Advise for a new lefty learner

[Waylund]

Hello. My daughter has expressed an interest in playing bass. I play bass and have gear but... she is a lefty and has relatively small hands, making some of the stretches very difficult if not impossible on a standard scale length. So, the ideal thing for her would be a lefty short-scale bass, but that has been hard to find and what I have found has been rather expensive (well, $300+, which to buy for a kid who may drop it in a month is expensive).

Any suggestions? Any lefties have an opinion about starting to learn righty? Any other thoughts on good solutions?

 

[Drucifer]

Hello. My daughter has expressed an interest in playing bass. I play bass and have gear but... she is a lefty and has relatively small hands, making some of the stretches very difficult if not impossible on a standard scale length. So, the ideal thing for her would be a lefty short-scale bass, but that has been hard to find and what I have found has been rather expensive (well, $300+, which to buy for a kid who may drop it in a month is expensive).

Any suggestions? Any lefties have an opinion about starting to learn righty? Any other thoughts on good solutions?

How about a lefty Ibanez Mikro?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GSRM20L--ibanez-gsrm20lbk-mikro-left-handed-black

Still not very cheap, but less than $200. There's a Mikro thread here.

 

[FatStringer52]

Check the used market . . .

short-scale bass lefty used | eBay

Reverb.com

TB Classifieds

Your local Criagslist

 

[mambo4]

Either handedness is equally inept when starting out.
Just because someone is left handed does not mean they must play bass that way.
If she's just starting out, why not get her the easier to find and less expensive bass?

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you have one, have her pick up a guitar and see if she is at all comfortable playing right handed. I am left handed, but years ago decided to play right handed. It makes it easier to find/share equipment, and frankly, that way, her better hand is doing the harder work.

 

[Mushroo]

Maybe you could loan her one of your less expensive basses, to start out?

Even if she decides to take up short-scale lefty in the future, knowing her way around a full-scale righty bass is a skill that will serve her well.

...has relatively small hands, making some of the stretches very difficult if not impossible on a standard scale length.

There is no reason to "stretch" in order to play the bass guitar. (In fact stretching can be damaging to the hands.) Once she realizes she doesn't need to "stretch" then she can play even a standard 34" scale without risk of injury.

 

[Waylund]

Thanks everyone. Lots of good feedback and thoughts. Also, to Mushroo, thanks for calling me on the "stretch" thing. I wasn't even thinking that for most stuff that is a stretch she could just switch strings - just in my rut.

Also, I do have a regular guitar that she can use too.

 

[theduke1]

As a lefty I learned to play right handed
But if that is not an option
A Rouge v100 violin bass can be strung for a left hand player low cost decent quality
Duke

 

[ProfFrink]

Looking for a lefty bass can be underwhelming for someone who is used to the vast variety available for righties, but you usually only need one (or a few if you're on TB) and you can find anything lefty if you look a little harder and/or willing to order by mail.

• Try finding local forums for lefties (such as local FB groups). There is a used market for lefty basses just as for anything else musical.
• Adirondack Guitars have a pretty nice collection
• Thomann (Germany) have nice offerings for lefties

 

[craigie]

I know two very good guitar teachers that advocate “just play right”. They have had students with success that way. One of them is left handed and plays right.

Also, with small hands I say don’t play one finger per fret. Shift lots. Play up the neck and down a string if there’s a choice (and if the tone is ok).

 

[plburrows]

I'm lefty, and haven't found it that hard to find good guitars and basses over the years. I'd vote to stick lefty, personally.