Is there a way I can play bass with my frets a bit too far apart?

finger stretcher works pretty good, check amazon health section

 

Try tuning down to D standard (DGCF) and putting a capo on the 2nd fret. Voila! Instant "short scale!"

 

You’re going to have to give a better description that that. If your frets are too far apart, there is no help other than major reconstruction.

 

Move your hand a little when you play? It’s can be difficult even for someone with adult sized hands to fret perfectly in first position, but I’ve seen some ridiculously small children playing full sized, long scale basses better than I can on YouTube. Improvise, adapt, and overcome.

 

Or pick up a short scale bass.

 

Practice, build technique.

 

You could also look into short-scale basses. Here’s an article on them with some examples.
Top 10 Best Short Scale Bass Guitars in 2020

 

Don't stretch, learn to shift. Get a good teacher.

 

Ha ha ha ha. How about the wood condenser from Trimatix?

 

Hi Ari, welcome to TalkBass.

I sense you're a beginner to bass, yes?

What you are experiencing is the scale of the neck, probably a standard 34" scale.
There are basses with shorter scale, 30" for example. That makes a huge difference in the spacing of the frets. Basically, the 1st fret of a 30" is the 3rd on a 34".

You have to practice, maybe use 1-2-4 finger technique instead of trying to use 1-2-3-4 fingers on the fretting hand.

I see you are a girl. Although that doesn't mean anything, of course, but if your fingers and hand are smaller, you'll have to move your hand more often.

 

Yeah, yeah, and yeah. Capo will "turn" your bass into a shorter scale, so to speak. Detune, clamp it on and go. Or get a shorter scale bass. Typical is 34" nut to bridge, based on Fender design I think(?). But there are options for 30", 32", and others. And stretching exercises, and move your hand.
Since you sound like you're pretty new don't get discouraged. You can get a capo for pretty low cost, many are under $10. Put it under 2nd fret and you'll notice a huge difference. Or you can be 6'4 and have 37 size sleeves and be able to palm a basketball. Your choice.

 

Agree with developing a technique using more shifting. Trying to make your fingers stretch where they can't is asking for trouble down the road.

 

@Ari Isaac

I struggled with this at first due to short stubby fingers. Once you get use to the instrument and get a good technique, it will become second nature

The suggestion for a good instructor is advice you should heed

 

There is not much difference in a short 30" scale 4 string and a long 34" scale.
But different shaped necks can be more difficult also for thumb and palm placement.
An using the 1-2-4 finger technique can be easier, but need to be able to move your hand.

I too have stubby fingers. I just have learned to compensate.
BTW the 1-2-4 finger technique is common for upright bassists.

 

Definitely learn to shift positions.
Find a teacher who will take you through the Simandl method book for double bass. Or go through it yourself.
But no matter what, you can expect a period of time spent on building up technique. The thing doesn't play itself!

 

All of my basses feel different, and like the frets are differently spaced, even though they are the same scale length.
My P bass is the worst of these, and I've only been playing that one lately... It definitely feels more comfortable to play the more I play it.

You may just need to play it more.

 

practice, practice, practice.

i'm 5' 3", and i used to play a long scale bass. the more i played, the faster i got. i didn't do scales - i just played songs.

or get an ibanez mikro with a much shorter scale or a 30" scale bass - you can absolutely feel the difference. but even on a short scale, more practice means more speed.

 

A giant compared to Suzi Quatro