DaddyJ - Posted - 01/21/2013:  07:38:17

My daughter is interested in learning to play upright so she can help out my son's new band.  What size bass would you recommend for a 10 yo?  We just measured her - she's about 4'10".  Any rules of thumb regarding size?  This is completely new territory for me so any advice etc. is appreciated.  She has some piano, violin, and mandolin experience so it shouldn't be too difficult for her to learn...

Thanks,

Jesse

Texasbanjo - Posted - 01/22/2013:  04:30:07

You could start her out with a cello - it's smaller than an upright and might fit her size and fingers better.  Or, if you're not against electric uprights, that's another thought.

I had a friend whose daughter started playing upright bass at about 7 -- and she played a 3/4 bass.  Her mother put her on a box next to the bass so she could reach the strings, and that and that's how she started learning to play.  At first her little fingers couldn't press the strings down hard enough to make a clean sound, but as she practiced, she got better.

The daughter is now 23 and one heck of an excellent bass, mandolin and guitar picker -- plus fantastic singer both lead and harmony.  Nothing like that family harmony.

DaddyJ - Posted - 01/22/2013:  06:08:31

Thanks, I thought about the cello thing. I love cellos. We'll look into that. It has to be upright because they plan to compete at fiddler's conventions, which don't allow electrified instruments.

coelhoe - Posted - 02/01/2013:  13:29:18

Most contests make an exception for electric bass. A short scale solid body can work well with smaller hands, and a small amp.

If you do get a 3/4, be sure to get the compound synthetic strings. There is no reason to use the metal ones. They are hard oin little figners and they cost twice as much for no extra volume.

Terry Allan Hall - Posted - 08/02/2013:  16:54:51

I'd rent a 3/4 sized one and see if, after a month she's comfortable that size...if not, maybe rent a 1/2 size.

One of my favorite performing partners is a 4' 3" "little person" named Louis, who plays excellent string bass on a 4/4... he stands on a stool and makes wise cracks about how his "axe" is roomier than his apartment.

Fun dude to gig with!

coelhoe - Posted - 08/24/2013:  09:32:22

I get a steady number of calls to teach smaller children, i.e. below 11 years old, and I almost always decline. (I've had some that wanted to start the kid at 5 years old!)  Instead I recommend that the parents cut a deal with the kid: in exchange for two years (or more) of piano, the parents will get the kid the instrument they really want.

A back ground in piano is invaluable, teaching all of the music skills and fundamentals. After that, it is just a matter of technique.

Terry: I doubt that your pal is actually playing a 4/4, full-size bass. You rarely see these outside a symphony orchestra. I'm 6'3" and I need a stool to play a full-size.

Jim Yates - Posted - 08/24/2013:  11:24:52

Almost all bluegrass/folk/country/rockabilly players use 3/4 basses.  My son is 6'3" and uses a 3/4 bass.  Here's a photo of Darcy with a 3/4 bass.  As coelhoe said, 4/4s are huge.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 08/24/2013 11:27:03

Kirby & Yates (& Yates)