How Many Practice Electric Bass Unplugged?

[KaizerRainMan]

Yeah, mostly when I don't bother with headphones or amp.

Just put my chin down to my bass so that I hear that sweet bass rattlin' in my brain.

 

[crapusername]

Most of the time.
If I can’t get clarity and the feel right without an amp, how will it come when it’s louder/ amplified?

 

[zubrycky]

I've doing that for almost 3 decades. I never practice with an amp and I hate headphones.

 

[Keith Guitars]

I nearly always practice unplugged. I've found that I've been able to develop much more control over touch and timbre
this way. It's also a great way to chase out the little fret noises and imperfections that sometimes get mostly lost in the amplified signal
(except they're still there, really, and you notice how much better you sound when they're actually gone).
It has improved my plugged-in tone considerably.

However, I should note that when I do plug in, I play through the cleanest, flattest amp possible, with no effects.
If effects or amp tone were part of what I needed to do, then I would need to practice with the whole signal chain.

 

[ericsmith]

Almost always.
Helps me develop a good full sound.

 

[MtManiac]

I used to, often, for many years, and also played with an underpowered amp - as a result developed a very heavy right hand technique issue that is very difficult to fix. Get a good, big amp and practice playing quietly. There is audible volume between 0 and 1 on the volume knob, so from this perspective it doesn't matter how loud your amp is capable of, you just want to make sure it is turned louder than you're comfortable playing, and practice playing with a softer attack.

Or, you know, YMMV.

 

[3bc]

I used to. It created many bad habits that it took me a long time to unlearn, all based on playing too hard in order to hear myself.

Same. I can launch through complex string crossing lines without an amp, and as soon as I plug in I realize how sloppy it is with extra strings resonating after their notes are done or strings resonating as I slightly knick them on the way by to a lower string. The line might be 98% right, but clean technique on that last 2% is the difference between good and great.

 

[One_Dude]

I believe that much of the sound of the bass depends on my fretting hand; downward pressure on the string, and finger placement within the defined fret. Then my plucking fingers determine the attack and release of each note, along with the sharpness or softness of the tone. I used to always play with a pick, but in the last several years I use my fingers in order to have more control over the sound that I want. There's a definite difference between using my fingernail or the tip of my finger versus using the pad of my finger; sharp sound versus soft fat sound. The two hands determine and control technique and sound, and for me playing unplugged limits the impact and subtle nature of that sound. Hence, I always use an amp when playing bass.

Thump on,

One_Dude

 

[Ewo]

I don't need much volume but I always use an amp. Part of my woodshedding has to do with muting, and getting different tones out of my hands. Can't do that very well without an amp.

 

[Thundertips]

I have noticed that sometimes I just want to grab the bass and sit on the edge of the bed and practice unplugged. It's so simple and easy with no cables, no headphones or wireless electronics to worry over.

I was wondering how many other folks do this and if it is considered an effective way to practice?

Thanks.

I practice unplugged all the time, sitting in front of my laptop, playing along to music. I plug in too, so I can make sure my muting techniques are up to snuff.

 

[chadds]

We may be in different environments. Perhaps running shouting kids, TVs, teens blasting their music, very dead carpeted rooms, loud phone talkers, lost hearing from loud gigging, or farting dogs.

 

[redstrand]

We may be in different environments. Perhaps running shouting kids, TVs, teens blasting their music, very dead carpeted rooms, loud phone talkers, lost hearing from loud gigging, or farting dogs.

Well now that you brought up the farting dogs.....

 

[Jack Butler]

To each their own, but I don't like doing it at all. THe whole dynamic of how I hit the strings changes, since to hear I have to play way harder than when plugged in.

 

[Jack Butler]

It actually doesn't make you better, it makes you develop an unnecessarily hard attack that end up being a bad habit that's incredibly hard to break. But, who really cares about that anyway. That's character.

I agree 100%. Of course there is no right or wrong here, everyone does what works for them, but this is the exact reason I rarely do it.

 

[BarfanyShart]

I really try not to. I think it's really bad for practicing, you won't even hear the bad habits you are creating for yourself, just a waste of your time to undo them later. In quarantine life, my instrument and amp sit right behind my work desk, and I might noodle for a few seconds without an amp in between meetings and tasks. But I try to be disciplined about plugging in if I am going to be playing for longer than literally a minute.

 

[Medicine Man]

I dont understand all the TB hate for "heavy right hand" and "digging in." Sure, there are times when a softer touch wins out, but i emphatically disagree on the concept that digging in is "bad" technique. Not being able to play more loudly is just as much of a dynamics issue as not being able to play more softly.

 

[chadds]

I dont understand all the TB hate for "heavy right hand" and "digging in." Sure, there are times when a softer touch wins out, but i emphatically disagree on the concept that digging in is "bad" technique. Not being able to play more loudly is just as much of a dynamics issue as not being able to play more softly.

Ignoring one part of your development is an aspect of this discussion.
I could say all this compressor use is avoiding learning to play consistently. I have played people’s pre, eq, compressor/limiter, post gain settings that it wouldn’t matter if a you hit your bass with a belt or a moth landed on it. Sounds the same.

 

[bassliner50]

I usually practice with an older Fender Rumble 15. Its enough. In fact it sounds good.

 

[cnltb]

How Many Practice Electric Bass Unplugged?
I don't and consider it a bad idea.

 

[chadds]

Wait! You mean solo practice? Because when my two guitarists use 1/2 stacks at band practice I then will plug in.