Traveling For Work? Learn Guitar On The Go!

Learning to play the guitar while travelling for work can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

- Invest in a travel guitar. There are various options available, from ultra-portable acoustic guitars to electric guitars. Consider the weight, sound, and your comfort when choosing a travel guitar.

- If you're concerned about disturbing others, use headphones or get a silent guitar. You can also look into acoustic guitar silencers and feedback suppressors to reduce the volume.

- Pack only the essentials. Bring a mini amp, guitar cable, and other necessary accessories, especially if you're travelling light or with family.

- Utilise technology: plug your guitar into your laptop or smartphone, use amp sims, and take advantage of guitar apps for learning chords, scales, and ear training.

- Be open to different learning methods: listen to new music, watch YouTube videos for techniques, read instructional books, and find relevant podcasts.

- Visit music stores at your destination to try out different guitars, amps, and pedals.

- If you're unable to bring a guitar, there are still ways to practice. Mentally envision playing a piece of music, work on memorizing chords and scales, and study music theory.

Get a travel guitar

If you're travelling for work, it can be hard to keep up with your guitar practice. One of the biggest challenges is the impracticality of travelling with a full-size guitar. A great solution is to invest in a travel guitar.

There are a few options when it comes to travel guitars. On the one hand, you could opt for an ultra-portable model like the Traveler Acoustic Ultra Light Guitar. This type of guitar doesn't play or sound like a typical guitar, but it's extremely compact. These guitars are also usually very quiet, so you can practice in your hotel room without disturbing anyone. If you want more volume, you can always plug it into a small amp or use a headphone amp. Some models even come with built-in headphone amps.

On the other hand, you could go for a more standard-sized option, such as a parlor guitar or a travel-sized guitar like the Taylor GS Mini. If you're an electric guitar player, consider getting a hollow or chambered instrument to cut down on weight.

Another option is a collapsible or folding guitar. These guitars can be easily transported and assembled, and often come with a travel case or backpack. For example, the Overhead™ Collapsible Acoustic Travel Guitar from Journey Instruments features a patented detachable neck system and collapses to carry-on size, while the Voyage Air guitar is a full-size acoustic that folds in half and comes with a backpack-style case.

Travel guitars are a fantastic way to ensure you can practice wherever your work takes you, without the hassle and worry of travelling with a full-size instrument.

Play with headphones

Playing the guitar with headphones is a great way to practice without disturbing others. There are several ways to do this, and we will go over some of the most popular methods.

The first method is to plug your headphones directly into an amplifier. Most modern amps have a headphone jack, but you need to ensure it is the correct output. Look for the “line out” output, as this is where the headphones should be plugged in. If your amp has a 6.35-mm output, you will need a 6.35-mm to 3.5-mm adapter to connect your headphones. When plugging in your headphones, remember to turn the master volume down first to avoid any sudden loud noises.

Another option is to use a multi-effects pedal. These pedals modify the audio input from your guitar, allowing you to add various effects and amp-like tones. Many modern multi-effects pedals have a “line out” output specifically for headphones. Some recommended pedals include the Line 6 HX Stomp and the Orange Terror Stomp, both of which are compact and portable.

If you are looking for an even more portable solution, consider using a micro-amp. These tiny amps can fit in your pocket or gig bag and are perfect for travel. They usually have a 3.5-mm output for headphones or speakers. The VOX amPlug 2 is a popular choice, offering different models for various genres, including classic rock, metal, and blues. While micro-amps may not provide the same “amp tone” as a larger amp, they are excellent for practice sessions and can be used with headphones.

For those who want to connect their guitar to a computer or smartphone, an audio interface is the way to go. This setup allows you to record, process, and produce music. Popular audio interfaces for Mac or PC include the Focusrite Scarlett Solo and the Behringer UM2, both of which offer a “phones” output for headphones. If you are using an iPhone or iPad, the iRig 2 is a good choice, as it connects to various DAWs like GarageBand and JamUp. For Android users, the iRig UA is a similar option that works with devices running Android Lollipop or higher.

While it is not recommended due to latency issues, it is technically possible to connect your guitar to Bluetooth headphones. The Boss Waza-Air headphones are designed for this purpose, using augmented reality to track your head movements and simulate the sound of a virtual amp.

In conclusion, there are several ways to play the guitar with headphones while travelling. Whether you choose to use an amplifier, a multi-effects pedal, a micro-amp, or an audio interface, you can practice quietly and conveniently without disturbing others.

Plug the guitar into your laptop

If you want to plug your guitar into your laptop, you'll need to purchase the correct cable or adapter. While the average guitar cable has a 1/4" phone jack on each end, the audio-in port on your laptop requires a 1/8" stereo plug. You can either buy a guitar cable with a 1/4" phone jack on one end and a 1/8" stereo plug on the other, or you can buy a 1/8" stereo plug adapter to use with your standard guitar cable.

Your laptop's audio-in port may require a stereo plug with a TS (Tip/Sleeve) or TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) connection. If you're unsure which one your laptop needs, check your laptop's manual.

Once you have the correct cable or adapter, simply plug your guitar into your laptop and you're good to go! You can then listen to your guitar through your laptop's speakers, or connect a pair of external speakers or headphones to your laptop's audio-out port if you prefer.

If you're unsatisfied with the strength of the signal, you can enhance it with a pre-amp. Pre-amplification is the first stage of amplification, and these devices will boost your guitar's signal. You can buy a pre-amp specifically designed for guitars, or you may already have guitar accessories that come equipped with pre-amps, such as amp-modelers, pedals, drum machines, and direct boxes. Simply connect your guitar to the pre-amp, and then connect the pre-amp to your laptop using a 1/8" stereo cable.

If you want the best results, you can bypass the analog connection entirely and connect your guitar to your laptop digitally via a pre-amp with a USB or Firewire output port. Again, simply connect your guitar to the pre-amp, and then connect the pre-amp to your laptop using a USB, Firewire, or Optical cable. This method will give you the crispest and clearest recordings.

Get a multi-effects pedal

If you're looking to get serious about your guitar playing, investing in a multi-effects pedal is a great idea. These pedals are a fantastic way to condense your entire rig and effects into one handy module, and they're perfect for travelling with.

Line 6 Helix

The Line 6 Helix is a stalwart of the multi-effects pedal world. It's a powerful option, with the ability to run 4 amps and 32 pedals simultaneously. It's got a great dynamic response and recreates amp tones impressively well. The integrated expression pedal is a nice touch, giving you even more versatility. The Helix is a little confusing to programme, but it's a small price to pay for such a powerful piece of kit.

Neural DSP Quad Cortex

The Quad Cortex is a serious piece of kit for serious players. It's a floor-based supercomputer, with a huge array of effects, amps, cabs and anything else you can imagine. You can stack amps, effects and more, with the only limit being your imagination. It's an expensive option, but if you're serious about your guitar playing, it's a great investment.

Kemper Profiler Stage

The Kemper Profiler Stage is a robust and compact preamp that combines the Profiler Head and Remote foot controller into one neat package. It's an incredibly powerful amp modeller, used by many guitarists to reproduce almost any amplifier imaginable. The Profiler Stage has endless tonal possibilities, with amps, effects and speaker cabinet simulations organised into 125 banks of five. It's a complex piece of kit, so it does take a while to get to grips with, but it's well worth the effort.

Boss GT-1

The Boss GT-1 is a great entry-level option. It's simple and easy to operate, with 108 different effect types, 99 presets and 99 user patches, as well as a 32-second looper. It can be powered by batteries or a DC power supply, and it's got a USB port for downloading sounds and using the online editor. It's a little simplistic, but it's a solid choice for beginners.

Mooer GE300

The Mooer GE300 is a great choice if you're on a budget. It's got 164 onboard effects, 108 preamps, 43 speaker cab models, a 30-minute loop station and a synth engine. It's a very impressive piece of kit for the price, but Mooer isn't a well-known brand, so it may depreciate quickly.

Get an acoustic guitar silencer

If you're looking to learn guitar while travelling for work, you may want to consider investing in a travel guitar. These are often more compact and portable than a standard guitar, making them easier to transport on your travels. Some popular options include the Traveler Acoustic Ultra Light Guitar, the Taylor GS Mini (Mahogany), and the Yamaha SLG. These guitars are designed to be more convenient for travelling while still allowing you to practice and play.

Now, if you're specifically concerned about noise levels while practising in hotels or other shared spaces, you might want to look into acoustic guitar silencers or mute devices. These products can help reduce the volume of your acoustic guitar, making it easier to play without disturbing others. Here are some options and considerations for acoustic guitar silencers:

• Feedback Busters: One option is to use a soundhole plug, such as the Planet Waves feedback buster, which can significantly reduce the volume of your acoustic guitar.
• Silicone Guitar Mute: Another option is a silicone guitar mute pad that fits over the strings to dampen the sound. These are typically small and flexible, easy to install and remove, and can be purchased at a reasonable price. However, some users have noted that they may need to be positioned carefully to avoid completely muting the strings.
• Soundhole Covers: D'Addario Screeching Halt Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Cover is designed to eliminate feedback and reduce volume without completely muting the sound.
• Guitar String Mutes: You can also find various string mutes or dampeners that attach to the strings to reduce their vibration and volume. These come in different designs, such as felt or cotton covers, and adjustable straps.

Remember, while these silencers can help reduce volume, some may affect your ability to hear the pitch of the strings or the tone of your guitar. Be sure to read reviews and consider your specific needs when choosing a silencer. Additionally, consider the acoustics of your playing environment—practising in a carpeted room or sitting on a couch or bed can help absorb sound and minimise disturbance to others.

Frequently asked questions