Sean Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I'm off on a trip to South Africa for a week and then there's a few more week-long trips planned over the coming months but I've decided after much umming and ahhing to not buy a headless/bodyless bass (Hohner/Steinberger thingy). What stuff can I do without my bass while I'm away? One thing I thought of was to take my little metronome and some sheet music and play the rhythms along to the clicks. Does anyone have any tips for what they do when they haven't got their bass with them for long periods? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 if you have a laptop use guitar pro It has everything in metronome notes drums write the music you want and sing with it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adee Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) You could always buy one of my Special 'Air' Basses Very lightweight, packs away into nothing and sounds as good as it looks . . . to you only £100 very reasonable too I think ! I take Paypal Edited October 10, 2008 by Adee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 If you play mainly covers, try spending the week listening - REALLY listening - to your favourite tracks, and checking out what the original bassist actually plays. Chances are it'll be slightly different from what you remember and what you've been playing. If you play originals, then listen "cold" to your own basslines and spend the week working out better, or at least alternative, basslines. For that exercise, humming them is just as good as playing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) South Africa eh? You sure you want to carry a Steinberger? Steiny case: Rifle case I think I'd work on my reading and listening skills ..... Edited October 10, 2008 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 Cheers for the ideas. Everything we've been told about South Africa is negative and everyone tells horror stories so I'm not really looking forward to it much. I think I'll be stuck in the hotel quite a bit watching Ashes to Ashes and Life On Mars on my iPod. I've just found some books on Amazon that might pass the time while I'm away... [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastery-Music-Keys-Musical-Excellence/dp/1405000090/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1H13LWETA2TRX&colid=3C5R8UVG50XGC"]Amazon[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='Sean' post='303870' date='Oct 10 2008, 02:16 PM']Everything we've been told about South Africa is negative and everyone tells horror stories so I'm not really looking forward to it much. I think I'll be stuck in the hotel quite a bit watching Ashes to Ashes and Life On Mars on my iPod.[/quote] everything you've heard is true... even the hotel bar isn't safe... [url="http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2215070,00.html"]http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/...2215070,00.html[/url] [url="http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2203225,00.html"]http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/...2203225,00.html[/url] [url="http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=nw20081004141351671C262747&click_id=13&set_id=1"]http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=nw20...13&set_id=1[/url] the last one was this week... makes you think when the locals check their guns in at the entrance to the Montecasino shopping center in Jo'berg... and the security staff have an armed squad on immediate readiness... ps, the Montecasino place is great... plenty of bars, live entertainment, open late... but when your driving about, you must lock the doors from the inside and put the windows up... and be prepared to floor it at stop junctions as they can be popular hold-up spots... if you see the second of the two signs, then worry... a holdup gang could be waiting to pounce [url="http://anamericaninpretoria.blogspot.com/2007/12/south-african-road-signs.html"]http://anamericaninpretoria.blogspot.com/2...road-signs.html[/url] [url="http://www.haasje.com/images/20041014_za_hotspot.jpg"]http://www.haasje.com/images/20041014_za_hotspot.jpg[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 How about one of those silent basses, don't they fold away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='303935' date='Oct 10 2008, 03:18 PM']How about one of those silent basses, don't they fold away?[/quote] Adee's air basses do, well more roll than fold. Then you have to inflate them, of course, before playing smoke on the water or Sons and Daughters ... Bit frustrating if it comes on the radio and you want to join in ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='303943' date='Oct 10 2008, 03:25 PM']Adee's air basses do, well more roll than fold. Then you have to inflate them, of course, before playing smoke on the water or Sons and Daughters ... Bit frustrating if it comes on the radio and you want to join in ...[/quote] Haha I was thinking about one of these jobbys you could buy it go away with it then sell it when you get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Sean - visit loads of guitar shops while you're out there. Works for me when I travel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuseMatt Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 buy a cheap 50 pound bass and bring it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 just don't play bass for a week??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='LukeFRC' post='303967' date='Oct 10 2008, 03:44 PM']just don't play bass for a week???[/quote] Wot's he talkin' about? Anyone know wot he's talkin' about? I dunno wot he's talkin' about... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='LukeFRC' post='303967' date='Oct 10 2008, 03:44 PM']just don't play bass for a week???[/quote] That's never going to happen! Maybe you can get patches like for smokers trying to give up. It's an idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I'm always away with work and i've got the Aria Sinsonido bass. It's pretty lightweight, breaks down to basically a fretboard and headphones plug straight into it. I use the Line 6 guitar port thing too and think it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Also, if you've got a Mac, then try the phobia bundle: [url="http://www.majorthird.com/"]http://www.majorthird.com/[/url] It's great for honing your listening skills etc if you don't have your axe with you, and a steal for it's price too. Great product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='Adee' post='303783' date='Oct 10 2008, 12:44 PM']You could always buy one of my Special 'Air' Basses Very lightweight, packs away into nothing and sounds as good as it looks . . . to you only £100 very reasonable too I think ! I take Paypal[/quote] im intrigued, links or info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grosa Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='Sean' post='303870' date='Oct 10 2008, 02:16 PM']Cheers for the ideas. Everything we've been told about South Africa is negative and everyone tells horror stories so I'm not really looking forward to it much.[/quote]i've not long been back from that shithole. never get arrested there. port elizabeth is nice to be fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 10, 2008 Author Share Posted October 10, 2008 [quote name='bluesparky' post='304134' date='Oct 10 2008, 07:21 PM']I'm always away with work and i've got the Aria Sinsonido bass. It's pretty lightweight, breaks down to basically a fretboard and headphones plug straight into it. I use the Line 6 guitar port thing too and think it's great.[/quote] Do you take this on the plane as hand luggage or in a suitcase or what? I saw one go on ebay last week for £220 and was contemplating but know nothing of them. I've got an 24' iMac so it's a bit difficult taking it with me but I'm going to check out those Phobia programs, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timloudon Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 This is a good website for rhythmic reading skills. [url="http://www.rhythmpatterns.com/"]http://www.rhythmpatterns.com/[/url] Also, if you're taking a laptop and can use a program (or if you've got a mac, a piano widget) and do some transcription of some songs without your bass. This is always invaluable. It'll force you to try and imagine what's going on in the bass line and will help to make it easier to pick up songs. Enjoy the stay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Try sight singing - learning to read music without an instrument and using your voice. Its hard but you can get skills that will make you the most employable bloke in Gloucester (!!??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 [quote name='Sean' post='304154' date='Oct 10 2008, 08:14 PM']Do you take this on the plane as hand luggage or in a suitcase or what? I saw one go on ebay last week for £220 and was contemplating but know nothing of them.[/quote] I take it in it's own padded case which comes with it. It's a bit long, basically the same size as a normal bass in length, but it is considerably narrower so some airlines - especially the budget ones, tend to fuss about it. but if you ask nicely they're usually ok. I like it, it's simple and does the job, it obviously hasn't got the best sound in the world, but as a tool for a fretboard work out, it does the job perfectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcdrewson Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Our lead guitarist often wonders how I practise without taking my bass home. It may sound weird, but I can practise (to an extent) in my head. That's what I tell him, anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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