Do You Play Your Bass Between Gigs?

[Pete Academy]

I do about two gigs a month. However, I find I can't be arsed to play my bass between gigs. I sell basses for my day job, so that doesn't help.

Anyone else have this problem?

[Jambo10]

If I haven't picked up a bass for 4-5 days I practice furiously, before I forget what to do with the damned thing!

But, a wee play around on it for an hour or so every couple of days is about the norm for me between gigs.

[ahpook]

nope, play every day.

do the whole covers band set every two days or so, even if we've not got gigs.

and work on originals stuff when the inspiration strikes.


but i know what you mean about not wanting to repeat your work duties out of hours - i used to be a librarian and i read maybe 4 books a year.

Edited October 29, 2012 by ahpook

[JTUK]

yep... always.

[Leen2112]

Christ, I'd never manage with the crazy riffs my guitarist sends me if I didnt practise everyday!

As I've mentioned in another thread, I remember Gary Moore saying If you walk into a room where you keep your guitar and not feel the need to pick it up, then maybe it's not for you.

[Doddy]

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1351546640' post='1852545']
do the whole covers band set every two days or so, even if we've not got gigs.
[/quote]

I couldn't do that....I also don't really see the point if you are already playing the set regularly.

I play most days,usual something that I can't play already...be it new songs or exercises or whatever. I'll sometimes
step back and relearn something that I've not played for a long time,but I always try to do something different.
Of course there have been times after busy periods where I want to get away from the instrument for a few days,so I
won't play much,just enough to keep my hands working,but generally I'll pick the bass up everyday for a bit.

[Les]

No, the only time I play it between gigs is when I'm learning something or we're rehearsing.

Play guitar almost every day though.

[phil.i.stein]

being in an 'originals' band, means you rarely get gigs, but still practise most evenings.

try it, it's mindbending.

[chris_b]

[quote name='Pete Academy' timestamp='1351545642' post='1852527']
....I do about two gigs a month....
[/quote]

I do at least 2 gigs a week, so unless I'm running through new numbers the bass stays in the case.

[Wolverinebass]

I play every day rotating between basses. I love playing too much to not do it every day.

[xilddx]

Rarely, unless I'm recording, learning a new song, or setting up new patches. I never practice unless it's necessary to nail a song.

[arthurhenry]

I play every day. Even if my next gig is at a crummy dive of a pub, I want to be in good shape. Self esteem.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Leen2112' timestamp='1351547123' post='1852553']
Christ, I'd never manage with the crazy riffs my guitarist sends me if I didnt practise everyday!

As I've mentioned in another thread, I remember Gary Moore saying If you walk into a room where you keep your guitar and not feel the need to pick it up, then maybe it's not for you.
[/quote]

Gary talked a lot of bollocks.

[Johngh]

Since I left my last band about 2 months ago, I havn't really played at all. just got totally hacked off with the whole thing. Trying to find a new decent band and dealing with the normal constant stream of idiots, dreamers and timewasters don't help.

But hey, there's light at the end of the tunnel, got a try out with a new band tomorrow night, so hoping it goes well.

May even get me wanting to start playing between gigs again.

[El Bajo]

I have 2 bands a full time time job and a 3 year old. Most of the time by the end of the day I'm pissed off and just want to flake out on the sofa so nah not much. Maybe about 3 hours a week if I'm lucky. Having said that I do have periods where I'm really inspired and can't put the thing down but then have weeks where I just can't be bothered.

[bigjohn]

I go in phases. I've we're rehearsing or gigging every week I sometimes never take my bass out of the case except for at the studio, sometimes I practice every day and take that practice into the studio.

When we're not, sometimes though I play every day. Something new, something old... whatever. Sometimes I see an exercise I'd like to try and that makes me play more. Sometimes I decide to play a line slightly differently so I practice that.

Sometimes I can't be bothered. Like everything else

[silverfoxnik]

I'd play every day if I could, but I never have enough time for that to happen...

When I do have time, I really like playing along to a groove on a drum machine, as loudly as possible.. but that seems to annoy other people around me for some strange reason

[3below]

Gigs, what are those lol, if I could get my band all in same room at same time I might consider playing my bass. Seriously though, when I played 2 / 3 nights per week, most weeks of year (long time ago) I never picked the thing up otherwise. These days I dabble now and then, bit Gary Moore like lol, when I see the pile in other room.

[4 Strings]

I'm in the fortunate position where I'm covering a lot of new stuff all the time so, for me, practice is 3-4 times a week to nail new material. Got a lot coming up, will be trying to do practice every ay for the coming couple of weeks. I won't be able to for practical reasons, but I'll need to be dong an awful lot.

[risingson]

Time is usually an issue plus my bass is usually in our studio or elsewhere, but yes I absolutely love playing at home between gigging.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='phil.i.stein' timestamp='1351547534' post='1852566']
being in an 'originals' band, means you rarely get gigs...
[/quote]

I don't understand this statement.

For me it depends, but I probably pick up and play some musical instrument for at least 5 minutes every day.

[Truckstop]

Well at the moment I'm gigging twice a week and rehearsing once a week too so not at the moment as all the material I need to know is well and truly learned by now!

During the after Xmas lull I'll be practicing new songs and teaching myself new sh*t along the way to keep it all interesting.

Truckstop

Truckstop

[paul_5]

I'd like to play every day, but with two little 'uns and all the rest of it I find that I've got very little time to [i]properly[/i] play - exercises, stretching my abilities and technique. I used to do loads of playing, whether I was gigging or not, but just for the minute I've got other priorities.

[shizznit]

I have to teach and record jobs inbetween gigs, so I don't get much rest. However, I do try to give myself at least one day off a week or two days back to back and leave the basses in their cases so I can switch off. It's my job, so I try to give myself some normality as if I was doing any other job. Okay, it rarely happens, but I do try.

But, even though I am frequently playing I struggle to find the time to study and practice myself because all of my time and energy is going into doing other things. When I do find the time it's hard to turn down friends and family invitations to do social stuff by saying "nah...sorry. I need to grab a bass tonight and practice my arpeggios!". That excuse doesn't go down well!

Edited October 29, 2012 by shizznit

[MrTaff]

I play everyday, even if it's just 1/2 hour playing along with itunes.