In a recent video, double bassist Lauren Pierce suggested practicing playing scales on the double bass while a drone is on.
She suggests a three step approach:
- Play a scale with the tuner sounding a pitch.
- Play a scale with a drone going.
- Play a scale with a midi file that is also running the same scale.
This approach helps not only center each pitch, but since you are comparing the sound you are making with the sound you are hearing from the technology, you are helping to train how you hear.
Also, you get to hear all the fun intervals when you play against a drone.