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Post by roly on Jan 7, 2022 4:41:24 GMT -5
Ever practice with your eyes closed?
cheers
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Post by ninworks on Jan 7, 2022 5:02:50 GMT -5
I do that occasionally but usually just don't look at the fingerboard. It helps me to mentally visualize patterns as they crop up.
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mikem
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Posts: 231
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Post by mikem on Jan 7, 2022 8:28:34 GMT -5
When I practice improvisation I close my eyes...
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bassngtr
Wholenote
I am all about the bass...
Posts: 147
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Post by bassngtr on Jan 7, 2022 12:13:35 GMT -5
LOL I never have done this nor thought to do it. BUT when playing a gig or at church I play/sing with my eyes closed a lot.
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Post by tahitijack on Jan 8, 2022 11:54:22 GMT -5
Not exactly. I'm learning to play keys and as I read the lead sheet of a song my hands are starting to play the notes and chords automatically. Yes, I still glance down, but with time I'm less relient on constantly looking at the keyboard.
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mroulier
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Chemo'd and Radiated!
Posts: 155
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Post by mroulier on Jan 17, 2022 17:09:04 GMT -5
At our most recent Halloween gig I had the full Grim Reaper Outfit and a "Bauta-style" black mask from the band Ghost. The "Nameless Ghouls" wore black ones then moved to the silvery "Satyr" ones after the 'Meliora' album. ANYWAYS!  I decided I needed to remain perfectly still as the "Reaper", so keeping my head up was paramount for that. I managed to get thru almost all of the first set without looking down. I did hit some wonky notes on the beginning bass riff for "American Girl" and had to look, but aside from that, it was a cool experiment! And after looking at pictures of the next gig I realized I was looking down way too much, so it's a focus for me at practice now. Picture here on FB: Hope this works! |
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Post by windmill on Jan 17, 2022 17:30:50 GMT -5
No Bit it is an interesting concept.  |
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Post by themaestro on Jan 17, 2022 19:14:51 GMT -5
Sometimes.
Something I do sometimes when rehearsing songs I am familiar with: My computer & bass is plugged into an audio interface. The TV is turned on and closed-captioning is turned on. I play along with the recording while following the dialog text on the TV. It helps be to be able to play in "auto mode", which comes in handy at a gig when something distracting is going on. (Attractive dancers??)
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Grizbear-NJ
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Age: 71
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Post by Grizbear-NJ on Jan 18, 2022 22:47:43 GMT -5
Interesting question: Again full disclosure, I'm a drummer, so my methodology and reasoning will be different. If I am doing an independent practice; I will either be reading a piece, or using headphones. When using headphones, there are always enough distractions, that I may as well keep my eyes closed. Either way, I need to be able to utilize "muscle memory" and, the knowledge of the exact placement of each drum/cymbal to play. Truth be told, I still miss every now & then.
In a live setting (band gig or a show pit), there are always enough distractions to justify practicing with your eyes closed. You will have other musicians to coordinate certain aspects of the music, and there is always the "Musical Director" to deal with. When playing live, it's important to keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Things have a way of happening real fast in live situations, that you have to react to without thinking.
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gbfun
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Post by gbfun on Jan 19, 2022 5:50:27 GMT -5
Yep. Whenever I forget my glasses...
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 25, 2022 17:10:12 GMT -5
Sometimes. Sometimes with the lights out.
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Post by jazzguy on Feb 21, 2022 17:50:14 GMT -5
no, but on gigs my eyes are closed 90% of the time, which means I'm missing out on the pretty women while staring at the insides of my eyelids
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Post by hushnel on Feb 23, 2022 11:43:34 GMT -5
Not so much, occasionally I check were I am, particularly when I can’t hear my bass,it’s not usually a problem, I do, at times, move around quite a bit. It’s easier to play guitar with out looking than the bass. I’m always going between different bass scale lengths 34”, 32”. 30” and 20”,tu half of them are fretless. It takes a little time to acclimate to the scale. I don’t have to look at the fretboard when playing the guitar
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Post by reverendrob on Mar 5, 2022 3:08:36 GMT -5
Most of the time, including when I did live shows.
My "proximity sense" for people is very good - even when on autopilot in those moments.
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Post by rickyguitar on Mar 11, 2022 15:47:13 GMT -5
I do not have that proximity sense. Bass players nose collided with the head of my LP once. Guitar did not go out of tune. Broke his nose. I was looking the other way. I looked to see what happened and he had already moved away. Last song if the set. I did not know what happened till I saw him crouched in front of his amp holding his nose. 1st nite of 14 nites out as I recall. Sorry Mike.
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Jim622
Halfnote
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Age: 58
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Post by Jim622 on Mar 11, 2022 19:11:02 GMT -5
I do not have that proximity sense. Bass players nose collided with the head of my LP once. Guitar did not go out of tune. Broke his nose. I was looking the other way. I looked to see what happened and he had already moved away. Last song if the set. I did not know what happened till I saw him crouched in front of his amp holding his nose. 1st nite of 14 nites out as I recall. Sorry Mike. I cant believe a LP didn't go out of tune, a Tele, I wouldn't blink. |
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