Traveling doesn’t mean you have to pause your guitar practice. With a bit of planning and the right approach, you can keep improving your skills, even on the road. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of your practice time while traveling.
1. Invest in a Travel Guitar
A compact, lightweight travel guitar can be a game-changer. These guitars are specifically designed to be portable and can fit in overhead compartments on planes or in the trunk of a car. Some are even foldable or detachable for added convenience, while still providing a decent sound for practice.
Recommendation: The Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light is compact, easy to carry, and provides a satisfying playing experience despite its small size.
2. Use a Headphone Amplifier
A headphone amplifier allows you to plug in and practice silently, perfect for late-night practice in hotels or other shared spaces. These small gadgets provide amp-like sound through your headphones, often with built-in effects like distortion, reverb, and delay.
Recommendation: The VOX Amplug 2 is a popular choice, offering various models for different genres (e.g., blues, classic rock). It’s pocket-sized and gives you the sound of a full amp without disturbing anyone around you.
3. Focus on Finger Exercises
If carrying a guitar is not an option, finger exercises are a great way to keep your fingers agile and ready for playing. Simple exercises like finger stretches, finger rolls, and “spider” exercises can help maintain your dexterity and strength.
Tip: Bring a Gripmaster or similar hand exerciser to strengthen your fingers when a guitar isn’t available. It’s a useful tool for keeping your hands in shape on long travel days.
4. Use a Guitar Practice App
Practice apps are fantastic for travelers, as they offer virtual fretboards, metronomes, and even interactive lessons. Apps like Yousician and Fender Play can help you learn new songs, scales, and techniques with visual aids and interactive features. These apps allow you to practice without needing an actual guitar, perfect for tight spaces.
Recommendation: Download a few different apps to try, as each offers unique features. Ultimate Guitar is also great for accessing song tabs and practicing chord changes.
5. Master Scales and Theory Mentally
Travel downtime can be a great opportunity to improve your understanding of music theory and scales. Use time on a plane or train to practice visualizing scales, chords, and key changes. Try memorizing patterns and fretboard positions in your mind, which will make it easier to apply these concepts when you pick up your guitar again.
Tip: Bring a notebook to jot down scales, modes, or chord progressions. Revisit them when you have a guitar in hand to reinforce what you learned mentally.
6. Bring a Portable, Foldable Guitar Stand
If you’re staying somewhere for a few days, a portable guitar stand keeps your guitar safe and easily accessible, encouraging you to pick it up more often. A stand can also protect your guitar from accidental damage in unfamiliar spaces.
Recommendation: The K&M 17550 Memphis Travel Stand is foldable and compact, perfect for trips where you want to keep your guitar within reach.
7. Use Online Backing Tracks
Backing tracks are a great way to keep things interesting while practicing solo. Websites like YouTube and Backing Tracks Pro offer a wide selection of tracks in various genres and keys, allowing you to practice improvisation and timing even when you’re far from home.
Tip: Download a few backing tracks on your phone or tablet before leaving. That way, you have practice material even if you’re offline.
8. Pack a Tuner and Metronome App
Accuracy and timing are essential, especially if you’re practicing in a new environment. While many apps offer built-in tuners and metronomes, having a dedicated tuner and metronome app is convenient for quickly checking your tuning and keeping you on beat.
Recommendation: The GuitarTuna app is a highly-rated tuner with a metronome feature, and it’s portable and user-friendly for traveling musicians.
9. Set Small, Achievable Goals
When you’re on the move, it can be challenging to stick to a structured practice routine. Setting small, achievable goals can help you stay motivated and make the most of shorter practice sessions. Focus on one skill at a time, like perfecting a song, mastering a specific scale, or practicing fingerpicking.
Tip: Set a daily goal, like practicing scales for 15 minutes or learning one song section. These small achievements will keep you engaged and build momentum.
10. Learn New Songs by Ear
If you find yourself without a guitar, use the time to strengthen your ear training. Listen to songs and try to identify the chords, melody, and key by ear. Ear training is a valuable skill that can make you a more versatile musician, and it’s easy to do anywhere.
Tip: Use an app like EarMaster to practice identifying intervals and chords by ear. You can continue practicing with it even after you’re back with your guitar.
Final Thoughts
Traveling doesn’t have to interrupt your guitar practice. With portable gear, a bit of planning, and some creative exercises, you can continue to grow as a guitarist wherever you are. These tips and tools make it easy to keep up with your music, even if you’re halfway across the world. So, pack your guitar, download a few apps, and get ready to practice on the road!