Reddit mentions of Korg TM50BK Instrument Tuner and Metronome, Black

She would probably like a metronome:
http://www.amazon.com/Korg-TM50BK-Instrument-Tuner-Metronome/dp/B00923H7MA/ref=zg_bs_11965901_1/180-2467413-4840916

Oh boy! Yes. First of all, anyone saying play slow scales to a drone for intonation is absolutely right. My intonation has improved dramatically over the last year. This appears to be a life-long commitment, according to Edgar Meyer. The Korg TM-50 is an awesome tuner/metronome that also produces drone tones.

I've also found The Art of Double Bass Playing and A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices to be very inspiring and informative. The scale and bowing exercises in the latter are great, and they both offer a lot in the department of just thinking about the bass and its unique challenges.

Next, be careful! Last weekend I decided to play sitting on a stool instead of standing to see if I could improve my left hand position. It took several hours to get comfortable, and in doing so I did something wrong with my neck and could not move my head without terrible pain for the next five days! As you're experimenting with your posture and hand position, remember that the bass is a big beast, and it may bite you.

Another great thing to do is take a lesson. Find a bass instructor at your local college or someone in the local symphony and get a one-off "how am I doing?" session. It's very helpful.

Lastly, I guess, is to go very slow. If there's a scale, a shift, or a passage giving you trouble, take it very, very slowly. You'll likely discover what you're doing wrong. It takes patience and discipline, but it can be valuable.

A lot of this can be boring as hell, and it seems like you're not getting anywhere, but then every so often you'll realize that you're suddenly doing something that you couldn't have done even a month ago. Hey, progress! It's like magic.

So, that's what I got. Have fun!

> Would a guitar setup make playing barre chords easier?

Probably. You might also want to try lighter-gauge strings.

>Where do I begin with music theory?

Guitar Theory for Dummies

> How do I refine my fingerpicking so i don't make mistakes while playing?

Buy a metronome. Set it to the lowest tempo that allows you to play the whole song accurately. Gradually increase the tempo in small increments. If you start making mistakes, make a note of where you're stumbling and practice those sections in isolation. Remember that practice makes permanent, not perfect - if you rush, you're training yourself to play with fast but sloppy technique. Slooooow down, play cleanly and focus on the most difficult parts.

Speaking from experience as both a violinist and teacher, obviously the best thing to do would be to see a teacher - but I definitely understand that isn't an option for everyone financially or time-wise. That said, here's my advice:

Start from the very beginning. Essential Elements is an awesome book series to teach you the basics, especially if you're rusty on reading music. The interactive CD helps quite a lot, and you should use it.

Put finger tapes on your instrument. Here is a good instructional on how to do it. I don't recommend the violin fretboard as it's too busy; the tapes are much easier to look at while you're playing.

Buy a tuner! If finances are a concern, you can download an app to your phone/tablet, but a digital tuner is your best option. I use this one and swear by it, particularly as it also has a metronome.

Practice using a full-length mirror. Since you don't have a teacher watching you play, you'll have to take on the role yourself. Particularly watch your left wrist (is it folding in against the instrument?) and your bow arm (is your bow moving straight and is your right shoulder hunched?). It sounds crazy, but practice in the bathroom...it usually has great acoustics and a large mirror. It works!

Make playing comfortable. If you need one, use a shoulder rest - they aren't especially expensive and make a great deal of difference in holding the instrument securely and comfortably (you don't want to be pinching your shoulder upwards or angling your head downwards). The Kun is an industry standard and works well for most beginners. Also, use a stand - do NOT put your music down on your bed or on a table and hunch over to read it, as it totally ruins your playing posture and prevents you from bowing properly.

I hope this helps!

These for if your school doesn't have gauntlets (whole line will need them).

These are pretty handy if you don't have one, they do everything drumline related.

These are great for practicing, they're heavier than your average sticks.

People say this is the best book ever in terms of learning.

Everyone should use a metronome when practicing.

As /u/AlphaAgain said, virtually any metronome will do. I'm a classical musician, and the metronome that I see the most often is the Korg TM-40. I'll find a link. It's a great metronome, mine has lasted me all my collegiate career.

EDIT: It appears as if it's been discontinued. The TM-50 is their new metronome that's similar.

I am one of the people who doesn't use a metronome on my phone. I like having a physical metronome in my case. I have used the Korg TM-40 tuner/metronome for years, and it is pretty darn durable. I've dropped it off my stand on to hard wood floors, onto concrete, and tile. It still works fine, but looks sub-optimal. However, I don't remember paying $60 for it; I only paid about $35 at a local music shop. My fellow section leader had the TM-50 which was essentially the same unit. I recently picked up the DeltaLab DMT-1 metronome as my backup metronome. I grabbed it for $7 at Guitar Center. I've only been using it for about a week now, and I've got no complaints.

This little guy is not too expensive, but some combo amps now come with a tuner and/or metronome/rhythm function built in, like the Roland Micro Cube Bass RX.