How loud do you practice?

[Dash Rantic]

I tend to practice with the lowest possible setting on my 10-watt amp, and often just go unplugged.

You only need the volume when you're playing with others, so I don't really feel the need for massive power when I'm just practicing.

-Dash

 

[Tom Howland]

Low volume.
My amp just loud enough to be heard.

 

[BassyVick]

I practice in the bathroom unpluged with my laptop (for music and metronome)

im a big beliver in the organic natural tone thing

 

[SBassman]

Depends on the mood.

Sometimes loud enough to simulate gig playing level.

Sometimes quiet enough to just barely be heard - while I'm watching TV.

 

[BassyBill]

Trouble with practising too quiet (especially unplugged) is it doesn't show up sloppy fingering or ringing open strings very well. I usually practice with my amp on about 10 o'clock, and that's pretty loud. Luckily I live in a detached house with double glazing a decent distance from my nearest neighbours (a pub ). I can pretty much make as much noise as I want.

 

[Seigi]

I don't use an amp most of the time. I'll usually just jam on my acoustic.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

I actually practice most of the time unplugged. I remember reading that suggestion in a Billy Sheehan interview a long time ago, and it's a great idea. It really helps you get a good tone where it starts--out of your fingers alone.

+ 10. . I also play my acoustic bass. Sometimes, I'll plug in to check setting and stuff that I've worked out. But not as loud as a gig, or band practice for that matter. Band practice is fairly loud but we wear ear plugs.

 

[bassjamn]

Practiice: headphones + Pandora
Rehearsal: Pretty loud, but enough for my 15db earplugs to stop my ears from ringing.

 

[ryco]

Medium thru headphones
Fairly loud w/o.

 

[jsbass]

I live in an apartment. I jam as loud as I want with my Fender Rumble 100w w/ 15" speaker. Especially when I'll jam along to some tunes. No one has complained yet, which im surprised. Especially with my new Morley PWB, which drives my amp even louder while playing hehe.

 

[Cubeface]

9 out of 10 times I pratice without an amp... It really helped my get better at hammer-ons

 

[janek65]

at home - headphones, sometimes unplugged.
with band - absurdly loud & with earplugs. A short while ago they measured it at 125db. Ridiculous imo. Our guitarist says he doesn't even play loud. He won't play more quiet.. duh.

 

[Commreman]

When I'm at home, not loud at all - in fact, no one hears me but me, because I practice through my Tascam BT 1 with headphones!

 

[Philbiker]

When I woodshed I sometimes crank it way up just for fun. When my band practices, my Trace Elliot Boxer 30 is sufficient (just barely) to keep up with my drummer using "rodz" and three guitar players.

 

[Alexander]

By myself - usually unplugged. With the band? Depends - too friggin loud, usually

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

We practice about as loud as we play out. I'm guessing about 1/3 to 1/2 Throttle. We mike the drums, and have sound-proofed a 15 x 15 foot room in the basement.

If I'm practicing at home alone, probably a bit quieter, but still pretty loud. I have an acoustic bass if I need to play late, or play quiet. Amplified instruments were meant to be played loudly.

 

[SteveC]

As soft as I/we can. Volume is for gigs. There's no need to opractice at hi levels.

 

[Mark Perry]

Mostly unplugged at home or at about 7:30 (100w)
Usually 11 - 2 o'clock for practices (in a small hall and moderately sized church hall - sometimes need quite a lot of volume)
I played in a metal band for a while where full volume wasn't load enough.

 

[yaniv]

8-9 oclock with 35watts
my headphones suck so i cant really use them.if i want to,i just play unplugged

 

[CanadianBass48]

With the band... It is a war to be heard. Everyone cranks their stuff up.

By myself... I practice pretty quietly. I run my bass through my computer and out of my little sound system. I really like the sound that I get out of it. But ya, when I practice alone, I am not loud.