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Warmups

by
Michael Dean
SFA Assistant Director of Choral Activities

The warmup time is an extremely important time.  During this time you have the opportunity to teach several critical concepts and reinforce many others.

Breathing
This is the time to remind them they are singing and that they need good breathing.  Roughly 78.9% of all vocal problems arise in young singers because they do have enough breath support.  This is the time to teach it and reinforce it.

Vocal Tone
Take this time to let them focus on what they sound like without the distraction of finding notes, counting rhythms and pronouncing words.

Intonation
Make them sing in tune from the very first note.  Check that vowel and make them listen to match everyone else.  Also, listen to those descending lines.  The majority of intonation problems occur during a descending line...Nip it in the BUD! 

Blend
What better time for listening to your neighbor and making an ensemble sound that balances tone, volume and quality.

Aural Skills
Is there a difficult interval they don't hear?  Is there a chord they can't sing in tune?  Get that into your warm up without the trappings of the song or the words.  Spending a little time on it before they try it again in the song may be just what they need.


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The Texas School Music Project is a source for ideas and information concerning pedagogical practices in the music classroom or rehearsal hall. The TSMP is a service provided to all music specialists by the faculty of the Department of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University. 
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