Denson Paul Pollard Trombone Warm Up Video

The warm up is a time when brass players should focus on the fundamentals of playing. In this video, I discuss my ideas about warm up and include playing examples of the different areas of warm up.

[@finnmckinlay]

1:13 breathing exercise 2:26 mouthpiece buzzes 4:27 long tones 15:17 3 note jslurs 18:10 slow arpeggios 22:45 sweeping arpeggios 25:14 fast slurs for flexibility 27:08 tonging scales (staccato, legato, double, triple) 30:34 dynamics + crescendo tips: Metronome (60bpm) and tuner Use lots of air for low and high registers Face muscles only have to pull down, not up or back Stop and play notes with only your mouth piece if you have trouble, even in extreme ranges

[@Novacreeper231]

nice ty

[@martin1024]

23:28 this look on his face is so gold

[@lukecrawford6251]

I like it how he refers to high Bb as “the one above bolero”

[@cimarlizarazu]

What does that means?? even not knowing still funny

[@sccrguy610]

@@cimarlizarazu Bolero is a piece of music, so I bet he’s using the sheet music from the piece as a reference point to which octave he’s trying play the warmup in.

[@Novacreeper231]

LMAO

[@ianbeaman7977]

don't mind me, just doing this for myself and others who want this 1:13 breathing exercise 2:26 mouthpiece buzzes 4:27 long tones 15:17 3 note slurs 18:10 slow arpeggios 22:45 sweeping arpeggios 25:14 fast slurs for flexibility 27:08 tonging scales (staccato, legato, double, triple) 30:34 dynamics + crecendo

[@tommyspittle]

One does not simply buzz a pedal Bb on the mouthpiece.

[@lukelehmuller1203]

Glad I’m not the only one

[@tromboneman4517]

It takes lots of practice, but once you can do it, it’s unbelievably beneficial to your playing. My lower range is a lot better now.

[@johnsimpsen5]

It’s much easier when you cover up part of the shank so only a small bit of air gets through and you can make a bit of resistance in the mouthpiece

[@tracymiller1149]

Wow, this is the best warmup video I've ever seen. Great tone!

[@georgepether4077]

Thank you so much for this priceless lesson. I have never studied my instrument and already I am improveing (maybe not in my spelling) So many things I was not aware of in technique. Thanks again

[@trombonedude2114]

Thank you, Mr. Pollard, for these excellent videos!

[@chandlerellis5457]

I never believed in taking long to warm up, but my approach has completely changed and now this is my daily warm up. Great video!

[@zeevgilman9460]

One of the best lessons on the tube. Thank you so much for taking time to do this

[@nekowen]

Mr. Paul Pollard, thanks for posting such a great video for warm ups

[@KJ-ss7hz]

Fantastically helpful video. It's great to see someone talking honestly, straightforwardly and down to earth about this topic, with rationale behind everything. Instead of just saying do this, do that and then you'll be a great trombonist... Awesome playing too.

[@andrewfielden284]

Jesus Christ this guy is superhuman. The range, the power of those pedals. Inspirational! I'm off to practice. Now!

[@lampiaosalgado]

I've been practicing this warming since the Projetobone Brazil 2015. Really excellent warm up!

[@bazejbernardreiss5913]

Thanks for this helpfull tips and trick on warm-up it is bringing a lot of fruits to scale and sound quality. Verry appriciated !

[@LuisFredTrombon]

Excellent video Paul, thank you for uploading.

[@FloodPRA1]

Thanks for sharing your warm up techniques. I am just starting and have already learned a lot from this!

[@lwendt1]

This is really outstanding as well as such wonderful playing. Great lesson! Thanks!

[@youngesteban]

Been wanting to see you do this ever since I saw the PDF you uploaded to your website. Many thanks!

[@saritrombonepr]

Thanks for sharing with me this video and the material. Very useful. Specially the chart.

[@1966gto1000]

As a tenor trombonist in a community band, I had no idea such thought and exericises went into great t-bone performance. I've played h.s., college and now comm. band, and never been schooled in this. Thanks for the upload.

[@hgervini]

Gracias tengo 68 años y sigo aprendiendo de maestros como usted

[@nickcavallo1369]

I understand why Dr. Pollard is such a trilling beast! 😂

[@paulanthonyrivera]

This is great, thank you for posting it!

[@elliotgreen9712]

What a hoss. Thank you for posting this! Your sound is SO smooth. I hope to have a lesson with you someday sir.

[@X4nd3r22]

Thank you! Much appreciated Mr. Pollard!

[@Flugle]

Very helpful! Thanks for posting!

[@heliohenrykebone1]

Very good instructions on warm up, congratulations man!

[@paulanthonyrivera]

Great video, thank you!

[@jztrombone]

So awesome! Thank you so much!

[@rosecutajar2948]

you are a good trombone player and you have a lovely sound. my husband paul plays the bass trombone we are from LOVELY COUNTRY CALLED MALTA

[@bordaz1]

wtf?

[@Quickness_Fitness]

@@bordaz1 what's the problem? Innocent comment bruh

[@VerdadesVitalesOk]

Great video!!!!!!! very helpful, thank you very much, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to Isla Verde Festival, but I hope to see you some day! Greetings from Argentina

[@chinitox]

wooow this a great video for warm up on the trombonee thank you

[@davidhurd3099]

Sending this to all my students...thank so much

[@DeLucciCrew]

my band director taught him in high school!

[@trumpsahead]

I'm student trumpet player, but loved your warm up. Thanks for the tips.

[@TheGHWoR]

Otimo Video....Amei Msm....Tenho Professor Mas Essas Dicas Ele Ja Havia Me Falado A Muito Tempo Mais Nunca ouvi ele .....e Agora Sei o Significado .......Obrigado Denson

[@FelixDelTredici13]

Thanks for this! Great

[@masayukifujita7000]

Such a fantastic range!

[@masayukifujita7000]

***** because I play the trombone and want to get better at it.

[@ovenlane]

embouchure trombone

[@jagnit9390]

TheDigitalDev why do you know he's on every trombone video??

[@pharezabellard6107]

Super;Great and Helpful

[@gkrimperis]

Nice video ! Just did the warm-up with you, on tenor :-), a nice way to open my lungs ! One thing I don't believe the "mouthpiece", I'm more into air & ear and the rest will de in place ! All the big names should do a video like this !!!!! Thanks

[@geraldnichols2722]

Even after 60 years playing the trombone, I am just learning that everything is in the mp. !!!

[@Bonifacio34r]

Bravo!!!

[@AidanRitchie]

There are many people that can't buzz below a low Bb. I can barely get an F below that.

[@TheMler]

What? He reaches a high f with a bass trombone. He's is a pro!

[@TonyMcCarley]

I know this is late, but he plays a Laskey 93D/95D on bass and 85MD on tenor!

[@thediamondsword1285]

good warm up

[@antoniolocosimo6075]

grande prof

[@jordipeiro5265]

Moltes gràcies😘

[@99miguelangel99]

26:30 is cool!

[@T3atter]

Thnx

[@bassbonemexie]

beast

[@melquisedeclino4309]

Hello! your videos are great and very interesting, and I was wondering if you could let me write the subtitles in spanish, that's my original language and it would help other spanish speakers the same way it helped me.

[@JefferyMillerMusic]

That's what I thought as soon as I heard that, haha.

[@TheNoobyGuy1]

I bet 10 elephants could live in his lungs.

[@bffancodplayer1210]

I like to play pedals for warm downs after I play

[@geraldnichols2722]

Can you believe the lips this cat has? BTW: Should trombonists do like the Brits and "keep a stiff upper lip?" ;) He has the most active lips when he talks that I have ever seen.

[@Reeahful]

i can't buzz on that low register....(anyone can help me?)

[@dhuuhd3]

Same here bro

[@wisegamer706]

The flexibility Jesus

[@scarroll451]

i can only buzz very low notes on the mouthpiece by blocking about 3/4 of the mouthpiece shank with my pinky. is there some embouchre trick/detail that would allow these notes without the backpressure?

[@Vpmatt]

"For your embouchure make sure when you're doing these slurs and you're doing your long tones make sure that your corners are firm, your chin is flat and the muscles for the most part need to be pulling downwards, nothing back and nothing up, no smile embouchures as you're doing this." As someone new to the trombone, that for me makes the whole embouchure thing one little bit less of a mystery.

[@geraldnichols2722]

I don't understand: chin flat. How do you do that?

[@dnarbredlih]

Basically just don't bunch up your chin. It should remain almost the exact same as when you aren't playing.

[@rickychan12422]

want to follow but so difficult......how to play a double low Bb :(

[@neiladvant9361]

after a lot of work on your low register. you don't just play a double Bb right off the bat. You gotta work up (or down I guess) to it.

[@fruyklinredog3941]

Great video, very helpful however I find myself being mesmerized by the back ground.

[@scarroll451]

Does anyone know what models of metronome and tuners he uses? my tuner wanders all over the damn place, and i don't think it's me :) his metronome is TINY

[@basstbones]

i have an equipment question, sir. how many mouthpieces did you go through until you found yourself with the current one you play on? also, what mouthpiece are you playing on currently?

[@basstbones]

i've seen BERPs before, it's different i believe

[@MsFarenait]

big prof

[@sccrguy610]

This was a great example of what strong fundamentals and exercises look like, but I’m just imagining trying to get kids in band class to do something like this. “Okay everyone, we’ve got 35 minutes of warmups to get through, so with the 5 minutes at the start of class being used for going through attendance and everyone getting their instruments out, and the last 5 minutes of class being spent putting everything away and cleaning up the room, that will conclude our 45 minute class period”.

[@DensonPaulPollard]

Hi Hans, this warm up is not intended for a band class...it is what an aspiring professional player might do every day.

[@sccrguy610]

@@DensonPaulPollard I understand that, I am a music educator and have taught beginning bands through high schools groups. It was just the idea that a “warmup routine” could take up the same amount of time as a class period of band (and be more difficult than most students that age are capable of playing) was an amazing thought. Most beginners want to skip any warmups and go straight to the loud and fast piece they think is the coolest, just getting them to do long tones seems excessive to most kids.

[@DensonPaulPollard]

@@sccrguy610 This warm up isn't for "most kids." It is for kids that want to be a professional musician. If they think it is excessive, they shouldn't pursue trombone as a career...I think you are looking for a warm up designed for a more casual warm up and not for students that are obsessed with becoming a professional trombone player.

[@rockahbilly76]

Not comfortable? STOP AND BUZZZZZZZZZ. (Words to live by.) Finding the correct tone with just the mouthpiece was a brilliant bit of info. Thanks.

[@16mmDJ]

26:30... Damn :D

[@jardelricardo6789]

muito bom

[@scarroll451]

What a gorgeous horn. Would you mind saying the make and model, and if it's custom? Thanks 😀

[@martin1024]

kühnl&hoyer custom bone

[@jamesbargar4469]

@@martin1024 It's a Courtois New Yorker.

[@spe0384]

6:50

[@tuckerwheatley648]

Can anyone tell me what he has on his brace/grip and where I can get one? Please and thank you!

[@chazsmith6846]

Tucker Wheatley its a holder thingy for the mouthpiece so that you can buzz into it without having to hold it. Makes it seem more like you're still playing the trombone when you're just buzzing. Dont know where to buy one lol

[@jeremy5767]

have you ever wondered whether you can improve? because dayum on my point of view, being at your level is all i need

[@jazzbone94]

You may need to experiment with how you are using the air down there. Imagine blowing the air directly into the back of the mouthpiece in the low register. Also make sure you aren't too loose. Try blowing from the octave above down to the note maintaining the same quality of sound.

[@ZachMacLurg]

I have a question: When I'm playing trombone, I always catch my self pressing too hard on the mouthpiece. I find this affects my tone quality and range after about an hour of practicing because the inside of my upper lip hurts and gets all fleshy-like (I don't have braces). Do you have any suggestions for breaking this habit of pressing too hard?

[@Aduysvmncmkouyf]

@@nickadkins5679 that doesn’t help

[@jazzbone94]

Lol did anyone else try to copy his buzzing on his mouthpiece at the very beginning and realize that the note he buzzes is an A? I was so confused when I tried to put the note into the horn and a fuzzy Bb came out XD

[@AnBCinemas]

Hey Denson! Question for you. Ive been looking for some grips for my trombone, like yours, and I cant seem to find any.... Where did you get yours? Thanks, Addison!

[@mauricekoks640]

Thank you for sharing this, If i may ask what instrument you are using ?

[@Juan-ul9st]

Hello and thanks for sharing. I'm worried I can't move on from warming up yo actually playing, I mean when I try yo aply "fundamentals" to the repertorio, it all becomes useless and my sound doesn't improve.

[@DensonPaulPollard]

Hi Juan, what my video demonstrates is many of the possibilities for exercises for a warm up. You certainly don't have to do all, but if you do, make it a dedicated practice session for only this and have another practice session later in the day.

[@Juan-ul9st]

@@DensonPaulPollard great! Thank You very much again Denson! I will try that suggestion, it's a good one and ir helps me.

[@dylanle8239]

Not comfortable? Stop and buzz!

[@geraldnichols2722]

Anyone ever wonder , as I do, how many trombonists quit playing after hearing some of these top players?

[@Arwokid]

24:25 that's "WARM UP?" ?!?! freaking Bb

[@lelandp1627]

21:40

[@shaimond7488]

11:07 I Cant do with the mouthpiece pedal f but with the trombone I Can why?

[@weirdo70615702]

Shaimond I have this same problem and I’m not sure why, but I’m guessing it really just means you’re not comfortable with that range yet

[@seanbessette6517]

With the trombone there is added resistance which helps pedal notes speak easier.

[@jaman198]

What do you mean by Bellaro?

[@joffrezarzosagonzales5383]

jaman198 Ravel's bolero trombone solo

[@TheLegat65]

очень хорошо -если бы с переводом на русский!

[@TheDylanTomlinson]

That Bb was an A. ;) Close

[@svenlarsson]

What Bb? I Believe you are wrong dude.

[@TheBoogie1127]

@@svenlarsson it was very very flat. Almost a sharp A.

[@88mayday]

Try different mouthpiece or try to imitate horse (buzz on max relaxed mouth)

[@LickableChicken911]

its not in the video but also smoke 3-5 cigarettes before doing the breathing stuff.

[@martin1024]

but with the same breathing technique!

[@gavinm3087]

That’s what I do minus the being able to breath part but same thing

[@jacobruiz97]

When your tone is so refined it doesn’t even sound real.

[@BrassRecordings]

Such a good tutorial as well as a great, rich sound. We also have Trombone tutorials at Brass Recordings if you're looking for other Trombone tutorials.

[@ThaJSter14]

Oh do i get a virus to?

[@jessetellez84]

The thing that irks me is that when an instructor tries to make every possible thing about playing an instrument really difficult, but when in reality, it's not!

[@enriquethetrombonist1901]

He was buzzing A natural not Bb lol

[@musicnerd225488]

What's even funnier: (plays the slurs...)So... flexibilities....

[@edilacosta6418]

Ya boy spends 33 mins on warm up

[@Quickness_Fitness]

Well there was a lot of talking

[@tinotaylor]

haha he was flat when starting the quite f