Need help for beginner bassist

[highlander_Daz]

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]

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

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

[Schultz]

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

[highlander_Daz]

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.