From guitar to bass and back

[DHW]

My youngest is finishing up 4th grade. She has been taking guitar lessons for a little over a year now and will continue to do so. My oldest is going into 6th grade next year and brought home the paperwork for starting band next year. My youngest was looking over the paperwork and apparently they have started adding electric bass to the concert band in addition to it being a mainstay in jazz band. While she could likely play guitar in jazz band she is very intersted in playing bass in the concert band(guitar probably won't be an option for that group). How hard will it be for her to switch back and forth? I have no bass experience so no idea if I should be encouraging her in this or not. We have a year before she needs to commit but since she will need to be the star player I need to get her started now lol.

 

[Bluesboy998]

Flipping back and forth is not a problem,you have to remember you are laying the foundation for the whole rhythm section you must be in cink with the drums.You have to remember not to play the bass as you would a guitar. My bass player sprained his hand at the gig and I took over on bass it was a total disaster I played guitar runs it doesn't work.I have since learned to discipline myself and not over play YouTube is a great source to get one started I hope this helped a little good luck .

 

[sergiodeblanc]

It's pretty easy to sound like a guitarist on bass and the notes are in the same places, so there's that... Check out a cheapo short scale bass for her to plunk around on, or better yet one you and the rest of the family can play with. Learning how to play bass makes you a better person.

 

[DHW]

It's pretty easy to sound like a guitarist on bass and the notes are in the same places, so there's that... Check out a cheapo short scale bass for her to plunk around on, or better yet one you and the rest of the family can play with. Learning how to play bass makes you a better person.

That's kinda the plan. I am watching for some nice, used american or mexican standard P or J bass' to pop up in the area. Figured I will pick up at least 2 and then when she starts 6th grade pick up something like a vintage modified squier for her to keep at school for practice so she doesn't have to lug one on the bus every day and then she can take the better one the night of performances. Even though she is a shrimp she doesn't have any problem reaching on a full scale(plucked around on a couple last night). The Jazz neck definitely fit her hands the best.

She's kinda spoiled I think LOL...

 

[László]

It's good to switch back and forth - shouldn't be a problem.