Convince your Dad to buy you a nice short scale bass.....perhaps an Ibanez bass with a thin neck...I believe they even make a micro bass which is their version of a short scale bass.

Hey Katie - I'm only 5'2" and have very small fingers too. Right at the beginning I did think about playing a short scale bass - but it just didn't feel right.

Just keep doing finger stretching exercises across the frets - nice and slowly - start where the frets are closer together, until you are used to it. Place the first finger on the first fret you choose on the E string, the 2nd finger on the next fret on the same string, and so on. Then when you have all 4 fingers fretted, move the first finger only to the A string, then the 2nd finger only to the next fret along on the A string etc. The aim is to only move one finger at once while you move up to the next string.

Just do it real slow then reverse the process back to the E string.

Hopefully that made sense? Your fingers will get stronger and be able to stretch a little more than they could at first, but it's always a bit of a challenge and I find I have to move around the fretboard a lttle bit more than most people because of this, but it's no big deal, you get used to it!

Lesley.

That does help, thank you! I have two really nice bass guitars that
used to belong to Dad, so I don't wanna stop playing them for a
short-scale bass. Thank you!

Hello Katie,
Welcome to AB.
I'm sure you will
enjoy it here, and
be very well liked
DESPITE being related
to another member!

I am already proud of
you that you opted not
to go the short-scale
route.
As for your smaller hands,
if you're not expecting
massive growth you will
need to play with a shifting
motion on the lower frets,
as opposed to stretching
for the notes.
The good news is that it
will get easier with time.

+1 Very well put Leslie.

Katie, nearly EVERYONE's hands are initially too small for bass. I'm not a fan of learning on short scale, especially when someone has access to such nice instruments as you do.

5'2"... do they make people that small ? lol.
Paul.
(you cand hit me... Im a Constable hehe).

The cheek of it! I might be small but I'm perfectly capable of landing a punch on your nose - constable or not!! Hahaha!

Ohhhahhhh you cant threaten me... Im a bloody cop. Im posting my cuffs to you, put them on as soon as you recieve them. lol

Ploddy.

No!!!

You would only reach his kneecap..... LOL

Ha ha, you're hilarious. Short people are way better anyways, we
never he=it our heads on the ceilings.

LMAO !!! Good point Katie lol.

Paul.