That's awesome!
My kids are too young, but they're definitely musically inclined, so it's just a matter of time.
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Do your kids play bass?
- Thread starter silvertone
- Start date
My kids are too young, but they're definitely musically inclined, so it's just a matter of time.
Both of my grown sons play music, Prime plays upright, electric bass and guitars and has a BA in communications/photography (another pursuit of mine), Secundus plays guitars from classical to shredding, electric bass, classical violin, piano and has a BA in music.
My wife says those apples didn't fall far from the tree.
My wife says those apples didn't fall far from the tree.
My son watched me play from infancy and loved plucking on my bass, "just like daddy".
At 10 years old he asked for an electric guitar. I gave my acoustic guitar and a chord chart saying when he learned his major and minor chords I would get him a guitar. The next DAY he could play them all from memory, so off to GC we went. He formed a neighborhood garage band, just like I did at his age.
At 15 he decided to play bass so I got him a Jazz, 800RB and 215 JBL cab. By the time he was 17 he had become one of the best bassists I ever heard.
He's second from the left in this photo.
In his early 20s he decided to switch to lead guitar and became a very good songwriter. We played in the same band for about ten years. He's an amazing musician.
Here he is today.
At 10 years old he asked for an electric guitar. I gave my acoustic guitar and a chord chart saying when he learned his major and minor chords I would get him a guitar. The next DAY he could play them all from memory, so off to GC we went. He formed a neighborhood garage band, just like I did at his age.
At 15 he decided to play bass so I got him a Jazz, 800RB and 215 JBL cab. By the time he was 17 he had become one of the best bassists I ever heard.
He's second from the left in this photo.
They were a Dead oriented band too. He became a Deadhead like me, went to shows with his mom and me and later with his friends. He's 38 now.
In his early 20s he decided to switch to lead guitar and became a very good songwriter. We played in the same band for about ten years. He's an amazing musician.
Here he is today.
My son picked up the bass guitar when he was ten. Went on to play upright in the high school orchestra and earned a BA and MA in Jazz Performance. He is playing regularly in the St. Louis area. He long ago passed up his dad in musical proficiency.
I’d have to be bigger to be prouder.
I’d have to be bigger to be prouder.
By the time my kids were little I stopped gigging like I used to so they haven’t seen me play outside of the house a whole lot in recent years. My son started messing around on my electric drums a year ago, so I taught him what I could, found out I suck as an instructor, got him lessons and now we are jamming together, and he is picking it up fast, it’s pretty awesome, I also used his interest as an excuse to get an acoustic set in the house hehe, soon I will have my perfect drummer trained...
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My 8 year old is decent enough on drums that we can now make something that resembles music. The 5 year old has a short scale bass, just in case he gets the urge.
My dad was a drummer and I ended up on bass (he was the drummer in my first band when I was 12 or 13). I figured I needed to raise a drummer so I will have someone to jam with when I get old and no one else wants me...
My dad was a drummer and I ended up on bass (he was the drummer in my first band when I was 12 or 13). I figured I needed to raise a drummer so I will have someone to jam with when I get old and no one else wants me...
I'm in the same boat...my son surpassed me years ago musically. He started playing when he was 11, and recording when he was 14. He was one of those kids that always played with older musicians growing up because of his proficiency. He's had the opportunity to play with many top musicians here in L.A. in various projects (and by jamming for years at The Baked Potato.) He even auditioned for John Fogerty's band a few years ago where he played with John himself and drummer Kenny Aronoff (James Lomenzo got the gig.) He's 28 now.
Age 13, just starting to play out:
In 2012, with Billy Payne of Little Feat:
Current:
Video of his busy cover band, Saloon No. 12:
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My wife plays flute and had more musical influence on my daughters than I did.
One plays flute....the other Oboe. Both play their respective instruments very very well.
My youngest wanted to play bass when she was younger... Even bought her a Samick Corsair. It just sits on a stand now collecting dust.
My son tried guitar in high school... Gave it up after the semester class was over.... He picked it up really fast and played well but didnt really like it.
So no... I'm the only bassist in the house
One plays flute....the other Oboe. Both play their respective instruments very very well.
My youngest wanted to play bass when she was younger... Even bought her a Samick Corsair. It just sits on a stand now collecting dust.
My son tried guitar in high school... Gave it up after the semester class was over.... He picked it up really fast and played well but didnt really like it.
So no... I'm the only bassist in the house
No pics but we bought our 12 yr old daughter a Jay Turser red P Bass last June. She is playing in the junior concert band were she must read music (not a problem with years of piano & guitar lessons) and a guitar club. Then I take her for about 45 minutes one night a week and teach her songs. The only thing I'd say she's missing is the enjoyment/satisfaction of figuring out songs for yourself (which is a part I really love). With the exceptions of her muting and her nails getting in the way, she's better than I was at 12.
Edit: Jay Turser Short Scale red P Bass.
Edit: Jay Turser Short Scale red P Bass.
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Last November I won a silent auction for a month at School of Rock, my eight year old knew it and he was not letting up that it was his (he also has an older sister). We started him in January and he is thriving! While I do not agree 100% on SoR's methods I do respect that they start to instill confidence as a performer from the minute you walk in their doors. Their instructors are all very gifted and have a passion for teaching children to rock from as early as they have desire. So half way into month number two he's learning the Rolling Stones. It's really amazing to relate to both of my children on an musical level; my oldest is heavily involved in drama, sings quite well and has two Ukulele's which she has taught herself to play.
This picture was taken last night, we were messing around and I let him have a go on my RW P-bass. He has a 29.5" scale bass and the action is (un-correctably) horrible higher up on the neck so I was like "try this". He's a very small kid and aside from the sheer size of my p-bass he just played it like he does his bass. Makes me think that instrument scale to some degree does not matter which is funny because try and try as I might I do not like 35" scale basses. Somebody mentioned telling their kids to keep the f!@# away from their instruments. I've taken the opposite approach and my kids have always respected my instruments and so they have always had access to them. I think part of his desire to learn was once he started to formally learn he had zero intimidation about the instrument itself.
This picture was taken last night, we were messing around and I let him have a go on my RW P-bass. He has a 29.5" scale bass and the action is (un-correctably) horrible higher up on the neck so I was like "try this". He's a very small kid and aside from the sheer size of my p-bass he just played it like he does his bass. Makes me think that instrument scale to some degree does not matter which is funny because try and try as I might I do not like 35" scale basses. Somebody mentioned telling their kids to keep the f!@# away from their instruments. I've taken the opposite approach and my kids have always respected my instruments and so they have always had access to them. I think part of his desire to learn was once he started to formally learn he had zero intimidation about the instrument itself.
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I tried to encourage my sons for music, but they lost interest after a couple years of lessons. I should have gone with " don't you kids touch my guitars!"
My son plays bass. He is a TB member and he has massive GAS.
He is really naturally skilled, and has great taste in gear.
He is really naturally skilled, and has great taste in gear.
25 yrs old been playing guitar in my band for 3 years now. And is a good bass player, started on bass. Proud of him and his sister plays tenor sax with me in church. Proud of her. I’m a lucky and blessed man.
No kids of my own, but I have two stepsons. The oldest played guitar for a few years, then lost interest. The youngest played violin and piano briefly, then switched to tenor sax in junior high and high school, but hasn't played at all since graduation. Neither of them ever expressed any interest in bass, even though they both grew up watching and hearing me play. My Wife has said she'd like to learn to play bass, but would want a short scale (she already plays violin and piano, and some guitar).
I have several friends whose children play, some even in the same band with their parents. Only two of them, though, are bass players ... and both are girls.
I have several friends whose children play, some even in the same band with their parents. Only two of them, though, are bass players ... and both are girls.
My daughter (13) flirted with taking up electric bass a couple years ago. But my encouragement suddenly made it not-cool. Then she surprised me with taking up double bass in school this past Fall. THAT was her idea, so it was cool. Now she's slowly warming up to the idea of electric again. What's frightening is we have some genres we both like and she loves to talk/analyze the music with me. Probably the only thing we agree upon.
My son (17) loves orchestral percussion (won't touch a drum kit) and plays in school as well as with a handful of community orchestras with his mother (oboe/English horn). So, yeah, we kind of all play music with our kids in one way or another.
