Woodwind Warm up

[CDS814]

In our school marching band, one of the greatest points of pride is when the brass section goes out on the field and plays their amazing chorale warm up. Woodwinds of course must warm up in a different way and many feel left out because the woodwind section doesnt have a set warm up. I was wondering if anyone knew of a woodwind warm up that could serve this purpose. Thanks

[Bob]

Elect a woodwind leader to conduct.

Have all the woodwinds tune to a concert A.

In half notes, start on concert F and go down by half-steps.  F, E, F, Eb, F, D, etc...

Play the concert Bb major scale in a round.

Have everyone memorize one of the Bach 4 part chorales.  A one-note line, four phrases... not much compared to piano music.

[pianonut]

bob,

i know you are probabaly serious, but this thread gave me such a laugh this morning.  knowing nothing about warming up woodwinds, i could hear them in my head doing the first exercise and (in my mind's eye) i hear about 1/3 getting all the notes correct, and the remaining 2/3 way off (especially when warming up).  this makes for a great cacophanous wake up for the brass - which makes them march faster off in left field (trying to hear themselves).  the twenty three trombonists come out and scare them back into place.  unable to hear from either side - they give up and leave the tuning to the tuba.  (imo - if the tuba player stays in tune - you've probably got a decent band).

[abell88]

and (in my mind's eye) i hear about 1/3 getting all the notes correct

I wish I could hear things with my eyes!

[Bob]

Gotta keep it simple.  Nobody should be missing notes on that warmup.

You could also have them hum the starting and ending notes. 

Or try concert Eb too.

You can always pep them up by playing the song fight song at the end.