How do you warm up your fingers?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

The first thing I do is a full set of scales, and Czerny exercises, but I'm still cold!

Even after I'm done practicing, I'm still cold!

So what's the best way to warm up your fingers if you can't take a shower right away, or warm your hands up in a bowl of water?

[j_menz]

The first thing I do is a full set of scales, and Czerny exercises, but I'm still cold!

Even after I'm done practicing, I'm still cold!

So what's the best way to warm up your fingers if you can't take a shower right away, or warm your hands up in a bowl of water?

Scales and Czerny leave you cold? How surprising.    Try playing something with a little more emotional warmth.

Failing that, move to the tropics (or wear some gloves for a bit beforehand).

[quantum]

Cold hands may be a symptom of stress.  Try googling the subject. 

For warming up I like to do some improvising.  It warms up both the mind and body. 

[keyboardclass]

Don't smoke, drink only one cup of coffee a day and play under a desk lamp (or two) - works for me.

[p2u_]

How do you warm up your fingers?

I don't; I just don't suffer from cold or stiff fingers, even during frost and without gloves. I do have very good blood circulation in my hands because I do systematic high-finger-lifting and -dropping every day, but that's more of a Zen activity and has nothing to do with warming up as such.
P.S.: By the way, there is one unexpected method to warm cold hands and feet in 2-3 minutes by controlling your breath. That's nice if scales and Czerny "leave you cold".
For more info, see here: https://www.normalbreathing.com/Articles-warm-hands-feet.php

Paul

[krajcher]

If scales and Czerny don't help, I don't know what can help you, but if you have problems with warming up your wrist, I have an idea.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Cold hands may be a symptom of stress.  Try googling the subject. 
 

Seriously?  Could you give me an article?

[larapool]

I always do a finger exercise my professor gave me where I use fingers 2, 3, and 4 (in that order) simultaneously, C through G (or any other 'simple' key) and back down, warming them up, trying to create the brightest, most balanced sound possible...  that's always been the first thing I've done.

Lately, my routine has changed a bit -- I do that exercise, then after that, in a certain key, I do a chord exercise with both hands up and down the keyboard.  Then I arpeggiate those chords... then I do 16th note 4-octave runs in the major and all three minor scales in that same key, and do 16th note 4-octave arpeggiated runs in the major and minor form of that key.  The key changes day to day, going through the circle of fifths, so each key gets its own day and ample practice time.

Then I sight read a Czerny piece or two, and my fingers are ready to go.

It may need some additional polishing in the winter when my house gets frigid, but until then, that's how it is.

[p2u_]

Cold hands may be a symptom of stress.  Try googling the subject.  

Seriously?  Could you give me an article?

Just one example:
https://www.thewellspring.com/wellspring/sensing/1909/stress-and-cold-hands.cfm
Actually, in your case it might be a problem with your wrists when you play. If they lock up (even in your sleep), then your fingers become cold. It would be best to consult your teacher about that.

Paul

[j_menz]

Actually, in your case it might be a problem with your wrists when you play. If they lock up (even in your sleep), then your fingers become cold. It would be best to consult your teacher about that.

Or it might just be the weather. Seriously, not everything has to be about technique!

[ajspiano]

Or it might just be the weather. Seriously, not everything has to be about technique!

In my case its always the weather - but unless its actually in the negatives its really not significant enough to stop me playing acceptably from the first note. And seriously, I don't think I've ever done a gig where I've had the option to warm up for 20 minutes with scales directly before going on.

From that perspective, OP may consider finding some performance repertoire that would be a valid warm up..

[p2u_]

Or it might just be the weather.

All we can do from here is just guess, of course, but when a person's fingers/hands stay cold even after a warmup session with scales and Czerny (in a house with reasonable temperature, no broken windows where frost comes through, etc.), there must be something else:
1) the person should see a doctor
2) the person should have a look at his/her technique
P.S.: It may even be computer/telephone usage that causes this, but it should be looked into seriously.

Paul

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Or it might just be the weather. Seriously, not everything has to be about technique!

It's pretty warm here in Chicago lol.

[j_menz]

It's pretty warm here in Chicago lol.

Then perhaps you should take comfort in a saying of my grandmother: "Cold hands, warm heart".