How do you learn to play in the darK?

[Jawbone]

I've been living in the dark and playing in the dark most of my life - but now one of my bandmates told me we actually have to "play in the dark" at a gig coming up on Sat. - dark and minimal lights.

Man-o-man - never done that! How can i learn my parts or what do you do - I think I'll call in sick!

[fryBASS]

Either practice not looking at the fingerboard while you play or get LED's installed on your bass neck pronto!

[Jerose]

Look into some glow-in the dark tape that wouldn't damage the neck and put a little piece of it over the fret markers on the top of your neck?

That way at least you won't lose your place if you have to jump around the neck at all.

That's all I can think of!

[pica]

Why are you living in the dark?

[puddin tame]

How long have you been playing?

I think you'll find if you stop thinking about your playing the notes will just come out. Often our bodies know what to do and we **** it up by worrying about it

[c_thur]

practice with your eyes closed- might heighten your sense of hearing?

[JimmyM]

stop being a wuss and use your ears

[phaneo]

close your eyes!

In almost every pic of me playing I have my eyes closed. I don't even realize I'm doing it. Probably doesn't look great, but I'm not looking down at the bass the whole time either

[BassGreaser]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

stop being a wuss and use your ears

I fully agree!! Man up.. your ears are your best tools in the dark or not

[faulknersj]

If it is a 'Rave' type of gig just commandeer a Glo-Stick and strap it on.

[David1234]

Some folks have stickers on the back of the neck, behind every fret position that has a dot.

I don't. But you could try it if you wanted to!

Alternatively, you could take some lights with you.

[Jawbone]

Wow, you guys are true heros. I hate being a wuss and I too will overcome this fear that's not real!! I just tried playing a few songs in the basement with the lights off and actually not soooo bad. You guys are right, take away one sense and the others pick up where the one left off. I didn't know my ears were so smart! Even the touch of my fingers felt different. Grooovy man!!

[Mark Wilson]

When I started playing, I practiced a LOT in the dark because lets be realistic, you're not going to be able to see your fingerboard if you start playing certain gigs. There's no harm if you practice in the dark. You know your bass better, learn where things are. You learn the subtleties about your instrument!

So, i suggest turning off the lights, or blind folding yourself, then play scales SLOWLY and focus on where the next note is going to be. Visualize it in your head first, get a REALLY good vision of it, then go there.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Jawbone

I've been living in the dark and playing in the dark most of my life - but now one of my bandmates told me we actually have to "play in the dark" at a gig coming up on Sat. - dark and minimal lights.

Man-o-man - never done that! How can i learn my parts or what do you do - I think I'll call in sick!

one of the benefits of sight reading is practice moving around the neck without looking

[LiamPodmore]

I just know the songs i have to play and my fretboard extremely well. When i'm learning a song i dont even look at my bass, i just kinda naturally know where each note is, and therefore dont need to look.

Liam

[Nashrakh]

Originally Posted by pica

Why are you living in the dark?

Mean Mr. Mustard, standing in the dark, shaving in the dark, trying to save papers~ *sing

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

When I started playing, I practiced a LOT in the dark because lets be realistic, you're not going to be able to see your fingerboard if you start playing certain gigs.

I had this come up on my first gig ever. Outdoors, dimly lit. A pain in the a$$.

Maybe try to play your bass like a fretless (unlined)?
Don't look at it, listen.

I found that after some time you get so familiar with your instrument though that you should have no problems to find the right note without looking at the neck.

[Jerose]

Originally Posted by Jerose

Look into some glow-in the dark tape that wouldn't damage the neck and put a little piece of it over the fret markers on the top of your neck?

That way at least you won't lose your place if you have to jump around the neck at all.

That's all I can think of!

Just to clarify, my tip is for you playing in complete darkness so you can at least find where your hand is to start the song. Then at least you won't hit a C# to start the song when the rest of the band hits a C.

It is in no way a replacement for knowing how not to look at your fretboard and playing with your ear!

[62Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by Jawbone

take away one sense and the others pick up where the one left off. I didn't know my ears were so smart! Even the touch of my fingers felt different. Grooovy man!!

I frequently practice walking lines with my eyes closed, not to prepare for dark stages, but for ear training and also to force myself to use better hand positioning
(I'm self taught and well, I taught myself some bad habbits in my early years).

I have found it works wonders for the ears in particular - I find I play more "musically" now.

[Daniel J]

practice in the dark.

[I<34080]

The fret positions become second nature after playing for long enough. You'll notice.