Tips for a 10yr old boy

bud9899 · #1 05-11-2009, 06:19 PM

Hi All,
Great site, lots to read, should be some good reference material for my son.
My Son turns 10 this week, he chose a bass guitar over video games or a computer for his b-day, HE!! YEAH!
I picked up an Ibanez SRX505 5 string and an SWR LA12 old style amp for $350 local, works great, sounds clear turned up with the fat string rumbling on the bass. So now you know what he's getting for his birthday what would any of you recommend for helping a little fella start some skills and have some fun with his new bass?
He/we like heavy rock type music, Stone Sour, Sevendust, Disturbed, Tool,... where to start?
Old Dad just wants to see his boy have some fun plus one of the kids on the baseball team got a set of drums and is trying to learn, it would be cool to have a 12/13yr old boy with a band and I get to play sound guy!

Thanks!

dj150888 · #2 05-11-2009, 06:33 PM

Only tip I'd have for you, let him work at his own pace. Hes obviously already expressed an interest in it, so don't push it onto him. If he doesn't feel like practicing, don't make him. Hes got that interest, he'll practice when he wants to, which will probably be a lot more at first.

Ok...maybe it wasn't the only tip. Second tip. When hes feeling frustrated at the instrument, whether its because he feels hes progressing slowly or he can't play his favourite song straight away, explain to him that it takes time, tell him that he can't become a virtuoso over night and just generally be supportive of him

All in all, if hes got the interest, you don't need very many tips.

LowDown Hal · #3 05-11-2009, 06:39 PM

Lessons ????

bud9899 · #4 05-11-2009, 07:43 PM

dj, that was my thought too, no pressure, its not my dream I'm trying to live through my kid, I just thought it was great he picked something besides video games. 110% support, we've already talked about the fact it will take months of practice and years of playing to jam like the guys we listen too. Still, he has a way of picking up things and making it look easy. He tested for the gifted program in school today. AB honor role, he rocks. Hence the decision to drop a few dimes on what I believe to be good gear to start with.

LowDown, as soon as baseball is over we planned to pay for some lessons. Right now we play or practice baseball 6 days a week, plus school, homework, dinner, our days go by QUICK. School ends in 2 weeks and we'll have some day time available for lessons.

Thanks guys!

BloodyBandage · #5 05-13-2009, 11:07 PM

yup, playing sports and fishing with my dad was priceless. Treasure these times

**bassybill** · #6 05-14-2009, 01:50 PM

I never really got to fish or play sports with my Dad, he's just not into that sort of stuff. But I did get to gig with him when I was about 15 until I was 25 or so. That made up for it a little, I think. He's a terrific guy.

excane · #7 05-14-2009, 02:04 PM

The most fun you can start him out with (other than the bass itself) is get him hooked on a healthy collection of pedals.

Please point your son to the Effects forum here, and be prepared when he comes running to you every week asking for money.

UncleFluffy · #8 05-14-2009, 02:06 PM

headphones

bud9899 · #9 05-19-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

headphones

Nahhhhh, I like it when the walls rumble and the window panes rattle. Funny though.
I'm good for money monthly not weekly.
School ends in few days and I'm hoping we can pass some time in front of youtube with some beginner bass lessons.
Man this little setup sounds good, just the strum of the strings sounds good.
bassy, it wasn't what the time was it was that it was there and you had it. Hug the old guy next time you see him.
Thanks guys!

Rattman · #10 05-19-2009, 09:54 PM

Yep... play it LOUD (sometimes).. its just plain fun to do that.. plus a couple other things:

Less TV

Less video games

Listen to LOTS of music pioneers to get to the "roots"

Hang around with others of like minds

Memorize some scales, modes, chord forms: play them often

Learn the 'Circle of Fifths'

UncleFluffy · #11 05-19-2009, 10:09 PM

This

(I know tab is evil, but having a bunch of songs you can play is a great motivator).

bud9899 · #12 05-20-2009, 07:24 AM

Sabbath is cool, I always liked Trashed. It was my theme song growing up. LOL
Rattman, I'm having a hard time getting him to listen to anything I would consider "roots" music, this boy loves the modern hard rock, I've taken him to see Sevendust, Disturbed, Shinedown if that tells you were his music interest lie. I am very Thankful he's not "gangsta." My boy has grown to be an honest short tempered well mannered no **** taking kid. He'll hold the door open for old people with one hand and whip a kids ass with the other. It takes about 4 weeks at the beginning of the school year to sort out the pecking order, a couple of suspensions and the rest of the school years are fine and this has been happening since 1st grade. I smile knowing my boy ain't no punks little bitch! He never gets in trouble at home for finishing a fight. He left a 12yr old boy crying with his lip bleeding, that boy stands a foot taller and has never had a crossed word or attempted to take his bike again.

I appreciate the advise everyone and he's looking forward to having some time starting next week to get out his bass and learn a bit. If he takes to the bass like everything else he does, in a month or so he should start seeing some light shining. Honor kid in school, yep even with the suspensions.

Smart, reads and comprehends on a 7-8th grade level.

Peace