Advice for starting on a 5-string?

GEAnderson · #1 04-09-2011, 12:04 PM

I'm an experienced musician (drums & sax), but completely new to bass. (I don't even have my guitar yet, but it arrives next week.)

Can anyone please recommend a good book+DVD combo that teaches beginning 5-string? If there are none with a DVD, just a good book that doesn't try to teach me music theory like I'm a child would be good.

I have found a few books that teach people familiar with 4-string how to adjust to a 5-string, but that's not quite what I'm looking for.

Thanks for your advice!

fmoore200 · #2 04-09-2011, 12:47 PM

Most books will give you advice on how to play a four string and leave it up to you to adapt that to the five string. It's hard to recommend a book without knowing what style you look to play.

Having said that, the improviser's bass method by Mel scher is a good book.

Muzoid · #3 04-09-2011, 12:51 PM

Just get 4 string books....

All the B string really adds is a D#, D, C#, C and Open B.

All notes from E up are available on the other 4.

Most bassists I know, learn 4 and figure out when to use the 5th.

xxjazzbassist · #4 04-09-2011, 01:08 PM

Best way to learn in my experience is learn to play a four string and then when you feel comfortable with a four string and then play a 5 string. you don't have to be a virtuoso on 4 string but its easier to learn the basics on a 4 and then move up the ranks.

Prezel · #5 04-09-2011, 01:13 PM

This is not a answer to your question, but if you´re heading to slapping and double thumbing technique, be shure that you get a 5 string with a wide string spacing, almost like on a four string.

**pacojas** · #6 04-09-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzoid

Just get 4 string books....

All the B string really adds is a D#, D, C#, C and Open B.

All notes from E up are available on the other 4.

Most bassists I know, learn 4 and figure out when to use the 5th.

+1

(you'll love that E @ the 5th position!)

MalcolmAmos · #7 04-09-2011, 06:51 PM

I asked about the 5 string when I bought my first bass and was told the 5th string gives you some more low notes.

I let that go over my head and bought a 4 string. Wish I had asked a few more questions about what that 5th string would give me.

Know how sometime you put the root on the 3rd string and the 5th is on the 4th string. Now you can put the root on the 4th string and the 5th is on the 5th string and you've got more high notes available......

Yes - more low notes and how to use them is not rocket science - you'll figure it out.

Hoffman6000 · #8 04-09-2011, 06:55 PM

The key to the 5th string is knowing when and when NOT to use it. Don't play low just because you can. Use those low notes to give the songs direction! I started by using the 5th string as a thumb rest, now its just another string on the bass, no big deal.

**Engine207** · #9 04-12-2011, 01:55 PM

I'm gonna offer a different point. I played a four for my whole life, and had a hell of a time making the switch (which I haven't...exclusively, anyway). I was so used to the bottom string being an E, I kept brain farting the first fret of the B as an F (instead of a C), the eighth as a C (instead of a G) and that. I had to exclusively play my five for months so I could retrain my head and fingers.

When my son started, his teacher and I directed him to just start on the 5er, and he'll just always have that in his toolbox, rather than getting used to something new. Not like you can't find a way to play without it, but it's there when you needs it.

Now, when he plays one of my fours, he feels like he's missing a phillips screwdriver or something.

boynamedsuse · #10 04-12-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoffman6000

The key to the 5th string is knowing when and when NOT to use it. Don't play low just because you can. Use those low notes to give the songs direction! I started by using the 5th string as a thumb rest, now its just another string on the bass, no big deal.

Using the 5th string as a thumb rest was the most helpful tip I heard when I moved to 5 string. It takes the mystery out of it since you can consider it a 4 and start using the B string at your leisure.

Regarding starter DVDs, I tried and recommend the Rock House method DVDs featuring Chris McCarvill. The first two will take you from "zero" to good enough to start playing in a beginner band. The third one deals with slap and pop so you can follow your own interests with it or not.

GEAnderson · #11 04-12-2011, 06:59 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the advice.

My Yamaha TRB1005 is supposed to arrive on Friday. This week can't pass quickly enough!

canadian_man_44 · #12 04-12-2011, 09:41 PM

I played on a 4 string for 23 years before trying my first 5 string. Didn't really like it....probably because I had a little trouble adapting to the different feel and visual. I did get used to it after awhile, but ended up selling it when I got a great deal on my current bass, which just happens to be a 4 string.
Anyway, I picked up another 5 string a few weeks ago(Squier Jazz Deluxe V), had it set up and restrung with DR Black Beauties. Just to keep things simple while I got used to the 5 strings again, I left the regular silver string on for the B. Definitely a different visual but it made it much simpler for me to transition back into the extra string with the "regular" 4 strings being black and the B silver.

Audiophage · #13 04-16-2011, 10:43 PM

I actually just got my first 5 string after playing for nearly 10 years now. I have however had some time to ease into the transition by having access to a 5 string J bass when I was in college, as well as having friends who own various extended range basses.

The hardest thing to wrap your mind around is how to play the old patterns you are used to on a 4 string because it changes your whole frame of reference by putting another whole string in your way. Definitely do a lot of exercises for switching between the 5 open strings. Another thing that is useful is to practice scales and arpeggios through the whole range of the instrument, being sure to go down to the low b whenever you can. You can also practice playing your old 4 string riffs and patterns starting on the 5th fret of the low b string.

sammyp · #14 04-17-2011, 02:12 AM

just start by picking up a 5er and playing all the tunes you normally play on it...that's what i did...just started rehearsing my band's sets on 5 and going for some low B, C and D where appropriate ...it doesn't take long at all....leave the 4 string for 4-6 weeks and only play the 5 and it'll all come together ...then go back to 4 and you'll really appreciate both....that's where i am now ..for a while i thought i would never return to 4 but it's too simple, fun and feely compared to 5 to leave!