Members Gizzmo0815 Posted August 29, 2008 Members Share Posted August 29, 2008 So I've played guitar for several years now and have recently started to get a bit more serious about it (mostly I picked up the guitar to impress chicks in high school like so many others I'm sure). But I never really devoted a ton of time to it. I know enough to teach a very novice player though and here's where my issue is. My wife has recently expressed interest in playing guitar but she's got pretty small hands and finds chords hard to do and some of the stretches are too much for her on the regular guitar. I suggested that she try playing a bass guitar since you don't really play too many chords, but if you've got a fast hand you can get pretty good and she seemed interested (plus the idea of my wife with a bass is kinda hot ). I've never played bass (other than just noodling around with it) so I'm not sure I would know where to start with showing her the basics. Any suggestions on where to start? Anything from what type of equipment (guitar/amp) to techniques and whatnot. I haven't thrown out the idea of taking lessons from a pro yet, but that's an option as well. But I thought it might be a fun thing for us to do together. Also she said she was worried about starting "so late in life" but she's only 25...I said that was silly... Thanks for any good info you fine people might have for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poomwah Posted August 29, 2008 Members Share Posted August 29, 2008 its never too late :] and my biggest suggestion is to never be afraid to experiment. tell her not to feel like she is confined by certain limits, or rules. if it feel good and sounds good, do it again :] if it doesn't work, use it as a learning experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les_Izzmor Posted August 29, 2008 Members Share Posted August 29, 2008 If you can lessons are always a good place to start. If not. First teach proper technique, then some finger exercises (chromatic scales, whole steps, 1 1/2 steps). Then move on to some scales. Also doing these with a metronome isn't a bad idea either. Once she's comfortable playing scales teach her some standard blues progressions. Early on the most important thing is to get comfortable with the bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Playerunk Posted August 30, 2008 Members Share Posted August 30, 2008 for lessons you could try the eMedia bass mehod (not trying to advertize) it's preety nice and has videos so you can get a beter grasp on what hes saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BlueEcho811 Posted August 30, 2008 Members Share Posted August 30, 2008 http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Guitar-Dummies-Patrick-Pfeiffer/dp/0764524879/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220138474&sr=8-1This book is how I taught myself bass... it really covers all the bases and you might even learn some stuff from it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Muddslide Posted August 30, 2008 Members Share Posted August 30, 2008 Get her a small scale bass like a Fender Mustang. Squier is making an inexpensive Bronco bass that gets good reviews. Same scale as the 'stang. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members poomwah Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Get her a small scale bass like a Fender Mustang. Squier is making an inexpensive Bronco bass that gets good reviews. Same scale as the 'stang. or if she wants even smaller the ibanez micro is only a few inches longer than a guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richy Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 First teach proper technique, then some finger exercises (chromatic scales, whole steps, 1 1/2 steps). Then move on to some scales. Also doing these with a metronome isn't a bad idea either. Once she's comfortable playing scales teach her some standard blues progressions. Early on the most important thing is to get comfortable with the bass. I would probably come at it from the opposite direction. I'd hate to start playing scales to a metronome. Pick a couple of songs you like, get some half decent tab, and jam along. Whilst good technique is....erm....good, feeling like it's fun is more important early on. Making her feel like it's work may very well put her off altogether. That said, I probably take this theory to extremes, and have no real concept of what a scale even is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gonzobassman Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Tell her to learn,and understand where every note lies on the neck of that bass! The rest will come easier if she knows where she is going,and where she has been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zamfir Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Not too late to start. I didn't pick up guitar until age 15. Bass when I was 31. If she loves it, she'll learn it, regardless of age. Before you or she go buying instruments, maybe have her write down or otherwise identify clearly what instruments / sounds ( / rhythms?) she loves the most, and why. The idea is to tap into her motivation to pick up music, so she can hear what she loves. Are you sure she would prefer bass over guitar? Methinks it's the crucial time to *listen* to what she's trying to tell you, closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrcrow Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 learn the first octave..12 frets..note namesplay songs with roots only making rhythm more important than riffskeep the thumb on the back of the neck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members way2fat Posted August 31, 2008 Members Share Posted August 31, 2008 Timing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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