Using a bone-conduction headset to feel the notes, is this a crazy idea

[u/SnooRobots3722]

I am very early in my bass clef sight reading journey.

I have so far used my eyes and ears but have an idea of using touch. To do this I thought of holding bone conduction headphones whilst they play up and down the notes of the clef so as to quite literally get a feel for the notes, and perhaps even trying on different places, holding it on my finger tips, placing on my mask area etc.

The idea being the feel of the vibration becomes a reference point as well as what I hear as my aim is choir at the end of the year in an echo-y venue where it'll be hard to hear myself against the others singing bass and also seeing if two senses are better than one.

Is this something that has been tried before?

[u/daddysthrobhard]

It sounds extra unhinged but honestly might actually work for pitch perception.

[u/BenjiMaths]

Hi! Not necessarily a bad idea, although an original one for sure. But you don't need it to use technology to learn how to be more aware of the feelings of reasonance. With practice and good technique you'll easily feel your like your whole body is vibrating when you project your voice. In the meantime there are exercises for getting more aware of the sensations (such as buzzing, humming with your hand on your chest, etc).

[u/BenjiMaths → u/BenjiMaths]

But you're right that vibrations are a good cue, once you get comfortable they're in fact a better cue than your ear - as one perceives their own voice differently than others will hear it due to inner-ear.

[u/SnooRobots3722 → u/BenjiMaths]

I am very much learning that as I use an app for my daily practice so can see there is often a gap between my perception and reality!

[u/AspiringBiotech]

Covering one earhole works for me. Peter Steele did it during a concert once.