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How do you guys deal with practice when you are at a hotel? Im going to an all inclusive in Mexico next year, I plan to bring a cheaper guitar though not sure where I can practice it. If I practice on the beach, wouldn't that be a little weird and distracting with people staring at me? In concerned the the sound will carry in the hotel room, though im sure the hotel is concrete given its Mexico so it may not be bad.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
If practicing in the hotel just put a little foam damper underneath the strings right at the bridge. You can still practice technique but you only get a "thonk" on the string and not real volume, projection, or sustain.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to tri7/5)
Really good point, I can do that. Can I go ten days like this? lol. What about those sound hole fillers? it probably would not work aswell but sort of happy medium that does not change the feel of the strings.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
I used a hole filler for a while on my old cheap Cordoba f7. Gotcha is that on a better guitar there isn't the string clearance to get it in between strings and top of guitar. Also not as much sound reduced as you might think, though there is some.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to mrstwinkle)
I have the F7 paco as my travel guitar, though I will not being bringing it to Mexico as it's still cost me $800 Cad, its too expensive take to a humid climate, especially if I decide to play on the beach. I have a cheaper Cordoba classical guitar with a lower bridge and tap plate, I'll likely bring this. Once you put on a capo the strings make less difference, I always use a capo either on the 1st or 2nd fret depending on what im playing anyways. Yes of course I could just play on the beach and not give a crap what others think aswell, I may even have a few coins dropped in my case, lol. I imagine the ocean will drown out most of the guitar anyways.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Playing in the room for 30 minutes during the day probably wont be a big deal. Playing on the beach might be fun. What about sun beating down on it...do you have to worry about cracking / warping? Possibly get a beach umbrella ...🏝
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
quote:
What about those sound hole fillers?
The sound isn't just coming from the hole, the whole front and back vibrates so the hole pluggers are not as effective as simply using a sponge under the strings at the bridge.
Posts: 1762
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
If you go to a place in a park or a hiking path where no people are staying, but only walking by, you do not bother anyone. They do not have to be there and can walk away. So the people that stands and listen like to do that. Close your trunk, no hat on the floor, so you do not get problems with the authorities. In hotel rooms, there is nobody in the rooms at 1100 hours, only the cleaning lady. Practice than and leave a tip when you go home. Enjoy playing in the open air! It is another experience, also practice for people will benefit you.
Posts: 6441
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Music is everywhere in Mexico, so you will be competing with Banda and Mariachi. The sound will not travel very far on the beach. In the hotel it should be fine, but golpes may travel a bit.
Posts: 15318
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
The guitar is one of the quietest instruments made by man. You have to pound hard rumbas for it to be heard at all. Two people talking in a hotel room is way louder. People will stop and stare and get close if you are outside because they can’t actually hear what you are doing and need to see you up close to find out. Imagine a crowd gathers around you and starts talking. You won’t even be able to hear yourself.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
Only ten days?
May I suggest a rest from playing? Your hands and arm muscles will thank you your mind too. You will return invigorated and ready to take your playing to the next level!
I just left home to my cabin for two weeks and I agonized over bringing mine or doing without… I do have have a strat here and a small amp, might just make some noise with a pick ;)
HR
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I prefer my flamenco guitar spicy, doesn't have to be fast, should have some meat on the bones, can be raw or well done, as long as it doesn't sound like it's turning green on an elevator floor.
RE: Traveling with your Guitar (in reply to trivium91)
quote:
How do you guys deal with practice when you are at a hotel?
Does the hotel have a fitness room? That's where I always go. Nobody's working out late at night, and it's usually not adjacent to any hotel rooms; so, you can be as loud as you want.