Need help for beginner bassist

**Shay** · 19th December 05, 07:18 PM

(If this gets moved to Off-Topic, I'll understand, but bear with me...) I know there's a couple musicians knocking around the board, and I'm hoping one of you could help me out.

My daughter has decided she wants to play electric bass guitar*. For now she'll be taking rock lessons, but what we all really love is Celtic rock and she ultimately wants to join Enter the Haggis. (Hey, she's 8, I ain't telling her she can't!)

I'm wondering if we have any bassists or general music players that could recommend anything for her- whether it's music to play or a style to avoid?

I can just about pick out, "Love me Tender" on an acoustic so I'm starting from scratch here in bass knowledge. I don't even know any good 'bass songs' besides 'Smoke on the Water'! So my Google-fu is not strong with the one.

*And the bagpipes! I told her if she does the complete schedule at the School of Rock for the bass, we'll talk more about the bagpipes then.

**chasem** · 19th December 05, 08:22 PM

Bass is an excellent instrument. It's very diverse.

As far as what bass to get, there are several starter sets you can get, with a bass and an amp, for a decent price. Ibanez and Fender both sell sets, and I'm sure other brands do as well.

As far as musical styles, well, it's kind of personal taste. Whatever style she goes with, start with easy stuff, and then continue up. I know that's basic, but don't just try to dive right in.

What I would really reccomend would be to start her on piano. Especially if she's interested in various instruments. I have a great friend who's been playing piano for 10-15 years now. He's an amazing musician now. He plays various instruments, and plays them well. Trumpet, baritone, trombone, piano of course. Beyond just playing instruments, he's got an excellent grasp on music in general - chord structure, how different instruments work together, and he can sing very well.

Had he not started playing piano, he wouldn't be quite as good at other aspects.

However, if she has no interest at all in piano, that could just push her away from music

**Shay** · 19th December 05, 10:45 PM

Yep- we have a piano and I play a bit- she's bound and detemined to plot her own course, though. Which is actually cool by me, I'd rather spend a little more and get her something she loves, than save money and make her think learning music is annoying.

**highlander_Daz** · 20th December 05, 04:10 AM

Shay ive been a semi pro guitar player since the 80s and I do teach Guitar mostly but bass occasionally, the Bass guitar has a very long scale so it can be a challange for a young person, go to a good guitar shop and ask for a short scale bass, dont take no for an answer, and if the wont sell you one walk out of the door, look to spend between 100 and 200 pounds I dont know whta that is in dollars, you will need a practice amplifier bear in mind you cant use a normal guitar amp the low frequencies will damage the speaker eventually.

find a reputable tutor and ask if you can speak to his/her other students to guage how appropriate the tutor will be for your youngster. I recoment a tutor that will teach both fingers and pick style, many guitar teachers simply teach playing with a pick, its better to know both. good luck

**Shay** · 20th December 05, 06:25 AM

Thanks, HD- is that the same as a 3/4 size bass?

And most importantly- do they come in pink? (jk- mostly)

**Schultz** · 20th December 05, 09:01 AM

Ditto what Daz said, especially the part about being able to play with the fingers and with a pick.

**highlander_Daz** · 20th December 05, 10:00 AM

Shay as a rule if the youngster concerned sits down with the bass guitar resting on her Right knee as if shes playing it, if she were to place her left hand on the frets nearest the headstock (the pointed part with big keys sticking out in laymans terms) then the crook in her left arm should be a right angle if its more extended than that then the scale of the instrument is too long (Im assuming its for a right handed person-if not simply reverse all the left and rights) and this will lead to problems, RSI and all manner of malarky, as for pink Im sorry I cant assist with that , how about a Tartan Bass?

ALWAYS get references for any potential tutor, and in the UK we have whats called a CRB background check this comes in the form of a certificate from the Criminal records beureu that shows that the holder as no criminal convictions,
this is essential for anyone who works with young people, a sad reflection of the times we live in but child protection is very important.

if you have any questions at all shay please PM me and I will be happy to advise.

**macsim** · 21st December 05, 10:50 AM

Shay, have you checked out Daisy Rock guitars? http://www.daisyrock.com/ I don't know a lot about them but I know they're designed with young female rockers in mind. Pink seems to be the dominant color! They even show a girl's bass method teaching book on there, taught from a "girl's perspective." I don't know whether women would find this helpful or feel like they want to play what the men play but it does seem geared towards girls rather than the usual male rocker thing. Once they learn they can play whatever they want. The size is geared toward smaller hands too. Good luck with the music!

**Iolaus** · 21st December 05, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by macsim

Shay, have you checked out Daisy Rock guitars? http://www.daisyrock.com/ I don't know a lot about them but I know they're designed with young female rockers in mind. Pink seems to be the dominant color! They even show a girl's bass method teaching book on there, taught from a "girl's perspective." I don't know whether women would find this helpful or feel like they want to play what the men play but it does seem geared towards girls rather than the usual male rocker thing. Once they learn they can play whatever they want. The size is geared toward smaller hands too. Good luck with the music!

...and here are a few models with prices.

http://www.music123.com/search/?src=...tars&x=34&y=17

**auld argonian** · 21st December 05, 11:16 AM

Oh, geez, those Daisy Rockers are like 3/5ths size...I have a fourteen year old daughter who plays guitar and we've been buying her full size instead of fractional size guitars for while. Friend of mine recommended a smaller axe and we went with it and it was just a tragically poor instrument so we just started buying "regular" guitars for her...there may be some fractionally sized guitars or basses out there but you would probably pay as much for a quality one as you would for a full size instrument. Taylor guitars would be an example of this; they make smaller guitars but they cost like the full size. Have the child try out a full size and see how it feels....and I have seen electric basses made with short, standard and extra-long necks...my brother had a Gibson SG Bass with the XL neck...very tasty instrument...he should have hung on to it.

Best

AA