How do you warm up for either a gig or practice? Is it the same for both?
Any exercises / stretching to keep your hands from cramping / freezing shut ?
What are your favorite songs to warm up with?
Thanks!
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »
Warm up protocol
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Joined: May 24, 2023 Posts: 131 |
Posted on Nov 16 2023 03:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4131 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ. 
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Posted on Nov 16 2023 10:43 PM
weird_oh84 wrote:
I don’t do any particular warm-up, but I usually start out slowly, for the first few minutes of play, and avoid anything that will require any big stretches, etc. If I need to get ready for a gig, or just need to focus my mind, I’ll play some scales and/or arpeggios, concentrating on proper technique, and not on speed. Then I might play a couple of challenging passages, such as a solo that moves very fast, just as a way to practice something that is both familiar and challenging. Yesterday, I had a challenging day at work, and when I finished, I depressurized by plugging in my Jaguar and playing for about 30 minutes. I ran the gamut, Surf, Classic Rock, Country, some Chef Atkins fingerstyle, some Blues, and ended up at Jazz. Works better than a beer, and better for my health, than a beer. —The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
Joined: Jan 09, 2014 Posts: 604 Vancouver BC 
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Posted on Nov 17 2023 02:07 AM
As mundane as this sounds, I do a bit of housework or yardwork before working on marathon practice sessions getting ready for a gig. I also try to avoid playing for an hour or so after waking up. The point being that I just want everything warmed up naturally before any serious guitar work. Regular breaks, reasonable hydration, and putting down the guitar whenever I feel anything straining. As a young guy playing lots of guitar and sports, I was prone to getting tendonitis in my wrists so I found what works for me. Also, avoiding any substance that accelerates dehydration, too! Guitar strap length and other posture/ergonomics is not a very cool topic, but I figure that not everyone is designed to be Jimmy Page with a guitar slung down to his knees. —Lorne Last edited: Nov 17, 2023 02:12:36 |
Joined: Sep 02, 2022 Posts: 385 Central VA
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Posted on Nov 17 2023 08:43 AM
I do a few iterations of a chromatic fingering exercise I learned decades ago, up and down the neck. It involves using the fingers in different order and eventually string-skipping. I probably do it for five minutes or so. Doesn't just warm up my hands, it warms up my brain and helps me get in the playing mindset. —-- |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2270 Stockholm, Sweden 
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Posted on Nov 17 2023 01:42 PM
Never done any warm-up for any practice session but always drank plenty of alcohol before a show in order to relax as well as maximize the fun. — |
Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2150 Kiev, Ukraine 
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Posted on Nov 17 2023 02:32 PM
Usually a couple of whiskey shots and I am warmed up —Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine New Single is out! https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single Waikiki Makaki https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com |
Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1013 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Nov 18 2023 12:44 PM
To warm up I start gigs with Walk Don't Run. I've played it so many tens of thousands of times I could play it in my sleep, and in different keys. With the many notes I add to it I'm not just warmed up, I'm smokin'.... I also warm up by dragging equipment to the gig and setting up... —Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Last edited: Nov 18, 2023 12:54:51 |
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Joined: Aug 22, 2010 Posts: 1013 Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Nov 18 2023 12:52 PM
Alcohol is not a sedative, it is simultaneously a stimulant (like caffeine) and a relaxant. Unlike sedatives (e.g., Valium diazepam, Xanax alprazolam) it does not lower blood pressure, pulse rate or adrenaline, it raises them. It also increases body levels of noradrenaline (attention and focus), as amphetamine does. Unfortunately alcohol causes every kind of cancer, but I drink wine or beer occasionally anyway. —Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com Last edited: Nov 18, 2023 12:53:44 |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3746 North Atlantic
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Posted on Nov 19 2023 11:22 AM
I try to get in about 30 minutes of warm up time before a show. Backstage I will play my guitar unplugged working on getting my hands to the spot where them don’t have to struggle with anything that might come along. Scales, arpeggios, tremolo picking, chords, tricky song passages usually make an appearance. I always start off slowly and make sure my playing is clean and accurate. Warming up effectively allows us to concentrate on the music/groove/improv side of performing when playing. Rev —Canadian Surf |
Joined: Nov 08, 2017 Posts: 361 San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Nov 19 2023 02:45 PM
Speaking of alcohol. In the afternoon, I can tremolo pick at 170 BPM pretty well. In the evening after two glasses of wine, I tremolo pick poorly at 165 BPM. —If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play. |
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2150 Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Nov 19 2023 11:49 PM
ldk wrote:
Strong tremolo demands strong drinks! Wine is for relaxed chords) —Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine New Single is out! https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single Waikiki Makaki https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com |
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4131 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Nov 20 2023 07:45 AM
Samurai wrote:
It always sounds better if you drink vintage wine, before a gig. The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2150 Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Nov 20 2023 08:22 AM
synchro wrote:
and everybody knows that the best vintage wine is cognac or brandy) —Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine New Single is out! https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single Waikiki Makaki https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com |
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4131 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Nov 20 2023 09:04 AM
Samurai wrote:
It's 8:00 AM where I live; are you giving me permission to have a drink this early? Actually, I rarely drink, but a Grand Marnier sounds good. —The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2150 Kiev, Ukraine
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Posted on Nov 20 2023 09:23 AM
synchro wrote:
In Deutschland we say “Kein Bier vor 4”. So if it’s already 8 you surely may have a glass! —Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine New Single is out! https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single Waikiki Makaki https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com |
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Joined: Nov 08, 2017 Posts: 361 San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Nov 20 2023 05:22 PM
Samurai wrote:
I'll test this with wine vs. martinis! —If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play. |
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