Conference napalm::guitar

    I've seen some (I think) 3/4-size basses with scale lengths like
    27" or 30" (vs. regular scale length of 34", I think) . I played 
    one at Mr. C's a few months back and it felt almost like playing 
    a guitar. Deinately better than a full-size bass for small hands.
    
    -Dave
    
    p.s. my wife is teaching one guitar student who is 7 years old and
    plays a 3/4 size nylon-string guitar. His hands seem big enough.

<<1)  Is there any general concensus on how large a child's hand should 
<<be before he should attempt to play bass?  Tim is 7 years old, but big for his 
<<age.  Will this just be an exercise in frustration for him?

I don't think so.  the desire to play will compensate any physical
short coming.. (Think about Def Lepard's drummer, think about Bethoven!)

My hands are small, but it hasn't hurt me.. (you adjust to your own environment)

<<2)  A couple of weeks ago I saw a bass in (I think) Tewksbury Music that
<<looked somewhat smaller.  It seemed like it might be an ideal size for him.  I
<<don't recall the make (Aria maybe?).  It was only $99, too.  Any warnings I 
<<should heed?


$99 dollar invenstment for a student bass..

you probably can't do much better than that..

My son (10 now.) has two 3/4 scale.. One acoustic,,( agian, the nylon
style) and a HONDO electric. I think I paid about that for the hondo ($90.00)

b.t.w..
I can vouche for the Hondo for beginners,,, they make dandy guitars
for early learners.  Affordable,. but more important, adjustable
bridges, and truss rods in the neck.. I don't know much about the student
Arais, but I'd assume they're fine too.
	
<<3)  Any suggestions on how to begin teaching him?  Are scales the best
<<way to start?  How do you keep bass interesting for someone starting out?

Scales are good for dextertiy, but probably not too exciting. Add to
that a beginner will find it hard to traverse the neck so if you do start 
him out  on scales, start him out on portions of scales only.  Show him
a song or two,, pick an easy one..  (my son flipped out when he found
he could play the riff in Grapevine!!!)

You may want to consider hooking up with a teacher for a few months. (I know he
is young..)   But a teacher will provide some direction that maybe you wouldn't
think of.  Plus, (in my experience with my son) he may listen to an instructor,
and follow through on a lesson better than with 'Dad'.  (my kid just didn't
take my teaching too seriously, but with a teacher, it would seem that the
kid was trying to get the teachers attention, and so doing by learning what
was assigned.....  the little stain is off on drum lessons now...  Geeshe..
how much more can Dad afford!  [Drums are really expensive...])

if you do try a teacher;

I'd just tell the teacher that you're trying to 'start him out' you want to try
a half dozen lessons to see what happens.  (set his expectation so he
can set the lessons up accordingly  A good teacher would like to know
where you're (The parent, eg. guy paying for the lesson) coming from anyway.

I wounld'nt expect Tim to set the world on fire.  The notion to play will come
and go.  By the time he's 11/12, is when a more serious devotion to an
instrument will occourr.. Right now, nintendo and Micro Machines are
vastly more important!

hey, good luck.

    I've been thinking of starting to teach my son also.  He's 5 but will
    be 6 next month.  He's also showing an interest in the guitar, despite
    his mother's persuasion toward the piano. ;-) 

    He likes to play with my Fender & Kitty, and I encourage him.  I was
    just afraid he might be too young to start, but I guess not.

    Mike

 <<   He likes to play with my Fender & Kitty, and I encourage him.  I was
 <<   just afraid he might be too young to start, but I guess not.


never too young...

never too old!

If he's playin' with it, then he's old enough !

jc 

    A bit late I know, but re .2
    
    I wouldnt recomend hondo to anyone, I can't think of anyone I hate
    that much...
    
    Mine is absolutly knackered, through no fault of my own. I am of
    the opinion it need a complete rewire ect. ect. 
    
    It has always buzzed quite loudly unless touching any metal on it,
    and the pickups have a mind of their own. Tone controls go from
    deadly dull to clangy and tinny, without a nice tone in the middle.
    
    Juju
    xxxx
    Strat Copy Hondo ex owner.....
    
    The only thing I feel hondo's are good for is Jimi Hendrix pyrotechnics
    on stage.
    
    This is opinion.
    
    

    Here in the UK there is a 3/4 size 'Encore' branded bass available.
    It's made in China I think and distributed through JPS in Leeds.
    
    There seems to be quite a demand for them, as I've had real trouble
    getting one for my son.
    
    I note that they are now listed in the latest Argos Superstore
    catalogue.
    
    Can you get replacement strings for them, and how often would you
    normally re-string a bass anyway?
    
    Tim

    ref.7
    
    Made in India!! Maple neck, rosewood frets, wood composite body.