TSSN - Posted - 10/24/2020:  14:19:17

Sure, it's been asked before.     ¯\_(*/*)_/¯

Lately for my warm up, aside from scales and variations thereon, it has been the exercises (mostly creating my own) from the arpeggio section in Laird's Mandolin Master Class. 

I'm also wondering how many unique responses we can get in a week's time...

Edited by - TSSN on 10/24/2020 14:20:10

Texasbanjo - Posted - 10/25/2020:  04:56:23

I usually warm up with some song I'm trying to learn. That way I can play slowly, let my fingers get the feel of the strings again, and still work on something new. If I'm learning a new lick, I may work on that, slowly increasing my speed until I make a mistake, then backing back down.

I don't work on scales much because they are boring, but I do run through a few just to make sure I remember them but I don't do it every day.

Robert - Posted - 10/26/2020:  05:27:17

How long have you been playing? Just started, been playing for years? How about some scales and arpeggios? They will get your hands limbered up, muscles set. Then take on perhaps a tune you know well. Then tackle the new piece(s) that are your next immediate goal. Knowing scales and arpeggios will do more than you may realize to get you going on that journey we call mandolin.

Yooper - Posted - 10/26/2020:  06:57:59

The Mike Marshall videos are full of exercises designed for increasing agility and muscle memory.

TSSN - Posted - 10/26/2020:  07:24:52

Hello @Robert . I've been playing mandolin since 2003. During COVID, and having no group to jam with, I have been revisiting lots of my old materials and trying some classical pieces too. That said, I have never tried the Mike Marshall videos mentioned by @Yooper .

My OP was just to get an idea of how other MHO members warm up...or don't warm up (I've heard that too).

Anyway, we're up to 4. Thanks!

Edited by - TSSN on 10/26/2020 07:25:54

Yooper - Posted - 10/26/2020:  15:12:52

I think that good players, as well as physical therapists, would encourage a thorough warm up. Not doing so is among my repertoire of bad habits. Usually I just bend my fingers and wrists around to loosen up, then play.
As I remember, Mike Marshall talks about this a fair amount. His exercises are a challenge. Here is the link. If you get on Homespun's mailing list, most videos go on 50-60% off sales frequently.

homespun.com/shop/product/mike...-dvd-set/

Texasbanjo - Posted - 10/27/2020:  04:57:15

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert

How long have you been playing? Just started, been playing for years? How about some scales and arpeggios? They will get your hands limbered up, muscles set. Then take on perhaps a tune you know well. Then tackle the new piece(s) that are your next immediate goal. Knowing scales and arpeggios will do more than you may realize to get you going on that journey we call mandolin.

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Actually, I play banjo much better than mandolin.  

I have been picking away at the mandolin for about 6 years now and I can play a few fiddle tunes at a moderate to fairly fast pace and can usually pick out a vocal after listening to the melody.   I do have a problem with a few key signatures since I don't use them often, but other than that, I can usually keep up with what's going on.   (And yes, I'd rather be playing banjo and singing).  

And I'm not sure you were asking me, but you got an answer any way (G)

Edited by - Texasbanjo on 10/27/2020 04:58:05

Robert - Posted - 10/27/2020:  06:10:27

Well, still scales and arpeggios are the things you want to warm up with to answer your question. I've been playing since the early 1970's, I took it up after guitar, banjo and fiddle. In my retirement I find it a joy to play.

TSSN - Posted - 10/28/2020:  04:15:16

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert

Well, still scales and arpeggios are the things you want to warm up with to answer your question. I've been playing since the early 1970's, I took it up after guitar, banjo and fiddle. In my retirement I find it a joy to play.

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There has to be more than just scales, right?  Sierra Hull goes beyond scales to warm up.  I am NO Sierra Hull, but that short video is thought provoking. 

Robert - Posted - 10/28/2020:  05:16:32

Those are scales and arpeggios.

TSSN - Posted - 10/28/2020:  10:37:38

That seems to me like saying that Sevcik etudes are just scales and arpeggios, but I won't argue the point.