Practicing During Lunch @ Work

[BrianMarc]

Do you just leave the bass out in the office, lock the office when you leave/at night, hide the bass (emptied out filing cabinet?), put it under the desk?

[jdepriest]

Originally Posted by BrianMarc

What do you do at work without your bass to improve? For example, I brought some sheet music and just started identifying notes and keys.

If you can play music in you office, listen to a song till you can sing all the parts. Then when you get home play it.

[jmac]

Originally Posted by BrianMarc

What do you do at work without your bass to improve? For example, I brought some sheet music and just started identifying notes and keys.

I practice ear training; for which I use musictheory.net.

There are so many things, but the latest one I started doing, courtesy of Anthony Wellington, is:

Randomize the numbers 1 through 7 (zero repeats). Select a key.

Write out the intervals of the key in the order generated.

For example, if the order comes up 5, 2, 1, 6, 3, 4, 7 and the key of Cmaj. I then write, as quickly as I can:

G7, Dmin7, Cmaj7, Amin7, Emin7, Fmaj7, Bmin7/b5.

Actually, when I did the exercise with Anthony we just named the note. When I do it on my own I add the maj/min and I always use 7.

I had a software colleague create a random number generator for my phone; which also generates a key.

There are many more exercises that I do; PM me if you want some more information.

[Rick Blanc]

Yup. I practice at work. A couple of the guys play guitar here also so I brought in my acoustic guitar to the studio to have someone to jam with.

[waidada]

Originally Posted by jmac

I practice ear training; for which I use musictheory.net.

There are so many things, but the latest one I started doing, courtesy of Anthony Wellington, is:

Randomize the numbers 1 through 7 (zero repeats). Select a key.

Write out the intervals of the key in the order generated.

For example, if the order comes up 5, 2, 1, 6, 3, 4, 7 and the key of Cmaj. I then write, as quickly as I can:

G7, Dmin7, Cmaj7, Amin7, Emin7, Fmaj7, Bmin7/b5.

Actually, when I did the exercise with Anthony we just named the note. When I do it on my own I add the maj/min and I always use 7.

I had a software colleague create a random number generator for my phone; which also generates a key.

There are many more exercises that I do; PM me if you want some more information.

I watch tutorial and come here~ haha
do you know of any free website for ear training for relative pitch or even perfect pitch? TIA

[Clark Westfield]

My bass just hangs on a Herc wall hanger which allows me to stare at it all day.

It calls me,,,,,"Clark, Clark, please come and play with me."

The Rumble hides under my end table out of sight.

I lock the office when I leave,,,,never an issue.

[bander68]

Sure I practice at work. But my gig is kind of built for it, since I teach band at a public school. I have a PA amp/combo thingie to plug into already and a 45 minute "planning period" every day. Today, I "plan" to practice my Dominant Seventh lessons in my Ed Friedland book 3, then whatever is on the next page after that.

It's funny, I find practicing at work a lot easier than home. At least here there's a bell that sounds that makes all the kids go away. Maybe I could install a bell at my house...hmm...

[mrbell321]

Originally Posted by BrianMarc

Do you just leave the bass out in the office, lock the office when you leave/at night, hide the bass (emptied out filing cabinet?), put it under the desk?

I leave mine out on its stand in my cube all the time. I work with professionals, so it shouldn't be a problem. It's a $100 in an office w/ several thousand dollars worth of computer equipment in my cube alone. If someone walks off w/ my bass, they are an idiot.

[BrianMarc]

Originally Posted by mrbell321

I leave mine out on its stand in my cube all the time. I work with professionals, so it shouldn't be a problem. It's a $100 in an office w/ several thousand dollars worth of computer equipment in my cube alone. If someone walks off w/ my bass, they are an idiot.

That's awesome. I may just go with that approach.
Thanks!

[BrianMarc]

Originally Posted by jmac

I practice ear training; for which I use musictheory.net.

There are so many things, but the latest one I started doing, courtesy of Anthony Wellington, is:

Randomize the numbers 1 through 7 (zero repeats). Select a key.

Write out the intervals of the key in the order generated.

For example, if the order comes up 5, 2, 1, 6, 3, 4, 7 and the key of Cmaj. I then write, as quickly as I can:

G7, Dmin7, Cmaj7, Amin7, Emin7, Fmaj7, Bmin7/b5.

Actually, when I did the exercise with Anthony we just named the note. When I do it on my own I add the maj/min and I always use 7.

I had a software colleague create a random number generator for my phone; which also generates a key.

There are many more exercises that I do; PM me if you want some more information.

Thanks for pointing out this web site. Now, I am aware of much more stuff that I do not know! BTW, which of the two programs do you use?

[BrianMarc]

Update - using the weird-as-anything U-bass - 15 mins of practice in the office with an online metronome: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/metronome/

[Betsy Heimann]

here's a nice video about practising without an instrument:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8xuLYeDH2Q

[sonofabass]

I wouldn't listen to anyone who told you not to. When I ha a "straight gig" I practiced whenever I could at work. Even today I don't think twice about pulling out my bass and a headphone amp in a coffee shop. Let people look all they want. Get it in where you can get it in.

When I was en route to NAMM this year there was a woman in a full on yoga routine , may and everything....in the airport. She was RIPPED and in great shape. Most of The people trippin on her were stuffin arteries with airport crap. There's my unsolicited 2.25 :-)

[zon6c-f]

Have done it when already loaded for a gig.
PLUS 100 for using Korg Pandora.

As for strange looks.. Co-workers all know I do music and they all love some genre of music , so... no issues when I jhave done thgat.

And yes, I would love to keep a bass and headphones here..but no time soon for me.

[casper_morgan]

Originally Posted by BrianMarc

Has anyone on TB ever used time during the work day to practice the bass? I guess I am talking about 15 minutes to practice scales... I could bring my old Squire or a UBass and play without an amp or into a Korg Pandora.... Thoughts, anybody?

I'm constantly in the bass room jammin on whatever cool $3000.00 bass we have in there, trying to see what the hell makes a bass cost $3000.00

[pkstone]

I have to disagree w/ the "don't be *that* guy" reply. Be that guy. It beats watching Netflix or any other mindless lunch break pastime.

I'm lucky enough to live two and a half miles from work, so I bike home every day for lunch and get in 20 minutes of practice. I'd go nuts without it, I think.

[BrianMarc]

I appreciate everyone's input. I got a bass when I was 15 and played a bit here and there. At 43, I decided to pick it up again - and I am a TOTAL BEGINNER. Also, my free time is limited, as I am the father of 2 kids, my wife works full time and then some, and it is just hard to find time at home after everyone goes to bed. It just seems to be reasonable to spend 10-15 mins practicing, learning, or whatever I can do when I can do it. Thanks again for your great input and recommendations. Have a great weekend.

[DannyShem]

I am self-employed, so I can't comment on playing at work. However, for religious reasons I don't play musical instruments on Saturday. That is the time I spend looking at sheet music and reviewing music theory. I am still learning scales, so I often try to name the notes in a scale (major, minor, pentatonic).

[Philonius]

I work for/by myself, so getting in trouble w/ the boss or co-workers isn't an issue. I keep a little Cort Steiny copy under my desk along with a set of headphones and a 1/4"-1/8" cable that allows me to plug into the compter and jam along with Garage Band. 'Been too busy to get in much playing lately, but in the past I've found some good practice time that way. Highly recommended.

[BrianMarc]

Danny, that sounds like a good idea for me too. Thanks.
Philonious. I did not know I could do that with Garage Band. That sounds pretty cool. Thanks!
FYI, brought the Wishbass to work again today to work on some early (basic) lessons in the Ed Friedland Walking Bass lines book.