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I need an advice

#22
Mustaineisbro said:
ello, i don't know if this is an appropiate place to ask, but i have (a bit silly) probably question.
So i've been thinking about learning bass and i preffer 5 string basses, but the problem is that, as a girl, i have rather small hands. I mean they are not super small, but still. Would that be a problem with 5 string bass? Does it have much wider neck than 4 string one?
And also do you think it's a stupid idea to go for a left handed one? I wouldn't do it because i'm left handed (which i'm not) but because i have shorter 5th metacarpal as a birth deffect on left hand and this makes my pinky kinda useless (i really struggle while playing right handed guitar)
Sorry if my questions are stupid, I'd just really want someone's opinion on this.
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If you are going to go 5 string i would look into an Ibanez bass. Alternatively you can tune your 4 string B-E-A-D instead of E-A-D-G. I play lefty because my right hand is more flexible than my left, the only way you are going to know if it is going to work for you or not is to play a lefty and see if it is comfortable. All the best!
 
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#23
I would still get a right hand bass, playing with three fingers on your left hand is rather common, actually, it should not be a problem. The issue with a 5 string vs. a 4 string is more about how much the instrument weighs, than the number of strings, there are plenty of light weight, smaller 4 strings, most 5 strings are large, and weigh a lot, the B string plays better on a longer scale, making for a larger bass.
 
#24
Get an instructor, if possible. He or she can help you figure out the technique, and also help you determine what kind of bass would be most appropriate... I think here, we're just guessing...

But my guess would be, either a shorter scale righty bass, or any lefty bass. It may be hard to switch if you're already playing right handed guitar... But aside your pinky issue, as others have said, you can get used to anything. However, a smaller instrument may encourage you more to play?
 
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#25
Mustaineisbro said:
ello, i don't know if this is an appropiate place to ask, but i have (a bit silly) probably question.
So i've been thinking about learning bass and i preffer 5 string basses, but the problem is that, as a girl, i have rather small hands. I mean they are not super small, but still. Would that be a problem with 5 string bass? Does it have much wider neck than 4 string one?
And also do you think it's a stupid idea to go for a left handed one? I wouldn't do it because i'm left handed (which i'm not) but because i have shorter 5th metacarpal as a birth deffect on left hand and this makes my pinky kinda useless (i really struggle while playing right handed guitar)
Sorry if my questions are stupid, I'd just really want someone's opinion on this.
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm going to address each thing as I read it:

1. No silly questions, especially when starting out.

2. Awesome! Always good to see someone looking to pick up the bass and hold down the groove.

3. The stretch for a fiver could always be a bit much for small hands. Tim Commerford (bassist for Rage Against the Machine) always plays a four strung like the lowest four on a five (BEAD). He isn't the only one, many of us here do the same, myself included on one of mine. It's a great way to get the earth shaking lows without giving up the feel of a four banger.

4. It's not stupid at all to go lefty. I have a guitarist friend who is left handed and plays right. Once (25 years ago) I made the comment, "Man, imagine how good you'd be if you'd played left handed." He said, "Dude... I'd be as good as I am right now. I mean... I've never known anything different." Also, I once knew a man who had been involved in a mining accident and lost his left ring and pinkie finger. He wanted to learn to play bass. I begged him to just start left handed because it wouldn't be an issue. He refused. He wound up discouraged and quit.

5. Refer to answer #1. Hope I helped.
 
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#26
A possible reason for playing 5 string instead of 4 is that you can play in the middle of the fretboard instead of being stuck near the nut. For example, play G on the 8th fret on the B string instead of the 3rd string on the E string. This would be an advantage for someone with small hands. I have small-ish hands and when I play 5 string, I rarely play below 5th fret unless it's one of those handful (literally 5) of notes on the low end of the B string. Not only is the space between notes smaller in the middle range, but the angle of wrist and elbow are much more comfortable in the range between about 5th fret and about 12th fret (depending on instrument, player, etc.). Of course, this is a vote for a full scale (~34" scale) instrument rather than a mid- or short- scale instrument. I think a short scale 5 string would have a harder time producing good tone on lower notes, but I'm sure there are exceptions.

I would pay a lot of attention to string spacing, and not get a bass that is too wide.

As for playing left handed, the only disadvantage that I can think of is that there are fewer options for left handed instruments. But you just need a bass that works for you, not a collection. When you first pick up the instrument, your fingers will feel like wet noodles regardless of if it's right handed or left handed. Then you'll practice and be able to express yourself with whichever you choose.
 
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#27
I see women and smaller men playing a string bass, which is what - 41" scale, so your size should not be an issue. As to playing left handed, you need to try and see if it is comfortable - often one side will seem much more "normal". Remember, it is a lot easier finding right hand instruments (the reason I play bass, and golf, right hand although I am lefty).

I would not use a bass uke as my main instrument - kind of limits you playing with others - it's tough enough if you get a left hand bass.
 
#28
buldog5151bass said:
I see women and smaller men playing a string bass, which is what - 41" scale, so your size should not be an issue.
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Mustaineisbro said:
And also do you think it's a stupid idea to go for a left handed one? I wouldn't do it because i'm left handed (which i'm not) but because i have shorter 5th metacarpal as a birth deffect on left hand and this makes my pinky kinda useless (i really struggle while playing right handed guitar)
Click to expand...

I don't think the size of her hands is the greater of the two issues she's attempting to address. If she struggles playing a regular guitar right handed, perhaps it's time to re-evaluate.
 
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#29
JimmyM said:
I'm a guy with the smallest hands of any male I've ever seen, and I can handle a long scale 5 with wide string spacing no problem. You can get them with narrow spacing and shorter necks as well, and that's fine if it feels better to you, but you can get used to anything, and it's all about your technique, not the build.
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+1
Same for me, male with small hands but no problem with scales (I'm a double bass player!) or wide spacing.
Try many basses, ask some teachers. And having a good teacher is very very helpful.
If you play guitar right handed could seem quite strange becoming a left handed bass player.
It's up to you!
Welcome on board.
 
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#35
i would stick with a slightly short to normal scale ... ( 30 - 34 ) i'd play a few right'left handed basses if you can ,... might help you choose which will feel better ... But ... right or left handed is also a brain thing ..!!

i have played a long time ,.. 50+ yrs of piano , 40+ on bass ... arthritis is really beginning to be an issue at the age of 58 .!! so i've found the rather normal 34" feels good ... and longer just hurts .. and the shape of the neck actually makes a difference for me ... the asymmetrical backside of my Warmoth necks feels really comfy ..!!

when you try different basses ... make note of their neck specs ..! then you can shop online for used/new after you figure out where your comfort zone is .!

you have very good questions ..!! keep it up
 
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#37
Another vote for Ibanez, especial for slightly narrower string spacing and neck width. But I strongly advise that you play a lot of different basses and go with what's most comfortable for you. That doesn't sound scientific, but it's always true.

As for left-handed vs right-handed; it sounds like you've got a valid reason for thinking going lefty might work better for you; especially if you struggle to play guitar righty. You will adapt, it will be fine. There are plenty of right-handed people who learned to play left-handed. The biggest problem you're likely to run into in the long run is the smaller selection of left-handed instruments.

Good luck.
 
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#39
ThePresident777 said:
Not really a problem. There are many women bass players. Everybody has trouble playing bass compared to playing guitar if they play bass like a guitar.
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Yeah, but i don't even like guitar that much, i just tought it'd be a good idea to learn it.
And yes I agree that it shouldn't be a problem regarding a hand you play with, since you never choose which side you play your flute/cello/whatever on
(the problem is limited selection of left handed basses I suppose...)
 
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#40
two fingers said:
Hey and Welcome to TalkBass!

First off, not a silly question. Once you have been here a while you will learn what a real silly question is. ;)

YouTube Victor Wooten. He stands at pretty much 5 feet tall and has the smallest hands I have ever seen on a grown man. I have held my hand up to his. My fingers are almost a solid inch longer than his. And he does bass acrobatics on every kind of bass you can imagine.....even a full sized upright.

I am left handed and play right handed. When first starting out your hands are going to feel as though you have hotdogs hanging off of them that refuse to obey your commands. So which way you strap it on won't matter. :D

Ibanez basses are known own for skinny necks. There should be quite a few available left handed.

Learning anything new is all in your head. There was a guy who used to make the rounds on TV shows and toured the world playing guitar......with his feet. He was born with no arms and just figured it out. Jeff Healey was born blind and figured out how to playing hot lead guitar in his lap! This is not intended as a lecture, rather an inspirational pep talk. You got this! You just haven't figured out how yet.
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Thanks, that really is encouraging and i indeed am starting to realise that hand size shouldn't be a problem at all.

And i am looking forward to my fingers feeling as hotdogs! That sounds funny haha.
 
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