How to practice bass when you can't play?

[mysterial]

Long story short, I went a little too hard in a jam session last night and I busted both of my fingers and have a couple of blisters on my fretting fingers, so basically playing any song proficiently is impossible. I have a gig coming up in some time (I'm sure they'll be healed by then) but I would really like to practice the setlist. What can I do to improve my bass technique and get down some of the rhythms/melodies without playing my bass?

 

[Lobster11]

Long story short, I went a little too hard in a jam session last night and I busted both of my fingers and have a couple of blisters on my fretting fingers, so basically playing any song proficiently is impossible. I have a gig coming up in some time (I'm sure they'll be healed by then) but I would really like to practice the setlist. What can I do to improve my bass technique and get down some of the rhythms/melodies without playing my bass?

You need to let your fingers heal, but I think you can get 90% prepared simply by listening to the songs you need to learn repeatedly and visualizing playing the bass lines. If you can get to the point where you can "hear" and "feel" your parts in the songs, you probably won't have any trouble executing them when the time comes.

For future reference: (1) Learn to pluck more softly (turn up the amp!) to avoid blisters and (2) learn to play with a pick so you have a second option when needed.

 

[mambo4]

What can I do to improve my bass technique and get down some of the rhythms/melodies without playing my bass?

Transcribe and create your own charts for the material.

 

[Bob_Ross]

visualizing playing the bass lines

^^^This. When I can't sit down with a bass in my hands to work stuff out I spend a lot of time imagining what my hands/fingers/brain would do if I did have a bass in my hands...it's an incredibly valuable form of practice.