Starting them young

neilG · #1 02-20-2011, 08:39 PM

Greetings,
I'd like to know if any of you have started the little people on the 1/16 and 1/10 size basses that are available now. I've always thought that starting bassists earlier was a great idea, but have not spoken with anyone who has done it. Thanks,
Neil

Barongket · #2 02-26-2011, 06:52 PM

My son started on a 1/10 size bass at the age of five in CIM's Suzuki program. He's twelve now and can't remember not playing bass. Three of the Cleveland Orchestra's bass section members kids are in the program and they started when they were five, or younger. They all take theory classes as well in the program and are in orchestras. I say start them out as soon as possible when all those synapses are still open but be prepared to shlepp basses around for a while.

neilG · #3 03-01-2011, 11:12 AM

Thanks for that feedback. I'm going to start looking around for basses and proportional bows at a reasonable price.

David Potts · #4 03-06-2011, 09:25 PM

My youngest have been in Year 3 (our system), probably 8 or 9 years old, on Mini-Basses bought when they first became available in about 1970s. Any younger and I would suggest starting kids on cello. The smallest bass I have seen here is 1/8 size, still too big for Year 2 and under.

The Australian books I use to start kids are called "Tricks to Tunes" Book ! by Audrey Akerman (Flying Strings, Australia, 2005), followed by "I Bags The Bass" Volume 3 (1st Position) ed. Chris Belshaw (Currency Press, Australia). "Tricks to Tunes" will suit a non-music reading beginner and I often start my older non-readers the same way, though they can progress much faster. Book 1 finishes with some well known tunes after the D Major Scale. "I Bags The Bass" sticks to 1st Position but has no fingerings so that the kid/adult has to read. The tunes are often repeated (eg well known old nursery songs, folk songs, etc).

Then I go to Simandl Tutor 1st Position that adds more notes to read with bigger jumps across strings and more accidentals but no tunes to hang onto. After that back to Half Position then 3rd Position with some tunes from "Amazing Solos for Double Bass".

Then Years 5 and 6 kids might be on 1/4 size and Years 7 and 8 on 1/2 size, Year 9 onwards to 3/4 or full size.

I have eleven students at a boys' school, one in Year 3, 2 in Year 6, 2 in Year 7, one in Year 9 and 2 in Year 11 (boys leave school after year 12 aged 17-18). The school has well over 1500 students over three campuses and over 900 boys learn music!!

DP

Stick_Player · #5 03-31-2011, 03:34 PM

My 10 year-old has been playing bass since age 7. He started on a 1/2 size Electric (25") and now plays 3/4 scale - fretless and fretted.

He plays on a 1/10 scale Upright (28" scale). We are soon moving him to a 1/4 scale (skipping the 1/8 scale).

He plays James Jamerson - Paul McCartney - Bootsy Collins - Rocco Prestia - Larry Graham - Jaco Pastorius on the Electric.

He plays Paul Chambers - Ron Carter - Ray Brown on the Upright.

No bow yet.

He has been playing violin at a very high level since age 4.

Start 'em young.

But who knows what he'll be doing when he's 25.

**Ben Mitchell** · #6 05-12-2011, 06:02 PM

This makes me feel like I'm at a disability. I've only been playing since Year 6 our system, but I suppose I've been moving fast. I'm year 9 now.

neilG · #7 05-13-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMaster65

This makes me feel like I'm at a disability. I've only been playing since Year 6 our system, but I suppose I've been moving fast. I'm year 9 now.

How do those years correlate with the usual grade system in the US? When we read "Year 6" we think "sixth grade" which is 11 year olds.

**Ben Mitchell** · #8 05-14-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilG

How do those years correlate with the usual grade system in the US? When we read "Year 6" we think "sixth grade" which is 11 year olds.

Thats right. I live in texas. I was trying to be internationally friendly.

BassLand · #9 05-14-2011, 02:38 PM

http://www.youtube.com/user/basslabd#p/u/82/eZslB1EzBGg

I started my grandson @ 2 months.

neilG · #10 05-15-2011, 12:55 AM

That's just too cute for words. He couldn't take his eyes off you.

Don Higdon · #11 05-22-2011, 07:42 PM

I read an article in the ISB magazine about a teacher who starts children playing at the octave. Then they work their way down to half-position. The result is they have no fear of being high up on the neck. Can't remember his name.

mdwallace · #12 05-25-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

I read an article in the ISB magazine about a teacher who starts children playing at the octave. Then they work their way down to half-position. The result is they have no fear of being high up on the neck. Can't remember his name.

I think this is becoming more and more common, which is great! Not only does it eliminate the "fear" of thumb position, but it is all-around more enjoyable for youngsters to play at the octave. It's aurally much friendlier, because that range is more familiar to the ear. And physically more approachable too, both for the LH and bow. Starting in half position can be uncomfortable and tiring for a beginner, and when the aural result is not pretty, it's not enticing for the youngster to practice. Slaving through Simandl exercises is not much fun for a 10 year old (or 5 year old!)

David Potts · #13 05-30-2011, 01:17 AM

The youngest string ensembles at the school where I teach tend to use music orchestrated in D Major with simple notes and rests. Many of these pieces only use a few notes in 1st. Position for the bass parts, ie 6 notes of the D scale. There may well be other music using other approaches. To me the best thing is that kids are playing with other instruments and children in a group, not just practicing in isolation. Kids can then see, hear and make sense of why they should do as you ask.

DP

sanbeiji · #14 02-19-2012, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdwallace

I think this is becoming more and more common, which is great! Not only does it eliminate the "fear" of thumb position, but it is all-around more enjoyable for youngsters to play at the octave.

This is a great idea. I'm about to take on a new student who is just 7 years old, and I want to try a different approach. Would love to hear if there are any new method books aimed at children that start 'em in the middle of the fingerboard instead of half position.

neilG · #15 02-19-2012, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanbeiji

This is a great idea. I'm about to take on a new student who is just 7 years old, and I want to try a different approach. Would love to hear if there are any new method books aimed at children that start 'em in the middle of the fingerboard instead of half position.

Suzuki and George Vance start them off that way. As the books progress, Suzuki uses Simandl type positioning, and Vance uses Rabbath type positions, and that will determine your choice, I think. You don't need to be a Suzuki teacher to make sense of the books.

Mudpuppy630511 · #16 04-12-2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassLand

http://www.youtube.com/user/basslabd#p/u/82/eZslB1EzBGg

I started my grandson @ 2 months.

Aside from the 2month old grandson, what is the best age for starting kids? My daughter is 18 months and loves listening to music of all varieties. Not just her Bible songs, but urban/modern gospel, Christian hardcore heavy metal, Christian Rock, popular, and Southern Gospel. She also loves to dance and make up dances depending on the beat, and can figure out the beat of the tune. What other musical ability should I be keen to look for? What about physical developmentally?