a good warmup

[chopincat]

What do most people consider to to be a good warmup? What types of exercises? For how long?

My warmup currently consists of a mix of stretches, scales, arpeggios, chords, and Hanon, but I'm curious to know what other people do.

[j_menz]

It's currently 35C here. To warm up, I just step (briefly) outside.

[chopincat]

 

Lucky! It's below freezing where I am.

[1piano4joe]

Hi chopincat,

My warm up always consists of me deciding what I am going to work on. It may be scales or not. It may be a new piece, putting hands together on another, polishing another, working out fingering or blocking, analysis, bringing something up to speed, etc. This is my warm up.

A new baroque piece, romantic or classical? What am I in the mood for? Is there a piece in a less familiar key or style I should work on? I am striving to be somewhat balanced in my education and try to let my practicing reflect this general strategy.

I guess I don't warm up conventionally. I just get to work. I am not playing the piano. I practice the piano and for me that doesn't need a warm up.

I did at one time do Hanon and/or scales but I feel I can put my time to better use working on pieces.

P.S. Yes, it was cold Saturday with all that snow. We are practically neighbors. I'm from Bellmore in Nassau County, New York. We are supposed to get even more snow on Monday and Tuesday. So, if they close your school then that could mean more time for mid-term study or practicing piano!