Warm-Up and Maintenance Routine

for BB-Flat Tuba, Level 2

Micah Everett, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Low Brass
University of Louisiana at Monroe Division of Music
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.2

Introduction
The concept of a daily routine to be completed at the beginning of each practice day is not a new one. Emory
Remington (1891-1971), longtime Professor of Trombone at the Eastman School of Music, was among several
pioneers of this concept in brass pedagogy, and his exercises are widely used and admired. In fact, many of the
exercises in this booklet are based upon those developed by Remington. In my own practice, I have found the
use of a daily routine to be a necessary and effective tool in the maintenance and development of fundamental
playing elements such as breathing, articulation, and range. Because of the efficiency of such routines in
developing basic playing skills, my students and I have found that the adoption of a daily routine actually
results in LESS practice time being necessary for mastery of many etudes or performance works.

The routine delineated in this booklet was created in June 2006 to provide a warm-up that falls between the
beginner Level 1 routine and the advanced and lengthy Level 2 (now Level 3) routine. It can be completed in
approximately 20-25 minutes, and is recommended for high school (and perhaps advanced middle school), early
undergraduate, and most amateur tubists. Like the other routines, this one begins with breathing and mouthpiece
buzzing exercises before proceeding to various playing exercises. Every element of playing covered is a vital
part of the daily warm-up and maintenance routine and should be included each player’s daily practice. The
breathing exercises are based upon those developed by the great tubists Sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan. These
and additional breathing exercises can be found in their book/video The Breathing Gym. The buzzing and
playing exercises are based upon materials drawn from a wide variety of individuals and sources, although
many are of my own invention. A few sources include:

• My primary teachers, Randy Kohlenberg, Dennis AsKew, Edward R. Bahr, and Debra Johnson.
• Warm-up studies by Emory Remington, some of which are published in The Remington Warm-Up Studies,
ed. Donald Hunsberger (Accura Music).
• High-Range Exercises by Norman Bolter (Air-Ev Publications).
• The Art of French Horn Playing, by Philip Farkas (Summy-Birchard).
• Guide to Teaching Brass, by Scott Whitener (Schirmer).
• Doug Elliott, mouthpiece maker and Washington, D.C., area freelance trombonist.
• Stephen Parsons, Associate Professor of Trombone, Illinois State University.
• Craig Tucker, former Principal Trombonist, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
• Ron Wilkins, San Antonio area low brass performer and teacher.

Although the routine as presented is comprehensive and effective, each player has specific individual needs that
must be addressed. Modification, addition, and/or omission of certain materials to suit the individual is often
necessary and is encouraged. If in doubt, seek the advice of a qualified teacher.
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.3

Breathing Exercises
The following exercises were developed by the great tubists Sam Pilafian and Patrick Sheridan, and are among
those featured in their book/DVD set The Breathing Gym. The goal here is primarily to “stretch” the breathing
apparatus in order to prepare it for the day’s playing. Therefore, some of the exercises require “overtraining”
that is not exactly analogous to normal breathing. Remember, breathe low!!

1.
4 counts in—4 counts out (2 times)
3 counts in—4 counts out (2 times)
2 counts in—4 counts out (2 times)
1 count in—4 counts out (repeat as many times as possible)

2.
4 counts in—4 counts out (2 times)
4 counts in—3 counts out (2 times)
4 counts in—2 counts out (2 times)
4 counts in—1 count out (repeat as many times as possible)

3.
4 counts in—4 counts out (2 times)
3 counts in—3 counts out (2 times)
2 counts in—2 counts out (2 times)
1 count in—1 count out (repeat as many times as possible)
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.4

Mouthpiece Buzzing

 "| "| "| "| "|

4. "Short" Long Tones mm=100-120

| "| | "| | | | | "| | | | "| | | |

| | "|

"| | "|"| "| | "|"| "| | "| | "|"| "| "| "| "| "|
| "| | (| "|
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.5

Exercises "On the Horn"

5. Long Tones mm=60-120

 "A
A "A "A "A A "A "A "A A

A A A "A A A A "A A A A (A A "A

"A A "A "A "A A "A "A "A A "A A "A "A

"A "A "A "A "A
A "A A (A "A
 c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
6. Separated Quarter Notes mm=60-120

t t t t t t t t "t t "t t t t t t
 c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
"t t "t t t t t t t t t t "t t "t t
 c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
t t t t "t t "t t t t t t "t t "t t
 c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
t t t t t t t t "t t "t t t t t t
 c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c

"t t "t t t t t t t t t t "t t "t t

 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.6

 "t ttttttt tId

t ttttttt tId "t ttttttt tId t ttttttt d d
7. Legato Tonguing mm=100-120

t "t ttttttt I
I t
 d d d d
t ttttttt tI t ttttttt tI "t ttttttt tI t ttttttt tI
 d d d d
"t ttttttt tI t ttttttt I
t t ttttttt It "t ttttttt It
 d d d d
t ttttttt I t "t ttttttt I
t t ttttttt It "t ttttttt It
 d d d d
I I I I
t ttttttt t t ttttttt t "t ttttttt t t ttttttt t
 d d d d
I I I I
"t ttttttt t t ttttttt t t ttttttt t "t ttttttt t

 b b
8. Lip Slurs mm=100-120

| "| | | | |
"| "| | |

0 _____________________________

b b
2 _____________________________

"| "| |
"| "| "| | | | |
 b b
1 _____________________________ 1-2 _____________________________

"| "| |
"| "| "| | | | |
 b
2-3 _____________________________ 1-3 or 4 ________________________

| | |
| |
1-2-3 or 2-4 __________________________________________________
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.7
9. Lip Slurs mm=100=120

 "tttttI d tttttI d "tttttttttttttI d !t t d t t d

t t tI t t tI td
t!tttttttttttI
0 _____________________________________ 2 _____________________________________


"tttttI d tttttI d "tttttttttttttI d t t d tt d t t t t t t d
t t tI t t tI ttttttI t
 "t t d t t d "t t t t t t d
1 _____________________________________

d tt d d
1-2___________________________________

"t t I
t t t tI "t t t t t t tI t t
t t tI t t tI t t t
ttttttIt t tt
 d d d
2-3___________________________________ 1-3 or 4 _______________________________

t !t t t tI ttttI
t t !t t t t t t t t t t t I
t
1-2-3 or 2-4 __________________________________________________________________

 "t t t t t
10. Lip Slurs mm=100-120

t t t t t"t ttttttttt t "t"tttttttt t tt ttttttt t

t "t t

0 _______________ 2_______________ 1 _______________ 1-2 ______________

"t "t t t t t t t t t tt tt ttt tt t ttttttttt t

"t t t
2-3 ______________________ 1-3 or 4 __________________
1-2-3 or 2-4 ______________

 "t
11. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

t"t #t t t"t #t t t "t #t t t t"t#t t t"t#t t t"t#t t


t"t t t #t"t t t #t"t t t #t
"t t "t #t t t "t #t t t "t #t t

t"t t t#t"t t t#t"t t t#t t"t t t#t"t t t #t"t t t #t
continued on next page...
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.8


"t t"t #t t t"t #t t t "t #t t "t t"t#t t t"t#t t t"t#t t

t"t t t #t"t t t #t"t t t #t
"t t "t #t t t "t #t t t "t #t t

t"t t t#t"t t t#t"t t t#t t"t t t#t"t t t #t"t t t #t

"t t t t t t t t t t t t t "t t t t t t t t t t t t t

t t"t#t t t"t#t t t "t #t t
"t t t t t t t t t t t t t

t t "t #t t t "t #t t t "t #t t tt"t#t t t"t#t t t"t #t t

 !!!! d d """" " d

12. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

" "
I I
tt t t
t t t ttttttttttttttt
t ttt t t t t tt t t t t t t I
t
! d """" d
ttttttttttttIt ttttttttttttI t
 !!! d "" d
ttttttttttttI
t ttttttttttttI t
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.9

 b c dÇ t tt tt t tt tt t "t ttttt dÇ t !ttttt t ttttt t !ttttt dÇ

13. Lip Slurs mm=100-120

tJ t"t tt t t t"t tJ t t t t t t "tJ

0 __________________________________
t
2 ______________________________ 1 ___


"t"ttt"tttttttttttt "t"ttt"tttt dÇ tJ tttttttttttttttt tttttttt dÇ "tJ
"t t
1 _________________________________ 1-2 ___________________________________ 2-3

 "t t "t dÇ t t t dÇ
"t t t t "t t
"t"t t tttt t tt "t"t t tt t t t t t t
tt t tttt t tt tt t tt
J
t J
"t t t
2-3 ________________________________ 1-3 or 4________________________________ 1-2-3

 c
t t !t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t !t t t t t t
t
1-2-3 or 2-4________________________________________________________

14. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

 " " t tt ttttttttttttt ttt tttttt c !!! t tttttt ttttttt t t ttttt c

t t t t

 " " " t t t tttt ttt tttt tt t tttt c !

" t t t t tttttttttttttttt ttttttttt c
 "" " "
" " t t t t ttttt ttttttt t t t t ttttt c " ttt t tttttttttttt ttt tttttt c
 !!!! c "" c
ttt ttt ttt " t tt ttt ttt
t t t ttttt tt t t t ttt t tt tttt t tt ttt ttt
continued on next page...
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.10

 !! c """ c
ttttt ttttt ttttt " " ttttt ttttt t t ttt
t t ttt t tt tt tt ttt t t t tt
 c !!!! c
!
tttttttttttttttt ttttttttt t t tt ttttt ttttttt t t tt ttttt
 "" c
tttttttttttttttt ttttttttt

 ó ó
15. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

b
t t t t t t t t t t t t tt tt ttt t |

 ó ó
1-2 3 1-2 3 1-2 3 sim.

b
t t t t t t t t t t t t tt tt ttt t |
 ó ó b
1-2 3 1-2 3 1-2 3 sim.

t t t t t t t t t t t t tt tt ttt t |
1-2 3 1-2 3 1-2 3 sim.
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.11

For exercises 16-17 use a different scale every day. The F Major scale is used here only as an example.

 ó ó
16. Tonguing Speed -- Single Tonguing mm=100-140

c
t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt
 ó ó c
tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu tu

t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt
 ó ó
c
sim.

t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt
ó ó
 "t t t t t c
t t t t t "t t t t t t t t t
ó ó
 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c

 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c
ó ó
 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c
ó ó
 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c
ó ó
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.12

17. Tonguing Speed -- Multiple Tonguing mm=180-235

Use whichever triple-tonguing pattern is most comfortable for you. OR, try to
develop proficiency using both patterns, as in rare instances one pattern is
preferable over the other.

 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c
ó ó
tu tu tu tu tu ku tu tu ku tu tu ku tu ku tu ku tu ku tu

 t t t t t t t t t t
tu tu tu tu tu tu ku tu tu ku tu ku tu ku tu ku tu ku tu

ttttttttt c
sim. ó ó
 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c
óó óó
 t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c

 "t t t t t tó t t tó t c
"t t t t t t t t t
 ó ó
t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt c
 ó ó c
t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt
 ó ó c
t t t t t t t t t t ttttttttt
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.13

18. Harmonic Series mm=100-120

Play at least the notes that are not in parentheses. Add the higher notes as your ability increases.
Practice playing each partial and eliminating the "non-chord tones."

 t ütý t ü !t üý !t üý !t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü !t üý !t ý t ü t ý t c b
t !t !t t t
t t t

t ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý t ü "t ý t
1-2-3 or 2-4_________________________________________________________________

 t ü "t ý c b
t t t t t
t
t t
1-3 or 4____________________________________________________________________

ü "t ü
ý "t ý ü t üý" t ý ü t ý ü "t ýü "t ý "t
 "t ü "t ý "t ü "t ý"t "t c b
"t "t "t "t
"t
"t "t

t ü t ý ü t üý!t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý t ü t ý t
2-3________________________________________________________________________

 t ütý
t t t t t t c b
t t
ü t üý" t ý ü t ý ü t ýü "t ý "t
1-2_________________________________________________________________________

 ü "t ý "t ü "t ý ü t ý ü "t ý"t t

"t t "t "t "t c b
"t
"t "t
1___________________________________________________________________________

 t ütý t ü t üý! t üý! t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü!t ý ü t ý t ü t ý t

t t !t !t t t c b
t t
2___________________________________________________________________________

ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý ü t ý "t
 t ü "t ý "t ü "t ý t t
"t t "t t c b
t
"t "t
0___________________________________________________________________________
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.14


19. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

c
"t t "t t "t t t t "t #t "t #t "t "t t "t t "t t t t

"t#t "t#t "t t "t t "t t t t t#t"t#t "t t "t t "t t t t "t #t "t #t "t

 c c
20. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

"t#t t"t t"t t t "t "t#t t"t#t"t t t "t#t t"t#t"t t t "t#t t"t#t" t t t "t

 d d
21. Fingering Exercise mm=120-180

"t t t t t t t t t t t t I
t ttttttttttttI
t
 d d
"t "t t "t t t t t t t t t I
t ttttttttttttI
t
 d d
"t "t t "t t t t t t t t t I
t I
ttttttttttttt
 d d
I I
!t t t
t ttt ttt ttt t t t
"t t "t t t t t t t t
 BB-Flat Tuba Warm-Up, Level 2 (Everett), p.15

 c c c c c
22. Low-Range Extension mm=80-100

"t t "t t "t

"t t t t "t t t t "t t
 c c c
t t "t
t t t t "t t