Is Practice not just Practice?

[NOAH_FX]

Hey Guys, Sorry for starting a new thread if it wasn't needed, but i just wanted to get some answer's for a few specific questions.

Anyway, I love playing bass, i could never go back and call myself a "Guitarist" again, but i still love guitar and my practice during the week probably includes more guitar than Bass.. I play through our setlist fully atleast once a week, and me and the guitarist will meet once every couple to work on parts that we dont feel sound great and it helps.

But when im learning scales or trying to just help my theory, i always seem to play guitar. I think it's cause the acoustic is always sitting on the stand and since i dont have a bass stand at home it's always in the case... but lately i've been worried it might hurt my progress. I figured at first a scale's a scale if i learn it on one it learnt it on the other, but it dosent help my muscle memory...

Sorry for being so long, most people will probably skip it, but what do you guys think.. and any other tips would be great as we'll (I've beeen playing bass about 7 months now)

Thanks guys

[Mark Wilson]

You kidding?
It's gonna benefit you in the long run to keep up both instruments.

So practicing scales and that definitely won't hurt you. I wouldn't suggest solely practicing everything on guitar, because they're different instruments, with different neck width, scale length, and all around entirely different beasts.

[dvh]

Take the bass out of its case and keep it handy. Convenient access makes a huge difference.

[christoph h.]

Get a bass stand. It's very understandable that you always just grab the guitar instead of the bass if you have to get it out of the case first.

[GianGian]

Yeah, I love playing the acoustic too, but you could try to discipline yourself to play more bass than guitar.

[NOAH_FX]

I agree DVH it used to rest against my amp, until some little four legged creature knocked it over... It's stayed in the case since lol, but im going to get a 3 stand soon, than i'll leave it out more.

Thanks Mark, thats kind of what i meant, I find sometimes when i play guitar for a week and don't play the bass much it takes me a bit to get my fingers working right.. I can reach the notes, but I dont seem to have the strength I usually have and the notes come out muddy and off pace for awhile until i get back into it, but i geuss that could just be warming up.

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by NOAH_FX

... i've been worried it might hurt my progress. I figured at first a scale's a scale if i learn it on one it learnt it on the other, but it dosent help my muscle memory...

answered your own question , I think.
The theory and scale patterns are one thing, but acquiring the muscle memory and technique are another.

don't give up guitar, but if your a bass player, practice bass. IMHO the only thing worth practicing without a bass in your hands is reading rhythm.

[Tampabass]

You can definitely make gains as an all-around musician by continuing to play multiple instruments, whether guitar or something else. So don't quit doing that.
But the only way to consistently improve as a bassist is to play bass. And if time only allows for practicing one instrument, stick to bass.

[Bloodhammer]

A lot of times I practice with my electric bass not plugged in. It's not for any reason other than a sleeping girlfriend, but I think a side effect is that my fingers are stronger from having to dig in more to get a sound.

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by Bloodhammer

A lot of times I practice with my electric bass not plugged in...

unplugged: Good for learning & exploring scale shapes and fingering patterns
But useless for developing good dynamics and a clean, relaxed technique.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I feel strongly that too much unplugged practice can be detrimental in many ways,
mainly because You can't get a realistic appreciation for how your choices really affect your sound.
Consider a headphone amp!

[dvh]

Originally Posted by mambo4

unplugged: Good for learning & exploring scale shapes and fingering patterns
But useless for developing good dynamics and a clean, relaxed technique.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I feel strongly that too much unplugged practice can be detrimental in many ways,
mainly because You can't get a realistic appreciation for how your choices really affect your sound.
Consider a headphone amp!

I agree 100%. Too much digging in is not the best technique...

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by NOAH_FX

Hey GuysI figured at first a scale's a scale if i learn it on one it learnt it on the other, but it dosent help my muscle memory...

I think you're incorrect. I play both, and have for years. Muscle memory is aided by practicing either, IME. Baseball throwing and guitar playing-too dissimilar. Scale playing on guitar, and then on bass or vice-versa- similar enough. I'm not saying never spend quality, focused time on one or the other. But these things (bass and guitar) are not unlike each other in some basic mechanics and techniques.

[dpbass66]

...safest, most convenient way to keep your basse(s) at hand for parctice...hang 'em on the wall. PLus they look cool and add to the decor!!!

[Bloodhammer]

Originally Posted by mambo4

unplugged: Good for learning & exploring scale shapes and fingering patterns
But useless for developing good dynamics and a clean, relaxed technique.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I feel strongly that too much unplugged practice can be detrimental in many ways,
mainly because You can't get a realistic appreciation for how your choices really affect your sound.
Consider a headphone amp!

My GF "lost" the dang headphone adapter because I wanted her to use them when I was trying to watch tv. I'd say 90% of the time I'm using the amp, though.

[Baron Von Vik]

Picking up the acoustic guitar to help you learn bass = BUZZ BUZZ BUZZZ.

Practice for the bass ON YOUR BASS.

Don't stop practicing guitar, by any means. Keep it up!

But practice the correct songs on the correct instrument, please. And while at it, explore the capabilities of each.

Keep rockin', by all means.

\m/