Has anyone any experience teaching kids?

[chilievans]

Well I've finally bought my daughter a bass.
Its a nice little 3/4 pink P type bass with amp etc. She's having it for her birthday tomorrow (can't wait to see her face )
She want's me to teach her but where do I start? She's only 9 so I was thinking maybe something simple like Primus?
But seriously, should I start with scales, nursery rhymes, learning the fretboard?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Dale

[Doddy]

There are a couple of thing you could try.Something like a simple scale like E and A major is good to get her used
to moving up and down the strings with both hands,then you could try either a simple melody like Happy Birthday
or something like a simple root-fifth bassline over a 12 bar. If you can,try to get her to associate the notes on the neck
with the notes on the stave.That's where a simple 12 bar (in C) helps.I was shown that the first day I picked a bass up
and it made things so much easier.

[chilievans]

Thanks Doddy

[ezbass]

A way to keep them interested is to get them to learn a song that they like and can eventually play along to.

[Soliloquy]

Make it fun.

I teach kids bass for a living. If it isn't fun, or interesting then they'll just shut off and lose interest.

I tend to start off teaching them what the notes are on the fretboard, and get them to play along to an easy song. Just playing root notes, something maybe like Bryan Adams and summer of 69, or something by ZZ Top. Something fairly easy anyway.

Like Doddy said, relate the notes back to the stave, and show them what a simple 1/4 or 1/8th note rhythm looks like.

It's good when they go home and they can say that they can play a song. Get them to suggest songs that they'd like to play too.

[GonzoBass]

I start by drawing a bass neck with the open strings as well as the non-accidental notes filled in,
explaining the natural half steps between both B-C and E-F
and the fact that the notes in between have two names each
(enharmonic spelling)
depending on whether you are going sharp (higher) or lower (flat).

Here are some blanks I made up for this purpose-

[attachment=79170:Chart.jpeg]

[attachment=79172:Necks.jpeg]

No need to drill this right away
because it is used by them as a reference tool for their next few lessons.

This is followed by a simple explanation of "one finger per fret",
then a drawing of movable patterns from root to ocatve of both the major
(2 -4, 1-2-4, 1-3-4)
and minor scales
(1-3-4, 1-3-4, 1-3)
showing them the "mood" or "feeling" that each scale gives
by demonstrating simple melodies using each one-
"Mary Had a Little Lamb" for major (happy)
"Theme from Dragnet" for minor (serious)

Then ask them what tunes they would like to learn
and pick the simplest one to start with
(The Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated" or Nirvana "Come As You Are" are easy faves here...)
because as Soliliquy said, if it isn't fun for them they will glaze over pretty quickly
but playing one of their favorite songs is a sure way to get them to practice.

It is up to you as the instructor to painlessly trick them into learning the theory
by asking questions about each song which make them refer to the handout-
"What note is that?"
"Does this song sound "happy" or "serious" to you?"
"So what scale do you think they are using?"

Followed by encouraging, positive praise-
"That's awesome/Very good!"
"You've got a great ear!"
"You're learning fast!"

I hope this helps both you and your daughter.

Edited May 6, 2011 by GonzoBass

[chilievans]

Thanks guys.
First lesson tonight. Fingers crossed

[Lfalex v1.1]

Work together on something, based on something she likes. Perhaps she could play the melody and you play harmony?
My daughter is learning flute (not bass flute, I fear)
I've still found a lot that I can pass on to her with regard to scales, timekeeping, delivery and phrasing. With both of you playing the same instrument, I'd hope there would be even more you could pass on (including Primus)