Need help for beginner bassist

[auld argonian]

Re the size of the instrument and the occurence of tendonitis: remember that the fingering hand while playing the violin is extended and twisted into something very close to an unnatural position hence the range of sizes in children's violins (I know that they go down to 1/16th size at least): it's one thing to twist the hand over but to do it at or beyond full extension of the arm is asking for trouble.
While playing a guitar or bass the instrument is flat in front of you and the fingering hand isn't turned over like it is on the violin. I now play viola (longer than a violin) and getting the left hand (in my case) into a comfortable position took a lot of adapting...when I put the viola down and pick up the mandolin it's almost a relief to have my hand flat in front of me. The length of the neck of the instrument relative to the child's reach is the only limitation that you might encounter.

Best

AA

[mbhandy]

Shay,

Try this site for her Bass I took up playing Bass last Mar.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...=100001+306322

at the time I got a small Practice amp on sale $125. (not that price now).

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...se_pid/482538/

I got mine at Guitar Center in Salt Lake. It was a unavertised sale. They are the same Co. and honor all on line sales. Good people to work withGet them to throw in a gig bag. If you hit them just right I Got a hard case for $30. and the padded gig bag.

MrBill

[Shay]

Quick update- we got a short scale Ibenez(sp?) for around $140US, and she's loving it! It's still a little big for her, but the biggest problem she really has is being aware of the ends when she turns around- she's knocked into tables and walls several times. (Open space is at a premium in my house)

She' having a great time, and wants to learn to play Psycho Killer by the Talking Heads first!

[Sherry]

Tell her no way! Everyone starts with Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star! ;-)

The bumping around thing is normal for kids, which is why you're told not to buy really expensive instruments for them unless they turn out to be real prodigies.

Have fun.

[Rigged]

You can't hurt a solid-body electric with stickers, paint, or anything else applied to the body. Just don't mess with the fretboard, the pickups, or allow any liquid to get into the electronics.