i just can't play a damn 4-string...

**nostatic** · #1 02-03-2011, 10:00 PM

Our bud Jerry hipped me to a very cool Fender P-bass that he'd played. I've long lusted after a sunburst P-bass - the Jamerson/Washington vibe is potent indeed. I moved to 5-string 11 years ago, and a few months back tried to play some 4-string but sold them after it confused my small brain. Mostly when I'd go back to 5 - I no longer knew which string was which.

Anywho Jerry went and checked this bass out again tonight and gave it the huge thumbs up. I talked with the shop and it checked a number of boxes - 8.2 lbs, clean build, great tone. I said I'd have to sleep on it. I grabbed an Ibanez 4-string that I picked up a few days ago as a cheap (and returnable) experiment. I sat down and told myself that it was all in my head, that most players had no problem going back and forth. I jammed along with Mr. Magic on the 4. Hmm...that wasn't smooth, but was ok by the end of the song. Did it a few more times and found some positions/riffs that worked. Then grabbed a 5. Disaster. Went back to the 4. Disaster. Took me about 15 minutes playing the 5 to get my brain back into understanding what notes were where.

Maybe this time the lesson will take - I can't play a damn 4. The B-string is part of my inner bassist. I'll have to live with my inflexibility.

Now a 6'er...

**Freddels** · #2 02-04-2011, 05:37 AM

I've been a 4 string player for so long that I have the same problem with 5's and 6's but I'm still trying to play them.

Joe Nerve · #3 02-04-2011, 05:48 AM

I played 4 string for years and then tried a bunch of times to play 5. The added string meant instant sweat to my brow, and I really couldn't get the hang of it. I play by feel, and no matter how hard I tried, the B string would become an E string at very wrong times. And if I played it long enough, then I'd switch back to 4 and the E would become a B.

Got a gig I couldn't turn down a few years back that called for a 5. I committed to it and put away all my fours. Played 5 exclusively for a couple of years. I got used to it. Never thought I would, but it became second nature. When I went back to fours I then adjusted almost immediately, and since then I haven't had any problem going back and forth.

I think it just takes motivation and a solid commitment to get over the hump. If the need or motivation aren't there, then it might not even be worth the effort. Especiall going 5 to 4 as there's a lot less chance of needing one less string, than of needing the extra low notes.

lowfreqman · #4 02-04-2011, 06:25 AM

Maybe you could have the nut slots filed and convert the 4-stringer into a B-E-A-D-tuned bass. Then, you would just be missin' the top string.

RocketMusic · #5 02-04-2011, 07:56 AM

I was in the same boat before I bought Rocket Music. All my personal bases had been 5's for years, and playing a 4 would make my head hurt. But once I had the chance to play both on a daily basis, I pretty quickly became comfortable on a 4 again.

Gard · #6 02-04-2011, 08:07 AM

I'm OK on 5's, 6's, 7's, and even functional on more...but give me 4 and I feel like I'm all thumbs. I know I could "re-adjust", but I don't WANT to.

However, if one needs to, and I do mean NEEDS to, just do essentially what Joe did, put the one you're used to in it's case, put the case in a closet you never open, and MAKE yourself play the other instrument exclusively. It's amazing how quickly you will adapt if you give yourself no choice but to adapt.

LilRay · #7 02-04-2011, 08:30 AM

I play a specific 5 string exclusively now.

God Bless, Ray

**nostatic** · #8 02-04-2011, 09:13 AM

One of the drivers for playing a 4 is "simplicity" and not having to damp a B-string while playing chords or slapping (both of which are mostly technique/practice issues). Plus there is the "romance" of a 4. But I've done this experiment twice since spending a decade with 5s and I've had the same issue. I key off the low string as my reference, so when that changes I'm in trouble. Plus I have work out parts now up the neck on a 5 and I would have to rearrange for a 4. Not the end of the world.

But what does seem to be the "end of the world" is my general approach to the instrument and what my capabilities are. I assume there is a low B. So if I'm playing a song in D, I know what is at my disposal wrt ghost notes, intervals, etc. When I remove the B-string, everything is shifted by a string and my "home" is gone. I can realign but it takes time. And then takes even more time to realign back to 5.

It certainly could be that with constant practice at going back and forth between the two I could get it. But I need practice on other parts of my playing far more important that ability to swap between instruments

Since there is no practical upside for me beyond damping a B, and frankly I need a fatter tone due to my plucking technique (another OCD discussion), being compelled to pick up a 4 is largely "style over substance" for me. I totally get why guys dig 4 and every once in awhile I'll pick up up and have fun. But I'm just not wired for quick change. I'll have to learn to work with my limitations

Ziltoid · #9 02-04-2011, 09:24 AM

Playing around with my looping station, drum beats, noodling etc made me realize I'm a bit better on my 6'er then my 4s, it just flows better and I'm more comfortable, sadly my lovely fretless is a 4

PlanetEarth · #10 02-04-2011, 09:57 AM

FWIW: I just go on what I'm hearing... I stayed with 4 for years until I just started hearing/feeling the extended range a 6 had to offer. I used to go back and forth between a 6 and an upright and found it comfortable simply based on the upright being a different voice that I could not imagine/hear the extended range with... If that makes any sense lol!

But, I also find I use my 6 very much like a 4 in that I'm not often on the B above Low E or on the C below high G (little more flexible on the later). So in my mind that equates to the extended range being literally 10 notes, 5 on the low side, 5 on the high side. So hypothetically if you took a 4 string and extended the fingerboard under the E string down to low B and above the G sting up to high C you really have the same range as a 6 string. So in my head it's a 4 string with those 2 extensions.

Personally I like the way the instrument comes across this way i.e. saving the extended range for those *special moments*. Not a fan of players who spend a lot of time in those ranges. Patitucci is one of my favs in his conservative use of that range and man when he does drop a bomb down low on the B string it's powerful.

-PE

SteveC · #11 02-04-2011, 10:04 AM

I agree. I have tried to go to a 4 for similar reasons but I always go back to my 5. It's home, and I can't get past it. I don't need/want a bunch of basses and a 4 can't do what a 5 can. I have decided to keep my current gear for one year no matter what. Yamaha BB605, NXT 4 and GB Shuttle 6.0-12T combo. If I can't play all my gigs with this gear, somethings wrong.

**nostatic** · #12 02-04-2011, 10:06 AM

I think of it this way - a 5-string gives me 4 extra notes no matter where I am on the neck. So I can likely cover chord changes with little or no movement of my left hand. That and the ability to play a lower 5th (either regular note or ghost) in E through A.

Certainly multiple ways to approach the instrument. I prefer vertical to horizontal.

Darkstrike · #13 02-04-2011, 10:07 AM

I don't seem to have much issue with swapping string count, my lack of skill shines through regardless...

Darkstrike · #14 02-04-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

However, if one needs to, and I do mean NEEDS to, just do essentially what Joe did, put the one you're used to in it's case, put the case in a closet you never open, and MAKE yourself play the other instrument exclusively. It's amazing how quickly you will adapt if you give yourself no choice but to adapt.

We can adapt to anything given time.

I was in Germany for a week, with only an 8 string dual course bass, and quickly discovered that the big chimey sound didn't suit every song, which lead to learning how to hit the bass strings without hitting the octaves.

SteveC · #15 02-04-2011, 10:52 AM

Of course you can adapt if you have to. I'm saying at this point, if I don't have to play a 4 string, I won't at this point. MANY of the tunes I play - be it jazz quartet, pop/rock cover, R&B/Soul Horn Band and church - don't REQUIRE a low B. I'm guessing that 95% or more of the stuff I do could be done on a 4, but it's that 5% that keeps me on a 5. Sometimes for the low notes, sometimes for the flexibility of positions.

Now that I'm playing a upright again, we'll see how that influences me.

**nostatic** · #16 02-04-2011, 11:01 AM

I'll bet upright doesn't change it much. I find it to be a completely different instrument than electric bass. Same with guitar - I have no problem playing 5-string bass then picking up a guitar.

BassMan4Him · #17 02-04-2011, 11:02 AM

I'm 18, and I play 4's, 5's, and 6's. I used to only be able to play 4's but basically doing what you described help me remember the notes, and feel comfortable with them all. It took a year or so however..

CrashClint · #18 02-04-2011, 11:41 AM

I feel more at home on a 4 string but have adjusted to the 5 string with no problems.

When I am learning songs I will opt for the 4 banger.

I can play lots of chords on Guitar but struggle chording on the bass for some reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

I've been a 4 string player for so long that I have the same problem with 5's and 6's but I'm still trying to play them.

SteveC · #19 02-04-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'll bet upright doesn't change it much. I find it to be a completely different instrument than electric bass. Same with guitar - I have no problem playing 5-string bass then picking up a guitar.

I agree, it's a different instrument. I guess I'm thinking that up 'till now, I have played everything on my 5. I am guessing that the upright will get at least 50% of my play time, probably more. That might have an influence.

Honestly, like you, I'd love to be playing a 4. It "fits" the horn band, it works for most of the rock covers, and except for a few contemporary jazz and church tunes, I could see it working all the time. I like the small, fast neck.

I think my problem is I talk myself into thinking that everyone wants me to play a 5, and they really don't care. I am keeping gear a little bit based on what potential or perceived gigs may require instead of just playing whay probably works 95% of the time.

**Bipslapper** · #20 02-04-2011, 03:03 PM

I usually just stand there not even playing bass at my gigs; guitarist is too loud, so I can't be heard anyhoo. So, I just get wasted and look for hot chicks.....

I kid, I kid - I aproach the 4 string a little different than the 5's and 6 string, all are cool in their own way. It is fun to simplify and just play the 4 string EB sometimes - makes me play less notes and focus on the actual groove.

My 6 string was, at first, just a novelty, now it is one of me favs

OP - you can always use the 4 string as a door stop.