Bass Trainers and practice

[BenOz]

I'm still pretty new in the Bass World, so I would like to know what you think about Bass trainers?

I've found the TASCAM CD and Mp3 trainers. Are there any other ones I should know about or will I be wasting my money on these things?



At the moment I'm just using Alex Sampson's practicing technique and although it includes practicing software. I believe the software has something to be desired. Don't get me wrong. Good old fashioned finger exercises are what I need, I just want to try as many things that are available to use. And this kinda looked good.
The reviews I've read so far are a bit confusing. It's either loved or hated!

Maybe you have other views on practicing.

As for been gifted or talented with music, I'm the other kind that needs to work really hard at it.

Anyway your comments will be appreciated.

Thanks

Ben

[lug]

These and the Korg Pandora's seem to be the most popular. I'd suggest recording yourself whjile you practice. The playback always brings more discipline!

[ninerfan]

I have the mp3 one and I think it's great. I have a wife and kids and it allows me to jam at night and not disturb anyone. You will need to get a decent pair of headphones.

[StuartV]

I have the MP3 one. I like it a lot. Most of the time, I use it plugged into the Aux In on my Promethean combo, so I'm just using the Bass Trainer as a fancy MP3 player. But, in that scenario, I still frequently use these features:

- slow down the tempo of whatever I'm playing along with
- change the key of whatever I'm playing along with (for songs that were recorded with drop tuning)
- use the In/Out marks and looping to just cycle over and over through a specific section of a song

And, some times, when I go out of town for a weekend (or longer), I use it with headphones also, so I can do the same as above, but without disturbing anybody else, and without having to bring my practice amp.

The sound quality when slowing down tracks or when changing keys is not great. You can definitely tell that it's playing it back altered. In other words, if you played a track "normal" and then played it slowed down or with transposed key, a "blind test" listener would easily be able to tell which was the original and which was being messed with. But, that's okay for me. It's more than good enough for purposed of practicing and learning songs.

[bassbully]

Not sure if this post belongs under basses. A Tascam bass trainer is a #1 tool for me and really helped me get back quickly into playing after not playing for over 20 years. A Tber suggested it to me back then and i am passing it's praises on to you...get one and use it now!

[Fenderjazz6823]

With a Family Mp-BT1 works great just get a good set of head phones

[tijuana_bass]

I have an old Reed Kotler digital recorder (no longer available) and a Korg Pandora, I use them for much or most of my practicing, they're great for learning songs and picking out parts. I always remember a story I heard about how Duane Allman used to practice with a record turntable on the floor, slowing down the parts he was working on with his toe. The digital trainers work like Duane's toe, except the pitch doesn't get lower the slower the part plays, and I don't have to lean over and pick up the stylus arm and move it back to repeat the phrase I'm stealing.
Regarding the question of giftedness and talent as opposed to being a hard worker, while ideally one would posses a certain amount of both qualities, I personally love living up to a reputation for being a cat who shows up prepared for the gig. I don't think it's paradoxical that I'm a much better improvisor when I have my part down cold. I'm happy to show up and play a job dead cold if I have to, but I much prefer to learn the material, whatever it is, in advance.

[christle]

I have both of those and I love them. It really helps to have a good set of head phones and you need to spend time getting to know how the unit works.

[BenOz]

Originally Posted by ninerfan

I have the mp3 one and I think it's great. I have a wife and kids and it allows me to jam at night and not disturb anyone. You will need to get a decent pair of headphones.

Originally Posted by Fenderjazz6823

With a Family Mp-BT1 works great just get a good set of head phones

What headphones do you use? I'm thinking of getting the BEYERDYNAMIC DT 770 PRO 80. I would imagine that it will work well with the PJ Bass Buddy?

Thanks

Ben

[BenOz]

Thanks Admin for moving it to Miscellaneous where no one reads any posts.


Ben

[tycobb73]

I agree with most other posts. Sometimes I practiced a midnight when my wfie has to get up ealry. It affects no one. My church is notorious for changing keys, sometimes as much as a 4th. This comes in hand as I like to play off of muscle memory. The tempo changer really helped me with Kiss' Detroit Rock City.

[Stumbo]

Here's a link to check out: Bass trainers/practice w/o amps

[BenOz]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Here's a link to check out: Bass trainers/practice w/o amps

Thanks

Maybe I should also run a poll between the TASCAM and PANDORA.

Maybe I should just get both!

Ben

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by BenOz

What headphones do you use? I'm thinking of getting the BEYERDYNAMIC DT 770 PRO 80. I would imagine that it will work well with the PJ Bass Buddy?

Thanks

Ben

I have the Tascam MP3 trainer and have used it for a couple of years now. I use Audio-Technica ATHANC7 active noise-cancelling headphones. I love these headphones. They are every bit as good as the very expensive Bose noise cancelling headphones (in fact, they're nearly identical). I have to say, I'm not sure what happened to these headphones because I bought mine a couple years ago for about $125 and now they seem to have skyrocketed in price. Anyway, with these phones, I can hear everything in the MP3 trainer loud and clear and I can't hear anyone else. Great way to focus on the music and really get some productive practice/study time in. I highly recommend them.