I have a grandson, currently four years old, who’s showing a lot of interest in music. What is the optimal age to start him out on bass or guitar?
LOL! Well, he got a cheap ukulele this last year, to see if he’d be willing, and he is. I was just thinking about scale length and his size.
Kids are a lot more pliable than us old folks and don’t care about comfort and reach etc. Ellen figured it out and so will he.
A Gretsch Jr Jet is a great place to start as a short scale. He will figure out the reach.
I was also looking at the Squire Mini P Bass. Thoughts?
Same. Good choice too
I’d suggest going with the Mini P. The form factor will be similar as he grows and moves up to short scale and long scale.
Hey Rodney,
my grandma was a pianist and said most people recommend around 6 years, “so the children have some understanding.”
My take is that the teaching style has to match the starting age. I taught a four year old English (as my job) and she was so bright, she could have easily started earlier - but I felt weirded out because I was afraid her parents were pushing her too hard.
Enjoy hanging out with your grandson! Try to put yourself into his shoes: what does he want to explore? What opens doors later (like a foundation from proper instruction and practice)? And allow him to beautifully fail and learn.
Cheers
Antonio
PS: Give it some years and that four year old I taught will speak better English than me!
The earlier the better. My biggest regret in life was not taking music seriously until my 30’s. I imagine where my skill level would be right now had I even started five years sooner
I wish my whole band had taken it more seriously in college, when we had the time, instead of 30 years later, when we don’t
Whenever they show interest. My 8 year old daughter took piano but couldn’t stick with it. She seem to like the ukulele right now so we’ll see. She plays a couple of verse on bass but not the entire song. I’ll let her go at her pace for now.
Well, duh! 47 is the best, OF COURSE!
Yes, I would agree… but, what point is there in regretting something you can’t change anymore?! I am happy I found back to actively making music four years ago and feel this was one of my better decisions in the past ten years
I like how he is digging in
Bass is a tricky instrument. It’s quite easy to start but difficult to master, lol.
That’s some serious bass face!
I started playing six string when I was 16 - after 56 years of little progress because I did not enjoy practicing - found the one I love - a bass - now I love playing it when ever I can and even more enjoy learning with Josh - so my answer is 72!
The best age to learn any hobby is when you want to. Everything is a time commitment and you’ll only enjoy it if you have a desire to do it in the first place. Physical limitations have never held back anyone who was great
I started after age 50. Granted, I played tuba in high school and college, sang bass in barbershop quartet and church choir for 25 years and played piano for 3 years… So I’m not stranger to music but when you’re older, you are more focused and know what you want and thus I believe take it more seriously.