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How early is TOO early

headstrong4

headstrong4

Feb 8, 2010
389
2
indianapolis
#1
so i started playing bass around 15 and always wished i would have started earlier. my son is almost 4 months old now..... so my question is when can they start learning and playing. i want to pick up a short scale pretty soon so when he starts sitting up on his own i can hold it and let him hear the sounds the strings make. he already watches my hands and fingers while i play. am i rushing this??
:hyper:
 
#6
Baby_With_Bass_Guitar.jpg
 
#7
most important than give him an instrument is to expose him to different kind of music and you talk with him about the sounds and music, believe me he always be grateful with you for not only sharing your knowledge about music at early age but for the good moments as dad
 
#10
Yeah, I started at 13. Would like to start any future progeny whenever they would like to. Ideally, I'll get a short scale bass when they're toddlers, and they can start playing it whenever they want. They'll be exposed to music and me playing of course, but I don't want to force it on them like piano lessons were on me....
 
#12
Don't force it. My daughter showed interest at around twelve and I started showing her some things to try. She wanted to try out for her middle school jazz ensemble. Well, that motivation lasted about a week and she gave up. Then again, she doesn't stick with anything she starts. There will be no plans for her bedroom for a very long time I fear.
 
#15
Too young for an instrument? Yes. Too young to absorb sound and music? No. +1 to playing with, and to your child around. They take it as being involved in the music process, so the motivation to play comes very naturally to them later in life. I believe young children benefit more from hearing music and developing a concept, then they would by playing an instrument. BTW, Most of my thoughts on this come from
Victor Wootens tale of how he learned to play as a child. Very compelling, I would recommend researching it.
 
#17
noplayinfool said:
Too young for an instrument? Yes. Too young to absorb sound and music? No. +1 to playing with, and to your child around. They take it as being involved in the music process, so the motivation to play comes very naturally to them later in life. I believe young children benefit more from hearing music and developing a concept, then they would by playing an instrument. BTW, Most of my thoughts on this come from
Victor Wootens tale of how he learned to play as a child. Very compelling, I would recommend researching it.
Click to expand...

Definitely. My kid was listening to Pink Floyd in the womb. My mom says I was listening to music in the womb too, only it was Van Cliburn.
 
#19
Alright. Here's how it's gonna be. Your kid may or may not want to start playing music. If he wants to, start him off at age 8. With piano. Yes, you might want to have him play bass, but it's just ideal to start with piano; it's a great entry-level instrument. From it, he can learn theory as well as start making sounds. Get him a teacher too.
Then, after a few years of piano, ask him if he wants to continue. If he says yes, then great. If he says no, then don't force him. EVER. He'll just hate you for it. Now, back to the yes. If he does say yes, ask him if he wants to learn bass. If he says no, then don't force him or else he'll hate bass, that's how it is. Just let him continue on piano or whatever else he wants to play.
If he does want to continue music and he does want to play bass, then get your wallet out and go to the store to get him an entry-level bass. No need for a Sadowsky or whatever. Just a good beginner entry-level one.

Have fun!
 
#20
~5 is when you could start with "lessons" Anything before that is basically just messing around (unless you have a prodigy)

I let my son (2) "play" with my basses when I'm playing. We'll often enough make up a song. My FIL bought him a drum kit a little while ago so he "drums" with me sometimes too. He's also played around on a keyboard at my father's (also a bass player) and according to my father has a good sense of melody.


everytime he's in my car, he only wants to hear one song- Minnie the Moocher :)
 

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