My 8yr old wants to play upright Bass

[BassMom118]

Hi:

My 8yr old will be entering 4th grade and its that time to pick an instrument. He has decided Upright Bass. When I was in school we didn't have the choice of string instruments…Love that this is what he seems to be determined to learn, as I have gentle tried to sway him, more so to be sure it wasn't just a yeah I'll play that one... I do want him to play his instrument of choice…just wondering if any advice you may have, as I would like to help him hold his interest as learning this instrument may be difficult…

He is very eager, and has asked to start over the summer, so now also looking into lessons and instrument rental…or if can find a used bass at a reasonable price, but again, I am not knowledgeable on the instrument and not sure what to look for. I have emailed the Orchestra teacher at his school just haven't received a response yet…

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Depending on where you are - most larger metropolitan areas will have luthiers/shops that deal specifically (if not exclusively) with bass, they will generally have an instrument rental program. I'd stay away from on-line purchase unless you're in the middle of nowhere (and even then, you're going to need to establish a relationship with a luthier/shop if you're in it for the long run). Like most things, you get what you pay for. A cheaply made instrument is not going to hold value the way a solidly built instrument will. Depending on your child's size, you may be looking at getting a half size instrument. But I wouldn't recommend going smaller than that. If they are small enough that you are thinking about a quarter size instrument, you might want to think about starting out on cello.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I second the cello recommendation. He can always switch to bass as he continues to grow. The instruments are tuned differently, but young brains are malleable.

My daughter is going to be seven this summer, and she's a beanpole. She's not even close to having the height or hand size necessary to play even a fun-size bass. So she continues to stand in front of it and practice her bow technique.

 

[Bisounourse]

In contrast with what is stated by Ed Fuqua and Kung Fu Sherrif, I'd stay clear from cello.

I am one of those that got told 'you're hands are to small, you should start out on cello and later on you can get to double bass'; I played it for 7 years (and I wasn't half that bad at it) before making the transition to Double Bass (the instrument I wanted to play all along). The transition is more difficult than one would think; different tuning of the instrument, slightly different left hand techniques (no third finger in the lower positions), the feel of bowing is totally different,... To make a long story short; I took me about a year to adapt to the new instrument (being 14 years old when I started on Double Bass, I think I was malleable, but then again...).

But; this is only my experience, and experiences might differ.

 

[ErikvanD]

My daughter started in 2013 at the age of 7 on a tiny 1/16th bass, an instrument the size of a cello but a real bass all the same. She wanted to play the bass and not the cello. So far she totally loves it and is now, almost 9, ready for a larger instrument. Soon I'm going to the guy we rent the 1/16th bass from to try a 1/8th or maybe even a 1/4th size bass. With the small sizes available these days, I see no need to start on cello. My teacher totally agrees. He DID start on cello and still regrets the fact that when he was young such small basses were not available...

 

[old spice]

For Sale - 1/4-size Kay | TalkBass.com

 

[semiprohooker]

This thread is not exactly what I was expecting.... I thought we were having a conversation on deodorant, my bad.

 

[PNeher]

Some interesting advice here. I started on cello when 8 years old, then switched to bass when 14. Now I am learning cello again, at 56! And I love knowing both instruments. Start your child with whichever he feels, physically and aurally, comfortable with. And, yes, do not put water on that musical fire! Best!