Double Bass Teaching bass to an 8 year old

[Gregmak]

Hi everyone,

I recently started teaching the double bass to an 8 year old kid. I don't know how it's possible, but this kid really loves the double bass! We had 4 lessons so far, and all I've done is show him how to hold the German bow (holding it like a French bow for now), and letting him play open strings. He seems like a smart kid, and learns things fast. He can already get a steady tone on his 1/2 size bass on the D & A strings.

Now, I'm not sure how to proceed with introducing the left hand to him. Even the 1/2 size bass is a little big for him. I would be really grateful if anyone has some tips, because I'm actually really enjoying teaching this kid. He really wants to learn.

Also, I was thinking of introducing the Suzuki method. I studied some of the Suzuki stuff a couple of years ago, and it seems like a great way to start learning the bass. Do you guys agree? Or is there a better way?

Any tips are welcome. Thank you!

Greg

 

[turf3]

Hi everyone,

I recently started teaching the double bass to an 8 year old kid. I don't know how it's possible, but this kid really loves the double bass! We had 4 lessons so far, and all I've done is show him how to hold the German bow (holding it like a French bow for now), and letting him play open strings. He seems like a smart kid, and learns things fast. He can already get a steady tone on his 1/2 size bass on the D & A strings.

Now, I'm not sure how to proceed with introducing the left hand to him. Even the 1/2 size bass is a little big for him. I would be really grateful if anyone has some tips, because I'm actually really enjoying teaching this kid. He really wants to learn.

Also, I was thinking of introducing the Suzuki method. I studied some of the Suzuki stuff a couple of years ago, and it seems like a great way to start learning the bass. Do you guys agree? Or is there a better way?

Any tips are welcome. Thank you!

Greg

If I recall correctly, it seems like the Suzuki bass books start (or maybe it's an option) up near thumb position, so the stretches are small enough a little kid could manage them. Check it out. The only other thing I can think of would be making sure of a low string height; I don't think 8 year old hands are very strong.

 

[Steve Freides]

@Gregmak, welcome.

I teach a fair number of children. I decided to own and rent out to my students because it's just too difficult to find a right-sized bass, and IMHO, one of the biggest reasons kids quit playing any instrument is because they simply don't have the right size.

I own a 1/10 size (same size as a cello), a 1/8 size, and a few 1/4 size basses, plus a 1/2 and several 3/4. As a general guideline, a 1/4 size bass seems to work for most 5th graders. I bought the 1/10 size to teach a particularly small 4th grader, who played that his first year, played a 1/8 size in 5th grade, and is now big enough for 1/4 size.

8 years old is about 3rd grade, and I would suggest a 1/8 size as the biggest you might have him play. 1/2 size is much too big. Consider using a cello and tuning it like a bass (but an octave higher, of course).

IMHO, 8 is old enough to begin more or less traditional instruction and you don't need Suzuki. IMHO, there is much to be learned from how Suzuki teachers teach, but I consider what they do only part of what I do, and I would never teach a student without a significant focus on reading music.

Best of luck to you and to your student.

-S-

 

[Gregmak]

@Gregmak, welcome.

I teach a fair number of children. I decided to own and rent out to my students because it's just too difficult to find a right-sized bass, and IMHO, one of the biggest reasons kids quit playing any instrument is because they simply don't have the right size.

I own a 1/10 size (same size as a cello), a 1/8 size, and a few 1/4 size basses, plus a 1/2 and several 3/4. As a general guideline, a 1/4 size bass seems to work for most 5th graders. I bought the 1/10 size to teach a particularly small 4th grader, who played that his first year, played a 1/8 size in 5th grade, and is now big enough for 1/4 size.

8 years old is about 3rd grade, and I would suggest a 1/8 size as the biggest you might have him play. 1/2 size is much too big. Consider using a cello and tuning it like a bass (but an octave higher, of course).

IMHO, 8 is old enough to begin more or less traditional instruction and you don't need Suzuki. IMHO, there is much to be learned from how Suzuki teachers teach, but I consider what they do only part of what I do, and I would never teach a student without a significant focus on reading music.

Best of luck to you and to your student.

-S-

Hi Steve,

Thank you for that! Unfortunately, finding a bass here (Cyprus) is already very difficult, and the parents got the 1/2 size bass through a school. They can't afford to pay for a bass. So I have to work with what they're giving me.

What books to you recommend for reading music at this age? I own the Simandl Bass books 1 & 2.

Thank you again.

Greg

 

[Steve Freides]

I'm not a Simandl fan, especially not for kids. I use a series called The ABC's of Bass, volumes 1 and 2, and then another book by the same author after that. Please consider the cello idea.

-S-

 

[Gregmak]

Thank you Steve, will look into it.

 

[neilG]

I've done is show him how to hold the German bow (holding it like a French bow for now),
Greg

Why? There are half size and maybe smaller bows he can use. I would use the right grip for the bow.

 

[Gregmak]

Why? There are half size and maybe smaller bows he can use. I would use the right grip for the bow.

Hey man, I'm waiting for his parents to buy him a bow. So for now he's just holding mine, and it's to heavy to hold it with a German grip.

 

[neilG]

Hey man, I'm waiting for his parents to buy him a bow. So for now he's just holding mine, and it's to heavy to hold it with a German grip.

Sounds like a plan. My first teacher in public school had me hold a German bow like a French bow because he didn't know how to hold it. Luckily I got a private teacher early on who corrected that.

 

[wathaet]

Hi Steve,

Thank you for that! Unfortunately, finding a bass here (Cyprus) is already very difficult, and the parents got the 1/2 size bass through a school. They can't afford to pay for a bass. So I have to work with what they're giving me.

What books to you recommend for reading music at this age? I own the Simandl Bass books 1 & 2.

Thank you again.

Greg

Caroline Emery har a good book you should get.

 

[Gregmak]

Caroline Emery har a good book you should get.

Thanks, will check it out!

 

[chilensko]

Thanks, will check it out!

I now that some teachers start with 4th position (C with first finger) or 6th position (D first finger) because is easier and you don't to stretch your fingers a lot like in half position.

 

[bass183]

Hey, I realize this is a slightly older thread, but I thought I add to it for future readers who are also tackling the issue of instruction with smaller kids. I made the mistake of using Simandl to an 11 boy who had been playing electric bass for several years and had recently started playing upright in his school band. I wish I had read Steve Freides post back then. Here's my recommendation, in addition to what Steve posted above. Jason Heath has an entire blog about double bass & bass pedagogy. One of his posts he wrote about his journey teaching young students. I highly recommend looking for that particular post. In a nutshell, he recommends starting the student at the neck block rather than at the half position by the nut. He also recommends staying away from Simandl. It's just too dry for young students. I believe he recommended using a Geroge Vance book. I wish I had the link to that post. You will need to dig for it on his site. Maybe send him an email? Either way, his blog has all kinds of great nuggets of wisdom.