Can you practice bass without the bass?

[vengence]

Is it possible to practice technique, speed and accuracy without the actual bass guitar? I haven't had much time to practice lately due to school.

[hdracer]

Sure,

Just like you can practice sex with out a partner.....

[bolophonic]

When I have complicated bass lines that I need to remember, I use creative visualization to help achieve my goals when I am not practicing. It is not a substitution for practice, but it is a method of applying your mind power in the right direction.

Creative visualization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[colcifer]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Sure,

Just like you can practice sex with out a partner.....

LMAO

[vengence]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Sure,

Just like you can practice sex with out a partner.....

Lol

[brndn123]

Jazz pianist Hal Galper is an avid endorser of the idea suggesting that your brain is the true instrument and your fingers, hands, feet, and the physical instrument itself are merely tools used to "deliver" the musical ideas from your brain. I've found that I've learned more about music by simply listening more and to the right things in a piece of music than physically practicing however, different strokes...

[Joe Nerve]

Technique, speed and accuracy I'm not sure. Learning songs though, I do it all the time. I often practice while driving, listening along to songs that I'm working on. I visualize the notes and fingering while listening and it really helps drill it home. It gets real clear where I'm uncertain, and works just as good practice wise as if I actually had a bass in my hands.

[M0ses]

How will practicing in a different way solve your time issue?

[Matthew_84]

Yeah, listening to music... REALLY listening to music is a huge help, try to identify the chord progression, and when the chords change, things like this.

Also, I've gotten into doing finger exercises, by placing my fingers, palm down, on a desk and training myself to lift one finger at a time while focussing on not moving the others, then I'll try lifting two fingers at the same time (ex. index and ring, while keeping pinky, middle and thumb on the table). This has helped with my fretting hand's coordination.

[MNAirHead]

Once you can hear intervals, this becomes tons easier.

[Tampabass]

air bass?

[zackthompson]

I got really good at my slap technique by banging my thumb against the steering wheel to the radio while i drove.

[Definitely]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Sure,

Just like you can practice sex with out a partner.....

if you have a right hand you're fine

[SlugThrower]

Go over basic theory in your brain like the circle of fifths or different modes and scale progressions.

[theworldismad]

Bring sheet music to school and just read whenever you have a chance. Read the music while tapping out the rhythm with a finger or foot.

[Gadgetjunky]

yes. I memtally review songs all the time. You should be able to reach a point where you can hear keys and mentally learn a new song recognizing going to 3rd, 5th, etc.. This will help you im many ways. Now speed and technique can be practiced on anything like a gear shifter, edge of table and you will benefit by conditioning you finger tips.

[natw42]

Originally Posted by brndn123

Jazz pianist Hal Galper is an avid endorser of the idea suggesting that your brain is the true instrument and your fingers, hands, feet, and the physical instrument itself are merely tools used to "deliver" the musical ideas from your brain. I've found that I've learned more about music by simply listening more and to the right things in a piece of music than physically practicing however, different strokes...

crazily enough, I was just watching his video on this very subject because Ed Friedland 'liked' it on YouTube.

Link: Hal Galper's Master Class - The Illusion of An Instrument - YouTube

[vengence]

Thanks. Atleast I know what to do in class now

[nutdog]

Gedankenexperiment

[anonymous122511]

What Hal Galper is talking about in the Master Class - The Illusion of An Instrument video are fairly simple concepts that hit directly on some basic truths. The ideas in all those JazzVideoGuy youtube posts of Hal Galper are well worth the time and effort to absorb. It will make you a better player.