Ellen Atwood

Warm-up Summary

Warmups are crucial to any musical ensemble, especially choral ensembles.

Because the vocal chords are such small muscles, they need to be properly and

healthfully taken care of before singing loud or high as to not damage or strain the

chords. The necessary first step for warmups is warming up the body and the breathing

system. It is difficult to sing healthfully with tension in the body and without proper

posture. Once the body feels warm and the physical posture is aligned, singing will

happen more naturally. James Jordan of Westminster Choir College discusses

deconstructing unhealthy singing behaviors and reconstructing healthy singing behaviors.

We must deconstruct the physical body of tension, the breathing system of speaking and

stress, and the speaking patters of humans. In place, we must reconstruct posture, the

breathing system, and the flow phonation of singing. Through this process of

deconstruction and reconstruction the body is better equipped to sing.

Once the physical body is warm, phonation of the vocal chords may begin. It is

healthiest to begin warming up the voice in the mid-range in descending patterns and then

moving the voice through the higher and lower registers. The vocal patterns used to

warmup the voice should be familiar but ever improving. At the same time that the voice

is warming up, it is important to start exercising aural skills through audiation and part

independence. While practicing audiation, it is important to use the piano very

minimally. Through the entire vocal warmup process, using kinesthetic exercises while

singing can be beneficial to continue physical warmups while practicing musical

phrasing.