Evolution of a bass player

[ilan]

My 11 years old son has started taking double bass lessons, I thought I'd post some pics...

Alon at 6 months old (top left), 2 years old (top right), 9 years old (center) and 11 years old (bottom).




Can he say "horseshoe" and "toaster" already? 

[Blazer]

You must be so proud of him.

Anyway, as somebody who works in a workshop with double basses, I feel it's my duty to tell you about the existence of half sized Double basses meant for children. They are smaller than a normal upright bass but are tuned the normal way. Your boy looks like he must struggle to reach the lower notes on the upright.

This man is playing a half sized bass, showing how much smaller they are than a full sized bass, it'll be perfect for your boy

Maybe you ought to get your son one of them so playing one won't be as hard on him.

Just some friendly advice

[Highlander]

Nice... I had to use a stool at school... 

[uwe]

Can he say "horseshoe" and "toaster" already? 

[ilan]

... half sized Double basses meant for children

Thanks Blazer, that's good advice. We are getting him a quality 1/2-size upright as a rental, it's getting a set-up now and should be ready for him next week.

Can he say "horseshoe" and "toaster" already?  

Does this answer your question?

[ilan]

OK just one more...

[Rhythm N. Bliss]

Happy for you & your son!! Must be great to get started so young on bass!!!

[Freuds_Cat]

Nice to see the evolution Ilan.  

Here is my 4 year old son Nicholas.





Its interesting watching these kids that grow up with musical instruments all around them. Most of my musician friends (which is about 50% of all my friends) have kids older than Nicholas and watching them take access to quality instruments totally for granted seems to give them a musical self confidence that I really envy.

I dont know of any of these kids being pushed into playing. But the quality of musicianship from  almost all of them is quite amazing.

[Barklessdog]

Great kids!

Bass players regenerate!

[ilan]

Cute kid! He looks very happy with his bass. What is the earliest age a kid can really start playing bass?

Yep, for a growing child, access to quality instruments is a blessing. We are lucky we can give our kids the gift of music.   

I kinda envy my son for taking upright lessons, I wanted to join but then I realized I have to let him fly solo this time. We are also getting him a good (electric) bass teacher, a local prominent jazz bassist that will take him from the Beatles and Rage Against the Machine drop-D riffs to some jazz walking bass lines. I taught him for two years but it's healthier if he has a "real" teacher now.

[Freuds_Cat]

I teach students myself but have chosen that when (and if) he decides to learn properly, then he will go to his uncle Scotty (my closest mate). Who is a producer in his day job but apart from being an excellent guitar player has toured the world as a bass player.

2 reasons for this. 1. Scotty has a wider scope in his playing than me and 2. I think its important to give my son a bit of room to enjoy it as he sees fit. Even though I would try my hardest not to push him in certain directions if I taught him, I dont think that its possible (for me at least) not to.

[godofthunder]

Great pictures guys ! it is so cool when your children want to follow your path ! Here is our daughter Charlotte just last night playing at here final 6th grade jazz band concert. Proud ? Oh yeah !

[uwe]

You're still not giving her your Gibbies or that JD I note ...

My son demands that I loan Gibbies to him. "Don't you feel bad and guilty leaving me with an Ibanez?!!!"

[Freuds_Cat]

I think the level of guilt is directly proportional to the number of basses you have available? 

[ilan]

I'm not sure a child should start playing on a Gibbie... I started with a neck-heavy bass (Hofner 500/1 back when it was the cheapest bass you could buy) and it's bad for left-hand technique.

godofthunder: great pic!