Hornmasters: Yancich on the Second and Third Warm-Up

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One type of warm-up that is rarely discussed in print is the second and third warm-up of the day. One of the few to address this topic is Milan Yancich in A Practical Guide to French Horn Playing.

A second or third warmup?

The volume starts with warm-ups. The first several exercises are quite similar to those presented by Gunther Schuller and others are quite similar to those of Farkas, with an emphasis on dynamics and control of breathing. More notably at the end of this publication Yancich introduces the concept of a type of warm-up routine geared specifically to begin the second or third playing session of the day.

When practicing the horn for the second or third time in a day, it is advisable to have another short warm-up. In the event that the lip is unresponsive or stiff, a few minutes of limbering is helpful for another good practice session. There certainly is no harm done by this practice, and during this short period one can review scales, arpeggios, and general facility. The exercise takes on an improvisatory quality in regard to rhythm, phrasing, and key signature.

Professional hornists and concerts

And for pre-concert warm-ups he specifically notes that

Most professional musicians have their own preferred method of preparing themselves for actual concert performances. This comes about after many years of playing and experience. Some warm up in an elaborate manner and others are satisfied with a casual touching of a few notes. I myself favor chromatic scales before going out on the stage. I would suggest that one should try to note and remember the procedure followed before what he considered a successful concert—a concert where lip, control, and endurance all seemed in optimum condition. Take that routine and stick with it for your pre-concert warm-up pattern.

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