Starting to Learn bass thoughts

[Lynsey]

Hi Guys - I really need some advice/guidance/thoughts. Recently I've discovered John Mayer and been to 3 UK concerts, and you know when sometimes the planets line up and it's the right time to do something, this is now - I'm completely blown away by the sounds a guitar can make when previously it was just noise. I dont want to play the guitar - everyone does that, I love Pino on the bass, I love the funky sound it makes so I want to try and learn. My dilemma I'm a nearly 50 year old 5' 1.5" woman. with quite small hands, (I need extra shims to reach the brakes from the drops on my road bike). My inner monologue currently is - why not, I'm 50 in January, make it a 50th year challenge - but what if I can't do it - buy a 2nd hand set on ebay and give it a go, who cares but you. Am I setting up to fail - anyone got any thoughts so I dont screw it up from day one and end up hating it. Thanks

 

[Oddly]

Welcome!
Age, sex, height or hand size should be no barrier...Tina Weymouth from Talking Heads being one excellent example you could follow.
These days there are plenty of inexpensive basses to get started on...if you can, visit some music stores, try whatever they have, see what feels right, maybe come back with your impressions of them.
Best wishes!

 

[Rev12_11]

Welcome Lynsey,

I started bass at 54. Hand size may not be an issue at all. Try a few basses and see which feels comfortable and practice.

Enjoy!

 

[hrodbert696]

You'll be fine. People start at all ages. As far as being petite goes, people often assume that because they're smaller they need a smaller instrument - not necessarily the case. There are plenty of petite women out there who play full-scale basses and rock them.

What I would recommend, rather than buying an instrument (especially a used one) sight-unseen off the internet, is to head to a guitar store and start trying things out. Buying a used bass when you're a beginner and don't know what you're looking at puts you at risk of buying someone else's problem, without a return policy. See what works for you. There's no one "right" bass, but each is a little different - whether the necks are slim or thick, how they balance, etc. Ask the store to lend you a strap and actually try it on, same as you would clothes. Pick the one you like the best, and that you can afford.

 

[Paulabass]

Hand size isn't an issue for anybody. Just raise your strap so you aren't reaching around the neck.
Fifty is a great time to learn!! Music makes you smarter, delays or eliminates dementia, and if you stay away from TalkBass is cheaper than therapy.

 

[ronin614]

These videos should allay any fears that your size will be a detriment to your playing.

 

[LBS-bass]

Yep, what they said. When I first started I thought I need a smaller bass, so I bought a short scale bass and I was never happy with it. Then I watched a popular player in my town who was a little guy with hands smaller than mine, and he was all over the neck like a champ. I realized it's not the instrument size or the hand size, it's how hard you work. I bought a standard scale bass and have not played a short scale since.

That said, you should definitely get what seems comfortable for you. Technology has come a long way since I first started and short scales are much better than they were then. You can definitely do this at your age.

 

[Malcolm35]

I two have small hands, so if needed, I slide into a note.
It is important that you know what needs to be done then go about doing it the best way you can.

As long as you get to the needed note before the music goes off and leaves you, you have done what needs doing. IMO.

 

[Oddly]

I two have small hands, so if needed, I slide into a note.
It is important that you know what needs to be done then go about doing it the best way you can.

As long as you get to the needed note before the music goes off and leaves you, you have done what needs doing. IMO.

Yeah, don't get drawn in to the whole 0ne-Finger-Per-Fret school of thought.
It's nowhere near the absolute rule it sometimes gets presented as, and striving to achieve it has probably turned off many prospective players.

 

[Duncan Phillips]

After playing keyboards semi professionally for over 30 years , I took up the Bass at 54 years of age .
I also have small hands .
Initially, I bought a budget priced jazz bass copy .
I found it perfect for my wee fingers .
Once I was hooked on learning bass , I bought a Fender Jazz Bass.
I'm now 68 years of age, and honestly , it has given me a new lease of life.

 

[MrLenny1]

Go for it. Plenty of short scale basses that will fit you.
I highly recommend lessons. It will save you months & years
of poking around by yourself.

 

[Deleted member 349741]

Welcome, Lynsey. If playing the bass guitar is what you want to do then go for it! Age is relative.

 

[Lynsey]

So I’ve gone for it. Not many shops near me with an affordable choice so I have a second hand Peavey with rocket amp for £60. Never been used, bought for a grandchild on a whim. Have a trial lesson on Thursday night. I’ve been doing some YouTube tutorials and I’m truly awful but can only get better

 

[Deleted member 349741]

That is great, Lynsey! Just think every time you play the bass you are getting better every day!

 

[Lynsey]

So I had my assessment lesson and I can make a sound, apparently I’ve hit the first marker and on to the next on. My teacher has said, in a nice way, that everything I do currently is practice, so I’m going to try to learn a bit of a song before 28 November

 

[Deleted member 349741]

That is great, Lynsey! To me it’s all about practice but knowing that you are getting better all the time. Even playing a song is still practicing in a way. Just keep going.

~M

 

[Oddly]

Great to hear your first lesson went well ... keep it going, and most importantly, keep it fun.

 

[SunByrne]

I had never played an instrument of any kind before April 2019 at age 49. Smallish hands. Don't let age or size be a barrier! They might make learning a little bit slower, but they won't stop you—don't be deterred, it's actually great fun!