Man, can anybody actually do this?

[terribilino]

I was just thumbing through a book I picked up last summer called Chords for Bass by Dominik Hauser.

In the 5th chapter on Diminished and Augmented Triads he gives the fingerings for the diminished triad in open voicings (whatever that means) and the first one shows the second fret on the E string (G flat) together with the first fret on the D string (E flat) and the (get this!) FIFTH fret on the G string (C).

I don't have big hands, but I'm quite comfortable with one finger per fret all over the fretboard. But stretching from the first to the fifth fret while cording?

To be fair, Hauser does write that this would be 'very hard to finger when played in this key'. But for my hands it's just downright impossible. It's not going to keep me up at night, or anything, but is this even possible?

[atheos]

I can barely stretch that much but it's extremely awkward. Luckily I don't have to do that kind of stuff

[VinKreepo]

This is one of those reasons to give into your G.A.S. and say you NEED a 5 string. If you capoed a BEADG 5 string at the 5th fret, you now have a short scale EADGC. So then you could either try doing his fingering on the short scale or you could mute the G string and play the open C... but remember, you NEED the 5 string

EDIT: you could also have EADGC for regular tuning, but having the capo on a BEADG gives a shortscale as I said AND the option of going back to the more common BEADG later for other songs. And I can't wrap my small hands around the neck of a 6 string so I conveniently forgot about that haha

[bommer]

if you swap the fifth fret for the forth fret, i can do that lol

[Sideshow Aj]

I can just about manage it. Hurts like heck though!

[terribilino]

Originally Posted by bommer

if you swap the fifth fret for the forth fret, i can do that lol

That one I can manage - but it's pushing it!

Maybe I should just buy a guitar. Or a ukelele bass.

[bruiser1964]

I can do it easily ....... on my gu*tar

[bassybill]

Jaco could stretch four frets.

Joking aside, don't worry about impossible fingerings. There's always a musical and manageable alternative.

[mambo4]

I almost always assume that any "chord" shape I see graphed on on a bass neck is not intended to be voiced simultaneously, but intended to be utilized as a fingering pattern for melodic ideas that support the chord when other instruments are playing it.

Bass chords almost always sound muddy and indistinct IMHO, but maybe I just suck at them :P

[Jazz Ad]

Just tried, I can do it without hurting but it's kinda dumb since that 1st fret D string can be played 6th fret A string.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by mambo4

I almost always assume that any "chord" shape I see graphed on on a bass neck is not intended to be voiced simultaneously, but intended to be utilized as a fingering pattern for melodic ideas that support the chord when other instruments are playing it.

Bass chords almost always sound muddy and indistinct IMHO, but maybe I just suck at them :P

Great point, and when though of like that makes sense.

[phatbass]

I'm assuming he means strum all four strings... That sounds like a very muddy voicing.

Depending on the context, if all four notes absolutely HAD to be included, I'd maybe reach over and finger the C with a right hand digit hammer on. Otherwise I'd just work out which notes of the chord were essential to the harmonic integrity of the tune.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by mambo4

I almost always assume that any "chord" shape I see graphed on on a bass neck is not intended to be voiced simultaneously, but intended to be utilized as a fingering pattern for melodic ideas that support the chord when other instruments are playing it.

Bass chords almost always sound muddy and indistinct IMHO, but maybe I just suck at them :P

They don't have to sound muddy.

[Zombbg4]

Yikes, I just tried and that's tough...I have fairly long fingers and a 33" scale bass, too. But seriously, why not just take it up an octave?? Much better sounding and easier to play. All bass chords DO sound muddy...in the lower register. Having a high C adds a lot of clarity.

[Herbie 80's]

I can't even do that on my Hofner. Maybe my hands are small..

[Kobaia]

1. open voicings are chords that span more than one octave. hope that helps.

2. thats a stupid chord for that position. move i up an octave and its much more practical. I can make the stretch but never would

[groooooove]

while you may be studying chords, that fingering is certainly not intended for harmonic use.

his intention was to get you to understand what notes belong to what chords, not to be able to actually strum these chords.

or atleast, thats what it seems to be.

[Eric!]

Reminds me of that dastardly D# harmonic in Portrait of Tracy. Lotsa strain learning that.

I can make this chord stretch, I'd never see myself playing it though.

[Psychronic]

Buy a 6 string :P.
I can do it with mine :P

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by groooooove

while you may be studying chords, that fingering is certainly not intended for harmonic use.

his intention was to get you to understand what notes belong to what chords, not to be able to actually strum these chords.

or atleast, thats what it seems to be.

right. that chord will sound like crap down there anyway. just get the info and move on.