The bass guitar is the “glue” of the band. It connects the rhythm of the drums to the melody of the guitar or piano. At BMF, we love the bass because it allows students to feel the “Big Beat” in a very physical way. If your child is ready to start thumping along, here is the essential gear they need to get started.
1. The Bass: Short-Scale is Key
For younger students (ages 7–12), a standard bass guitar is often too heavy and the neck is too long. This leads to “fret stretch” which can be painful and discouraging.
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The Recommendation: Look for a Short-Scale Bass. These have a neck length of about 30 inches (compared to the standard 34 inches).
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Faculty Picks: The Ibanez miKro Bass or the Squier Bronco Bass. Both are lightweight, affordable, and perfectly sized for smaller hands.
2. The Amplifier
Unlike a guitar amp, a bass amp needs to be able to handle low frequencies without rattling.
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The Recommendation: You don’t need a giant “stack.” A small practice combo amp (15 to 25 watts) is perfect for home use.
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Feature to Look For: Ensure it has a headphone jack for silent practice and an Aux-In port. The Aux-In allows your child to plug in their tablet or phone so they can play along with their BMF backing tracks.
3. The Strap (Don’t Skip This!)
Because the bass is naturally heavier than a guitar, a high-quality strap is non-negotiable.
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The Goal: The strap should be wide and padded to distribute the weight across the shoulder.
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The Fit: When standing, the bass should be at the same height as it is when they are sitting. If the bass is hanging down by their knees, it will be impossible to use correct finger technique.
4. The Instrument Cable
You’ll need a 10-foot shielded instrument cable to connect the bass to the amp.
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Pro Tip: Look for a cable with a “right-angle” plug on one end. This helps prevent the cable from getting tugged or damaged if the student is sitting on a chair or couch.
A Note on Tuning
Bass strings are thick and can be harder to tune by ear for beginners. We highly recommend a clip-on electronic tuner (like a Snark). It clips right onto the headstock and makes it easy for the student to ensure they are in pitch before every practice session.
Ready to Groove? Once you have your gear, head over to the Songwriting category to see how we use the bass to build original songs from the ground up!
