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Double Bass How to prepare without a bass`

I'm traveling for two months without my bass, but a week after I return I have two large auditions. Of course there will be inhuman amounts of woodsheding when I return, but is there anything that I can do to help prepare myself while away? My apologies if this is in the wrong place.
Thanks in advance talkbass! Adam
 
I've actually been working more and more away from my bass. Albeit, I'm home, just with my 6 month old son and can't get much time on the instrument.

What's been working for me is visualization and singing/ear training. Bring the scores for the pieces you're working on as well as recordings. Then, in your mind (even with some performance movements) play the music in your mind. I've worked on everything from basic memorization to phrasing to intonation this way. The physical side of playing has gotten a lot easier for me since I've been working this way.
 
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As well as Brad's good advice above there are perhaps a few more physical and mental offerings. One is to hold your right forearm vertically if front of you as a "bass neck" to help with visualising fingerings or shifts (or a broomstick?) Another is to drum your LH fingertips on a flat surface as though you are playing the piano, using different finger patterns (eg 1234, 1324, 4321 etc) and different rythms (eg even, dottted, reverse dotted) to strengthen control over your fingers. You can mime the bowings with your RH and arm as you hum or sing the part. Find a way to maintain your calluses. Exercise your LH fingers by curling and straightening each against some back pressure from the RH thumb. Also opening and closing your hands from gentle fists to fingers straight to exercise your fortearm muscles. Go for long walks to keep fit. Do you know a form of simple meditation to help steady your mind? Visualise the days of the auditions including what it will feel like to play really well (and perhaps how you will cope if something goes wrong)

Did you take your music with you? Are you stopping in any one place long enough to find a bass to spend some time on? Where are you now in the world and where are you going?

When you get home work to a plan. If any of your pieces needs piano accompaniment organise your first rehearsal ASAP, no matter how under prepared you feel. This should help you identify the passages that need the most work. Pace yourself carefully, getting good sleep, diet and exercise. Play for anyone who will listen to you, especially your family and friends. Take regular breaks in your practice and go outside for some fresh air or a walk to clear your head. Find a larger space to do some practice in so that you are prepared to fill this space with sound on the day, not just your bedroom at home.

You may not want to hear this particular advice but if the auditions are that important would you consider going home early?

Best wishes, DP
 
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Thank you both so much for your advice! I'm currently in Salzburg, but cannot find a bass even to fiddle with. I'm doing a two month backpacking trip between high school and college, so returning early would cost the extra plane ticket. Do you have a suggestion as to how one can maintain calluses? I'll start with all of these exercises!
 
This is off the top of my head as I have never tried to do this away from the bass. The hardening and thickening comes from pressing and shifting on the strings. It can be sped up (but maintained?) by dabbing denatured alcohol (we call it methylated spirits here) on your pads. What I envisage is finding something round and slightly rough like a large as possible galvanised nail, or a strong twig, or a thin strong piece of dowel, or a pencil that you can rough up.
Something simulating a thick string that you hold between your finger pads and opposing thumb and move up and down as you press. Or a bass string that you could stretch out on a bench top and run your pads along as you rest on it firmly with pianist-shaped fingers and simulate pressing and shifting. Try to find a geigenbaumeister shop and ask for an old string even if it is gut. There is usually at least one in every town in Europe.

Another thing that really dries out my skin is handling lots of paper. It really wrecks my page turning in orchestra though!!

Best wishes, DP
 
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Just enjoy the backpacking trip and stop worrying. You'll get back in shape the best you can when you get home. I cancelled a trip and lost a lot of money to take an audition a few years ago. It's a commitment you either make or not. Hopefully next time you'll have more notice. Good luck.
 
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