I'm a female jazz singer who is looking to find a new instrument to play. I love the double bass and think it's the key part of any jazz combo. I have a good ear, pitch and reasonable theory and my boyf said he thinks I'd be great on double bass. I'm about average height (5ft 5in) but I'm quite small framed and am not very strong...

Would I be able to manage the bass? Is it a hard instrument to learn?

I've been learning trumpet for a couple of years and I found that really difficult. There were just too many things to practice. What are the hard bits about playing bass?

also, is there anywhere in the UK I can hire a double bass to try one out?

Well if ya wanna play any kind of Bass, then youve gotta understand how the Bass is suposed to be more off a feeling than a sound, and it dosnt matter what size you are or how strong, if you treuly want to play, then youll play, regardless of your physique, and everything that you need for playing bass comes with time anyway, so just go for it.

Thanks for the advice. I just borrowed a bass from a friend for the last week and I've got on really well with it. Definitely see what you mean about left hand technique... it could get painful if you weren't sure how to hold the instrument correctly.

I'm going to give it a go - very exciting!!