6 String Advice.

[Sagaris]

So after buying my first cheap, but suprisingly good, 6 string fretless, I find myself slightly lost and ignorant in utilising the extended range.

My bass teacher can play 6 string fretless and he has told me about it's advantages over a 4 string but I haven't had anything specifically 6 string to learn.

6 String Fretless is an instrument I'd love to master and feel totally comfortable on so could anyone give me relevant advice, mostly theory based, on playing 6 string please?

Cheers.

[Eli M.]

I don't know anything "specifically 6 string" to learn. But what you can do is practice playing 4 string songs but use the additional strings.

It's just a matter of getting used to having more notes, positions and harmonics available. Play things on the high C that you would have played way up the neck on the 4 string.

You could look at some cello music. Or just noodle around and make stuff up. I don't know if there's a 6 string repertoire; maybe someone else can chime in on that with specific songs and pieces.

Anyway, congratulations on going extended range! Enjoy playing in the flat keys.

[Dbassmon]

This is a good start

Fingerboard Harmony for Bass by Gary Willis

Written for 4, 5 & 6 string players.
Includes a CD with 99 examples and play along tracks.
A comprehensive linear approach takes advantage of the geomtery of the fingerboard and gives you the tools to play in any context -grooving-playing a fill-walking-soloing, etc.

Maybe you need a different teacher?

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Sagaris

So after buying my first cheap, but suprisingly good, 6 string fretless, I find myself slightly lost and ignorant in utilising the extended range.

My bass teacher can play 6 string fretless and he has told me about it's advantages over a 4 string but I haven't had anything specifically 6 string to learn.

6 String Fretless is an instrument I'd love to master and feel totally comfortable on so could anyone give me relevant advice, mostly theory based, on playing 6 string please?

Cheers.

The theory doesn't change, because it's not dependent on the number of strings you have. So there's nothing specifically theory-based about playing a 6 string, and AFAICS no specific theory-based recommendations that can be made.

The difference is primarily technical, in that it (1) demands a somewhat different physical approach to your instrument, (2) gives you notes you didn't have before, and (3) gives you different ways of playing some of the notes you already had. As far as advantages of 6 string over 4, well ... (1) isn't an advantage, but (2) and (3) could be. However, an advantage is only really an advantage if it's of use to you, and it's not necessarily the case that these things are significant advantages for everybody. I mean, you could say that being able to go 160 mph is an advantage over being able to go 120 mph, but it doesn't matter unless you're in a situation where you might need or want to approach those speeds.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if, as your post seems to suggest, you're not sure what the extended range is for, then why are you interested in playing 6 string specifically? I don't say this to put you down or discourage you in any way, but IMO as a long-time 6 string player (I've played nothing but 6s for years), there's nothing inherently so great about playing a 6 string as opposed to a 4 or a 5 unless it gives you something that you need or want and can't get with a 4 or 5 string. If you can do everything you need or want to do with a 4 or 5, there's no real reason to go to a 6. More isn't always better; sometimes it's just ... more. There's no real sense in playing a 6 just to play a 6 or just because somebody else plays one--I sure wouldn't want to work my hands that hard (and it IS harder physical work) unless I were convinced I were getting something I couldn't get otherwise.

Are you hearing something that's not readily available on a 4? Do you find yourself reaching for notes that don't exist on a 4? If so, then a 6 may be perfect for you, and good luck to you. But if you're only getting a 6 because your teacher says they're better, that may not be the best thing for you.

Of course, it could always happen that once you start playing a 6, you find that the additional possibilities appeal to you, and you can make real use of them. But it could also be that they're of no real use to you, in which case there's no real reason for you to play 6. I've come across a number of bassists--some on TalkBass--who gave the 6 a whack and decided they weren't into it and went back to 5 or 4.

Good luck, in any case.

[pointbass]

I agree with essentially everything Richard said ^^^^, and especially this ....

Originally Posted by Richard Lindsey

....there's nothing inherently so great about playing a 6 string as opposed to a 4 or a 5 unless it gives you something that you need or want and can't get with a 4 or 5 string. If you can do everything you need or want to do with a 4 or 5, there's no real reason to go to a 6. More isn't always better; sometimes it's just ... more.

As Richard suggested, lots of players think that a 6 is cool but quickly grow weary of the additional range. I approach a 6 & 7 string in a completely different manner than I do a 4 or 5. I use different hand positions, I play different patterns, I think altogether differently when playing these extended ranges.

If you find yourself limited by 4' & 5's, then you should by all means explore the additional range. Not to discourage you (as Richard said above) but if you need inspiration to play the additional range, I would interpret that to mean that you aren't yet to the point where you're thinking as an extended range player.

Extended range is a very free-flowing concept, with limited "rules and regulations" towards its approach. The only problem with it is that once you become dependent upon the extra range, its very tough to go back ....

[Sagaris]

Well, in general reply to what's been said above, playing a 6 does appeal to me very much and I started playing it because I like having a bigger range in a single position as I've been spending alot of time recently, working on walking bass and soloing.

Also I don't think that the case is I'm not inspired and ready to use an extended range, I think I'm just still very used to a 4's range as I still do play one very often. I think now actually, it may just be a case of still familiarising myself with the fingerboard

The physical issues of size and weight haven't really bothered me, infact my 6 does feel relatively comfortable to play all over. However, my wrist gets a bit uncomfortable when playing low near the nut, but I don't feel I'd need to go lower than the E very often.

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by Sagaris

.... Also I don't think that the case is I'm not inspired and ready to use an extended range, I think I'm just still very used to a 4's range as I still do play one very often. I think now actually, it may just be a case of still familiarising myself with the fingerboard ....

As a suggestion, try putting down the 4 for now and just stick with the 6 string, if possible. This will give you a higher level of comfort with the fingerboard, especially as you progress further up the neck.

You might also try playing the melody of some songs, as well as experimenting with chording positions/fingering. All of these things will get you much more intimate with the additional range and will eventually change your thought process and approach ....

[steveb98]

People usually play 6-string for specific reasons, such as they solo a lot or play chords a lot (ala Todd Johnson of TB). If using it for general purpose playing you mainly have to get used to the sound of the C and B strings. So if using the C string to avoid changing postions you understand it is a thinner sound than moving up on a heavier string, and reverse on the B-string. The B get muddy up the neck versus shift up on E string.

So you need to find some music by 6-string player to learn. I would say check out Todd Johnson, Gerald Veasley, Oteil Burbridge.

[perfektspace6]

Check out John Myung's "Progressive Bass Concepts". Has some great excercises that utilize the entirety of the 6 string. Goes through chords, soloing, positions, harmonics, tapping... just about everything. Good luck with the fretless when you are running scales and chord patterns in the upper range. I don't think that ever becomes easy.

[bassplaynmatt]

Also, try playing the root and 10th of all the given chords in a diatonic key. For example, in the key of C play the C on the 3rd "fret" of the A string and the E on the 4th "fret" of the C string at the same time. Then ascend through C major playing the appropriate major or minor 10th in relation to each mode (I,ii,iii,IV,V,vi,vii). Thats an easy way to start "seeing" the extended range that the C string offers even just playing in the same old register you always have. Also, it will do two things for you as a newbie at 6string. It will reinforce the placement of the modes across the strings rather then up them and it will stretch your hand a little. Plus, playing fretless, this will help you work on your intonation.

I have been playing 6string fretted and fretless for several years now and I will have to agree that going 6 isn't necessarily better, just different. Let us not forget that many of our heros played some badass stuff on 4string! Also, I find that when I memorize a difficult jazz head or transcribe a solo on 6 it hurts my brain to try and play it on 4.

[brooklynbassguy]

Three things will greatly help your progress:
Dotzauer Cello Etudes, v1+v2(pick a few like 4, 5, 13, 41, and 42)
Melodious Etudes for trombone by Rochut
Transcribe and learn as many jazz sax, trumpet, guitar, etc solos as you can.

[ChiliPepper]

some great advice here

what is really important imo is not to think of your bass as a 4 string with 2 additional strings that are rather disturbing or annoying but really use all of them. Adopt some of the basslines you've learned on your 4 string to the 6 string. f.ex play F, G etc. on your B string and not on your E str.
Learn to play in different keys.
you now have 4 octaves you can play with. Most piano books for beginners "only" cover 4 octaves so you have a lot of range

bassbooks.com has some great books/DVD !

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/sh...=6+STRING+BASS

Have fun

[thumbin]

Go get some primus tabs