teaching an interested bass player

Frugle · #1 05-17-2006, 10:38 AM

I have a female friend who would really like to get into playing bass. Right now, she has focused on vocal training for most of her life, so she knows a lot of music theory and such, but for vocals.

She said she would really like to get into bass, and I am more than willing to help teach her what I know.

Now, she doesn't play any stringed instruments right now, so she has no callous build up on her fingers.

I really don't want her to get discuraged, so what combination of bass and strings should I get to keep the pain to a minimum?

What kind of bass should we get for a beginner?

I was looking at an SX, seems to be a good beginner bass after a proper setup.

What if I went looking for a shortscale SX, and got some coated flatwounds, like elixers or something, would this help keep the overall pain of building callous' to a minimum?

got any tips on how to teach? what do I start with? (This is obviously just to get her started)

EDIT: does this seem like a good choice? http://www.rondomusic.net/sjb62short.html

Demon · #2 05-17-2006, 10:45 AM

Well when i first started i never got any real pain even if i played for lon and ive already started getting some callous. But might b different from person to person. Anyway i heard lots of good about SX but dunno about shortscale, imean that bass does look retarded:/

pocketmonster · #3 05-17-2006, 07:07 PM

I haven't often heard of blistering or calluses being that big of a problem for bass guitarists... unless you go from no playing to a couple hours a day overnight. In that case it isn't just your skin that is being abused but lots of other internal parts too. Just have her start by practicing only 15-20 minutes a day until she is comfortable increasing the time. The fingers adapt no matter what type of strings.

Just to note the contrast, the thinner strings on a guitar really tear up your fingers because they are simply wire and press into your fingertips. The only pain I've endured in terms of blisters is from trying to ramp up for a big show on guitar. I've found it usually takes two weeks of steady practice to develop gig-worthy calluses on guitar.

flatwoundfender · #4 05-17-2006, 07:28 PM

When I started in 6th grade I had light gauge rounds, then some nylon wrapped strings. By 7th grade I was playing Fender 9050m flats (105 - 55). They were high tension strings so for a while I did get a few blisters until I had callouses build up. Those fenders are pretty high on the tension level, and I handled them back then (i was short and scrawny) so I think most strings would be fine, maybe something like a 100-45 set. Just tell her at first it will be hard, but after a while you get used to it. I'm sure she had points where it was hard to hit notes and developed a sore throat and whatnot. I was barely over 5ft tall at the time and playing a fender p so unless she's really small I don't see the need for a shortscale. I'd say try the lower gauge fender flats, they're smooth so they won't eat fingers like rounds, but they do have tension so she can put some oomph into it after a while, actually those nylon coated strings would be great also. Also for all you students who are still short, you'll probably grow eventually, I'm about 6 feet tall now.

Fro0d · #5 05-17-2006, 07:40 PM

I started with the ibanez bass guitar starter kit, and had very little pain problems, even with the strings it starts with. She will be fine, I don't think she will be discouraged unless the songs you choose are too hard. Try seven nation army, thats a pretty easy song and everyone has heard it.

Frugle · #6 05-17-2006, 07:41 PM

I've been playing solid for almost 3 years, and I still get blisters, (I guess I like to slide... a lot.. I also play guitar as well)

its not that she's short, ( she's 5'3"), but she also has fairly small hands.

but if you think full scale would be a better idea, than you know a lot more than I do...

Fro0d · #7 05-17-2006, 07:44 PM

My sister is 11 and she can handle my bass, she should be fine unless they are abnormally small.

and I don't think she will be sliding too much anytime soon anyways.

BassChuck · #8 05-18-2006, 03:40 AM

I'd only go with the short scale if her hands are really small. If you do that choose the strings to get the best sound. And find an amp or some kind of sound system (home stereo or powered headphones) that make the bass sound good.

skoti89 · #9 05-22-2006, 08:04 PM

Personally, I think female bassists are hot.

Daytona955i · #10 05-22-2006, 08:17 PM

If she has small hands or is short so that her arms are shorter, a short scale is probably a good idea, it can be tough to reach those first few frets when you have short arms and first start out.

You obviously have a bass, show her something simple and see how comfortable she feels and if a slightly shorter bass might be easier. If not, she'll probably want to stick with a long scale.

Poop-Loops · #11 05-22-2006, 09:30 PM

My callouses actually disappeared when I switched from guitar to bass. I was surprised.

The only thing that might be a problem is that she'll need more finger strength to press down the strings vs. guitar. Get a 5-string bass and have her play on the B string or just have her play higher up the fretboard for a while.

Frugle · #12 05-23-2006, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytona955i

If she has small hands or is short so that her arms are shorter, a short scale is probably a good idea, it can be tough to reach those first few frets when you have short arms and first start out.

You obviously have a bass, show her something simple and see how comfortable she feels and if a slightly shorter bass might be easier. If not, she'll probably want to stick with a long scale.

sorry, forgot to mention that I'm left handed and she's right handed.. so she can't play mine.