My Intentional 3-step Bass Warm-up
Before every gig, every session, every practice, I run the same short bass warm-up. It’s not random. It does three specific jobs.
Nailing all three sets up everything that follows.
First, it marks the beginning of practice. No more checking phones; do not disturb sign out front if possible… this is your intentional time, and you are committed to make the best of it. A ritual, even a very short one, tells your brain: we’re focusing on practice now.
Second, I want to warm up my fingers and body, the right way. A proper bass warm-up. Hands don’t have muscles; they have tendons, so the movements that actually help come from people who understand how tendons work: martial artists. I also like to warm up my entire body and my ears: yogis have informed some things I have found to work great there.
Third, I do a short but powerful breathing drill that neuroscientists have found to calm the nervous system.
The best warm-up drills are designed to relax you as much as warm you up.
This trio is a great bass warm-up for your upcoming practice session, but it also looks into the future.
Do them enough, and they’ll be there for you in a moment of nerves, right before the gig, when you need them most.
So, it’s not just “shake it out,” or “play a few runs,” but an intentional trio of bass warm-up drills that are quick and easy to do.
It’s a great setup, easy to remember and do, and it gets you right into the mood.
Want to see my actual warm-up in action?
You can join Live Practice, Aug 20, for free!
it’s open to everyone. We’ll warm up together, then dig into a bluesy groove tune. Lurk, play along, or grab the 
Hot Seat for feedback.
Get the info here.
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