Going to a 5 string

[walknbluez]

Wasn't sure where to put this.

I have a Fender jazz 4 string currently and my proficiency level is intermediate. I plan on buying a P-bass real soon and it just came to me that perhaps I should consider a 5 string. But then all sorts of questions arose, getting used to that fifth string. I know its just one more string but I'm wondering what the learning curve is so that my fingers don't instinctively go to the wrong string when going for a D (and instead hit a B. It would be nice to have even more bottom end when needed.

If this needs to be moved, please let me know.

[boamedt]

i was in the same situation you are in. But i had a 4 string pbass and wanted a 5string jazz bass. Im glad a went 5strings when it was time for my next bass. I love the low end and low notes you can only get on the B string. it only took about a month to get used to that 5th string.

[Traver]

About a week.

[Jake of Bass]

You got used to playing with 4 strings, yeah? There's your answer

I started out playing 5's, got three of them now. Watch out, you might get the bug too!

[Ric5]

For many years I was determined to play only 4 strings. This lead to multiple tunings. I had 3 basses with different tunings. But I still needed lower notes. So I went to 5 strings. It takes a while to get used to it. You will go through a phase where you will sometimes grab the wrong string. But now I am a 5 string only player. To me the 4 string bass is missing a string.

[Jake of Bass]

Originally Posted by Ric5

For many years I was determined to play only 4 strings. This lead to multiple tunings. I had 3 basses with different tunings. But I still needed lower notes. So I went to 5 strings. It takes a while to get used to it. You will go through a phase where you will sometimes grab the wrong string. But now I am a 5 string only player. To me the 4 string bass is missing a string.

+10

Simply *love* those lower notes. Use only when required, it's easy for the inexperienced player to go overboard and forget there is an upper register too

[gibsonpenguin]

you should just get the 5 string and get use to that 5th string! The lower the better!

[fish slapper]

I guess I'm slower than the rest of you. I got my first 5er last year and I still sometimes hit the wrong string. But yes, its addictive especially running low D upto an E.

My advice is to not overuse the B string. Its best left for a "only use when needed" rather than just going low because you can.

[Mike Shevlin]

The first time I played any bass was in 1980 my first day in high school - An Aria Jazz bass. My first thought was, 'That's as low as it will go?' I wanted to go lower. I couldn't wait to go lower & yea, it takes about a week.

[HogieWan]

Originally Posted by fish slapper

My advice is to not overuse the B string. Its best left for a "only use when needed" rather than just going low because you can.

I think this is true. That low note sounds so good when it's kind of a surprise! I like the string spacing a bit tighter, so I'm more comfortable on a 5.

Plus, you get a thumb rest down the whole neck!

[twangchief]

Originally Posted by fish slapper

I guess I'm slower than the rest of you. I got my first 5er last year and I still sometimes hit the wrong string. But yes, its addictive especially running low D upto an E.

My advice is to not overuse the B string. Its best left for a "only use when needed" rather than just going low because you can.

Super good advice. I played 4-string for 25 years and then made the switch to 5 -string. It took me about a month until I stopped hitting wrong notes. I now own more 5-string basses than 4-string but occasionally play the 4-string basses with no problem.

[bassbrock]

Make the jump. I did and now I find that a 4-string is harder to play because I think the E is the B string!

[WillieJ]

Just workin from the very start of your post with -- "walknbluez" -- I'll share that its taking me a bit to get used to 5 strings. I play mostly blues, lots of walking basslines. I love the extra real estate of 5 strings, and how having more notes avail in any one position makes me think anew about note choice. ((And I have to say I've only 5 strings since late Nov)) ... but at present, I get lost "feeling" where I am. After decades of feeling two strings lower than where I am (on say the D-string), when I'm on the A now, part of my brain (I think that's what I've heard referred to as the 'Reptilian', autonomic motor part) I 'feel' like I'm on the D and ... oops, wrong change! It'll pass, but that's what I'm finding the biggest challenge...putting 20+ years of 4-string muscle memory behind me.

[DudeistMonk]

You'll have it down before you know it...I rarely use my low notes on the 5 but I love all the extra fingering patterns it gives you, its nice to be able to hit an F in all the way up on the 6th fret. Also I find the string spacing is great for stuff like raking, but crap for slap...sort of a trade off.

[walknbluez]

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

You'll have it down before you know it...I rarely use my low notes on the 5 but I love all the extra fingering patterns it gives you, its nice to be able to hit an F in all the way up on the 6th fret. Also I find the string spacing is great for stuff like raking, but crap for slap...sort of a trade off.

I'm not a slap player so no worries there. I would like to be able to drop a bomb every once in a while, sparingly when necessary. Without ever having tried a five string though, I'm a bit nervous about just up and buying one. But it seems from what everybody is saying that the learning curve is months, not like a year or anything. So I'll probably go for it.

[bass'n it]

I played 4 string bass mot of my life then one day decided to go to the 5 string!...I love it that low "B" when used correctly is awesome....it does,however take a bit of getting use to the string spacing and learning all the notes on the "B" as opposed to what most of us are use to on the "E".Took me about a week.......get one I think you'll like it.

[Captain_Arrrg]

How are you with the E string?

Ok, the B string is like that, but all the notes are 5 steps lower and it comes before the E string. If you can wrap you head around that, you're good to go. In addition to lower notes, it makes playing easier by placing more notes under your hand, which I for one find invaluable.

I have one 4 string, three 5 strings (one tuned E-C) and one 6 string. Sometimes I go to the wrong string when I switch between them, but once it's apparent that my mind is still playing the last bass, I can kick it into the correct gear.

[LedBelli Bass]

Having the 5th string really opens up the options on fingering certain modes.

I have two 5's and one 4. The 4 is a jazz bass that I use for "classic" type gigs where the look is as important as the music.

Otherwise, it's a 5-string's world out there . . .

[Silas Martinez]

Originally Posted by Captain_Arrrg

How are you with the E string?

Ok, the B string is like that, but all the notes are 5 steps lower and it comes before the E string. If you can wrap you head around that, you're good to go.

Off Topic Theory Nitpick.....

One fret = 1/2 step. 5 string vs 4 string = 5 half steps lower.

Sorry. Please go on. Thats just one of those things that may throw someone who is getting used to theory.

[jollygiantchris]

I recently picked up a 6banger after playing 4s for my entire playing career. About 3 weeks in (not playing as much as I should either) and I am still adjusting I give it another 2-3 weeks before I hit the right strings all the time. HOWEVER, when I go back and play my 4 it feels like a children's toy and I can blaze on it. I would imagine that with a 5 string it isn't much different.