5 string technique

[FenderBinder]

What are some scales or riffs I could use for a 5 string??? I am a self taught player. I have books on 4 string but not 5 string cuz i cant find a good one. I need some cool scales or riffs to practice with.

[ARCtrooper225]

just extend them... (I'm assuming you know the 7 modes, and pents)

[FenderBinder]

i know the pentatonic scales. i havent researched much of the 7 modes yet.

[ARCtrooper225]

Well, now's a good time to learn, IMO. But if you want, just practice the pentatonics for now, try to play it in different positions, so you use all 5 strings, also practice muting, and string skipping

[musicmedic]

My approach to the low B is this...

Remember that you only added 5 actual notes with the B string (in standard tuning) below the open E. My band plays several songs in the key of D so sometimes I'll reach down to get the really fat low note. I more often than not use the B string for convenience and efficiency of motion. If I'm high up on the neck and have a low note that I would normally have to shift my left hand down to reach, I try to find it on the B string so I can keep my hand where it is. I also use it for a different timbre. The open E sounds different than the E played on the 5th fret B string. Other than that, I would say just extend the scales and patterns you already know, and use the time to learn more scales and modes. On the other hand, the open B just sounds cool as ****, doesn't it?

[FenderBinder]

Hell yea it sounds cool as s***. I wanted a 5th string just to look cool as hell on stage. I can play any song there is. Its just I just started learning the scales and and reading up on modes. I want to know the theory behind it all now. I completely understand how the B string works. I just didnt know if the scales would be any different then 4 string. It seems Im on the right path tho. Ive ben extending everything but I didnt know if I was practicing a bad habbit or doing it correctly. It seems I am tho. Thanks guys.

[BullHorn]

What are the 7 modes? Can somebody please post a link to a guide that explains it in Caveman? O_o

Thanks.

[Essexbass]

Hi Bulhorn,
The 7 modes (in the Major scale anyway)are:

I - Ionian (normal Major scale pattern)
II - Dorian (Minor scale with a Major 6th instead of a Minor 6th)
III - Phrygian (Minor scale with a b2 instead of a Major 2nd)
IV - Lydian (Major scale with a #4 instead of a Perfect 4th)
V - Mixolydian - (Major scale with a b7 instead of a Major 7th)
VI - Aeolian (Minor scale)
VII - Locrian (Minor scale with a b2 & b5).

Each scale has it's own distinctive sound. You can play these in any key - for example in C this would be:

I - C D E F G A B C (Ionian)
II - D E F G A B C D (Dorian)
III - E F G A B C D E (Phrygian)
IV - F G A B C D E F (Lydian)
V - G A B C D E F G (Mixolydian)
VI - A B C D E F G A (Aeolian)
VII - B C D E F G A B (Locrian)


Once you start getting into the modes of all the other scales, things start to get even more interesting....

Hope this helps a bit anyway.

Cheers,
Essexbass

[K9Jay79]

I'm pretty new to bass and really, to music theory as a whole. I've been reading about the modes, and to be honest I have a headache.

[gkbass13]

using the floating thumb technnique will help with right hand technique. as far as the left hand...i find that being able to lay scales in all new places a s aresult of the 5th string is very helpfull...learn the modes and scales, knowing the fretboard inside an out it can be a magical thing.

[Rumblestiltzkin]

Originally Posted by FenderBinder

What are some scales or riffs I could use for a 5 string??? I am a self taught player. I have books on 4 string but not 5 string cuz i cant find a good one. I need some cool scales or riffs to practice with.

No cool riffs. No cool scales.

Just the same scales that have ever existed. Same notes. Now you can play an extra 5 lower notes than you had with your 4.

Dude, 5 string or 20 string is the same thing. There's nothing new here. Same notes, lower octaves.

My advice, learn some music theory.