for their usual warm-up before the performance. seemed critically important that a musician had laid aside sufficient time
This is counterproductive to fine music-making. A second concern is to run through a laundry list of musical exercises before actually playing
the potential separation of warm-up versus music. “Now I’m warming serious music or delivering a performance.
up. Sounds may come out that I’ll accept for now but wouldn’t in a But during those same years, I sensed an impracticality. Most of my
performance. Later I’ll be making music.” gigs were jazz or commercial engagements, and many of them offered
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: if your warm-up has not led to little or no warm-up time or space. Sure, I could buzz the mouthpiece
downsides, then don’t worry: be happy! But I have met many musicians in the car on the way to the job; but even this felt insufficient. Was there
who have expressed their own concerns about being “addicted” to time to warm up before getting in the car? Not always possible.
their routines and/or being unable to “make music” until they have
(Front row) Puerto Rican Conservatory student drummer Vladimir Sotomayor, trombone
professors Luis Fred and Hommy Ramos, (red shirt) guest artist Antonio García, and
(second row middle, dark shirt) trombone students Joshua Ortiz, (front row) Fernando
Lopez, Rody Huertas, and Luis Silva after García’s masterclass there this past March.