Making the switch from 4 to 5 string

**MAJOR METAL** · #1 05-06-2003, 10:26 AM

My first 5 string is coming today and i wanted some advice from making the switch.I have been playing 4 for along time so it is not like this is my first expirence with a bass, but i will probable feel like it. When i go out i try the 5 strings out their i like Lakland and i really liked Sadowsky so i am fimilaiar with the feel. Would you sugest that i ease into it or start playing the 5 at gigs. I play out every week so i was think of bringin the bass to practice to start re working the songs and bring them to all new lows. Thanks

LoJoe · #2 05-06-2003, 11:08 AM

Certainly no expert, but this is my personal experience. My first 5 string was dropped off by UPS at 5:15PM and I had band rehearsal at 6:30PM. I took it to rehearsal instead of my old reliable 4. I tried to simply play it like a 4 string for awhile, using the B string as a thumbrest when playing on the E etc... Yes I hit some wrong notes on the B instead of the E when things really got going, but these errors faded pretty quickly. Over the next few days I introduced the B string more and more into familiar songs, just hitting a nice low D and Eb on occassion. I next moved into playing up on the neck to have more flexibility by playing E's and G's on the B string and moving up and down the neck a lot less. I gigged with it after 3 days of having it and now it feels funny to play a 4. Strictly my opinion but I say dive in and go for it.

BassZen · #3 05-07-2003, 07:35 PM

It takes a little while to get used to but you can easily play on it after a few minutes. After a few days its no problem, the string spacing is slightly off but only by a very small amount.

KeiBau · #4 05-07-2003, 08:03 PM

I would agree with diving into it. I got my five string nine months ago. I practiced for two short evenings at home before playing with the group with no major problems. Oh, occasionally I would mess up, but after the first month, I realized that I wasn't confusing the strings anymore. I haven't gone back to the four since. I'd say the greatest improvement to technique was that I couldn't play the five string well by using the pickup as a thumb rest like had been doing on the four. I started to use the B string as a thumb rest but immediately it became natural to rest my thumb on all strings below the one being played (if playing on the A string, mute the B,E,A strings with my thimb...)and slide my thumb back as I went to the lower strings. Much improved muting technique.

the ombudsman · #5 05-08-2003, 12:15 PM

The muting technique is a bit different, and you have to adapt to the additionnal string. It can take a few weeks or a few months (in my case) to be as comfortable on it as on the 4, but don't worry, anyone can do it. Now, whenever I play a 4-string, I sometimes pluck the wrong string!!! But if you practice both on the 4 and the 5, this probably won't happen.

P.S.: Welcome to fiveland, congratulations and good luck!

Zoroaster03 · #6 05-11-2003, 02:18 AM

Bump - is it a different monster all together when you have a fretless five?

the ombudsman · #7 05-12-2003, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zoroaster03
Bump - is it a different monster all together when you have a fretless five?

It depends. If you go instantly from fretted 4 to fretless 5, you may find the transition a bit harder than if you are already used to play the fretted 5. But it's still a bass, so it's not like you pick a whole different instrument.

KeiBau · #8 05-12-2003, 11:24 AM

I play a fretted five, but have been interested in a fretless. A month ago I visited a GC and tried two different fretless basses just to see if I might be able to play the instrument. Although I wasn't palying with a group, but was just doing a few lines by myself (I realize that doesn't make me anything close to an expert), I was able to maintain reasonably close to being in tune and came away with the feeling that I could indeed make the transition. I had played the slide trombone in school from about the age of ten and believe that if I could stay in tune with the trombone slide as a youngster, I probably could do it with a fretless bass as well. Time will have to tell though, as I have yet to buy a fretless bass and haven't played one since the demo at the GC.

cassanova · #9 05-17-2003, 10:29 PM

The adjustment isnt all that hard. You'll hit bad notes like everyone else did while making the transition. The biggest mistakes for me were simply playing something on the B thinking it was the E and on the E thinking it was the A. But that will end quickly. Even quicker if you practice scales right off the bat with it.

dabshire · #10 05-19-2003, 12:42 PM

Don't event try! The switch is totally impossible! You cannot go to more strings!!! EVER!!!

Ok, Ok, I'm just kidding. I didn't really have any issues switching either. I did take me a while before I really started using the low string, and sometimes I would hit, say a "D" when I meant to play a "G", but you get used to it pretty quick.

Don't be afraid. It's just one more string....

Don

permagrin · #11 05-19-2003, 02:14 PM

I may be coming in a bit late here, and I agree with just about everything that's been posted. But one point that hasn't been brought up is string spacing/neck width, and techniques that could help the transition. I found that my left hand physically hurt over time playing 5-string due to the wider neck. I also found that my plucking was a lot sloppier due to closer string spacing. As a result I used a lighter touch and used the amp more, which to me wasn't as fun as digging in (I know, I know, that's a whole different thread...)

I did find that the glory of the 5 wasn't the extended range (those real low notes) but having more notes available at any hand position, especially having the low F through Ab/G# on frets 6-9.

I ended up selling the 5, and modified a relatively neglected bass to BEAD, best of both worlds for a non-pro like me.

It may be helpful to those considering a change to 5 to get some advice on string spacing/neck width preferences, as well as hand and muting technique differences for 5 strings.

MotorMind · #12 05-21-2003, 06:07 AM

I switched from 4 to 6 strings and never had any problems, aside from the fact that in the beginning my left hand grew tired sooner because of the extra stretching. I mostly play on a couple of 5 strings now, but grab the 4 and 6 string from time to time. Gotta play 'em all!