Hi, I'm 12 and want to play double bass...

[Metal Chuck]

...But I'm afraid that I'm too small/short.

I'm quite tall for my age, tipping out at 5'8, but I'm concerned that I'm not tall enough to play double bass.

P.S: I want just about a full sized/almost full sized one, none of those kiddy things. If possible, I want size 3/4 to 4/4

[bejoyous]

If you fill out your profile, myself or others could recommend a good teacher and a place to get an instrument.

As for your hieght, you are tall enough. I'm 5' 9" and play a 7/8 size bass.

[Bruce Lindfield]

As mentioned before - I have seen women professional Jazz Double Bass players, who are only just over 5' tall and "petite" - a 3/4 bass was no problem.

But I'm sure that others who know more about this than me will chip in eventually!

[Metal Chuck]

But I don't want to be standing on a stool or chair or anything, to me if you're gonna play, do it right.

[Mike Goodbar]

Don't worry about it. A 3/4 bass (which is the most common size) or a 7/8 should fit you fine. True 4/4 basses are pretty rare, generally speaking.

[MonetBass]

I started on a 1/2 when I was 10, then switched to 3/4 at 11. I was only about 5' 5" at the time, and it was no problem. That's what endpins are for!

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by Metal Chuck

But I don't want to be standing on a stool or chair or anything, to me if you're gonna play, do it right.

You're the same height as I am, and I do it for a living. You'll be fine; just get a teacher to at least show you the ropes.

[Aaron Saunders]

Yeah man, you'll be fine at that height. I'm about 5'9 or so, and there's a girl here at the school who can't be over 5'4 and she TEARS it -- on a bigger bass than mine.

[Justin K-ski]

I'm 5'6". Height is not a problem with me. Unless I'm trying to get something off the top shelf of my bass locker.

[Aaron Saunders]

I forgot, my teacher's also shorter than I am by a noticeable difference. Of course, there's also a noticeable difference in how the two of us play too The guy is SIIIIICK -- he always seems to pull out an awesome tone whether he's playing his 150+ year old German, my 50 year old Hofner, or any of the random school basses.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by bejoyous

If you fill out your profile, myself or others could recommend a good teacher and a place to get an instrument.

Good idea! And here's the link:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/profil...do=editprofile

[bass phan]

dont worry man, size dont matter at all

i started at a whopping 4'11" and had a 1/4 size bass
now im 5'8" and play a 3/4 size bass

and starting young would be pretty killer my man!

[Pcocobass]

Yeah man you've already got me beat (short Italian, what can I do?) and I've been playing db since college. Learn proper technique....

[Jazzin']

5'8" is not too short for the standard 3/4 size DB. Isn't 5'8" or 5'9" the average height of a full grown man?

[mje]

Here's another data point: My nephew- who started at 10 on 1 1/8th size instrument- is now 13, 5'6", and plays a 3/4 bass.

[TheJimster]

Hey Chuck. Don't worry I'm 5'9 1/2 and play a 3/4. Last year I started playing I was about 5'6". Playing the smae bass, standing up nonetheless. Trust us your tall enough.

[Aaron Cohn]

To echo what others have said, you should be fine. I play a very large bass, and though I'm tall I've seen some players shorter than you are play my bass with no real problem. You should be more than fine with a 3/4 bass, which, as has already been said in this thread, is the standard size--anything larger than 3/4 is bigger than usual.

[fryBASS]

join the school orchestra. thats the way to go. thats how I did it anyway. started off in 4th grade doing bass. i'm sure its not too late to be starting 6th/7th grade.

[pnchad]

Arguably one of the best jazz DBers today is a slight fellow with small hands. I was amazed when I went to one of his clinics.

I'm 6'2" with large hands and can't hold a candle to Mr. Gomez.