This article is written by Toru Hoshino, a jazz bassist and instructor based in Japan who teaches online lessons to students worldwide. In this article, he recommends seven practice gadgets worth trying when you need a change of pace.
Contents
1. A Ukulele Bass
The first time I saw one of these, I thought “wait, this exists?” It’s a compact bass with an acoustic-style build — perfect when you want to play quietly and casually. Affordable too, and great for quick practice sessions or just changing things up.
2. “CamScanner” for Organizing Sheet Music
If your sheet music pile is getting out of control, this is for you. It lets you manage all your paper sheet music from your phone or iPad in one place. It’s free, so if you use a tablet, it’s worth trying.
3. “Bag on Bag”
An add-on bag that clips onto your gig bag in one motion. Handy for carrying a change of clothes or small items for the studio without extra hassle.
4. Headphone Covers
These protect the headphones you use for practice, helping prevent the foam from cracking and extending their life.
5. String Cleaner: “String Life”
A cleaner you apply to your strings to slow down their degradation. With string prices on the rise, this is a great way to keep your tone fresh without burning through cash.
6. A Bass Wall Mount
A wall mount you can install with just a couple of screws to hang your bass up. Works fine in a rental apartment too, and it’s sturdy.
A Rain Cover for Your Bass
Stay worry-free even in the rain — this is a dedicated rain cover that goes over your whole case. It protects your case from rain and humidity, making it a solid ally when you’re transporting a bass you care about. Great for biking or walking to lessons or rehearsal without worrying about getting soaked.
- Highly water-resistant, protects your case fully
- Folds up small for easy carrying
- Great for biking or walking
That’s seven practice gadgets worth trying when you want a little change of pace. Add a bit of variety to your daily routine and keep things fun.
Gadgets like these make practice more enjoyable — but real progress comes from someone who can tell you exactly what to work on next.
Want Personalized Feedback on Your Playing?
This is exactly the kind of thing that’s hard to fix alone — and where having a teacher makes all the difference.
At Line on Bass, I offer an online lesson service where you send me a video of your playing, and I give you specific, detailed feedback — every single day if you want.
Students from around the world are using this to fix exactly these kinds of issues and steadily improve their jazz bass skills.