Playing 5 string advice

steve2 · #1 04-11-2007, 07:06 PM

I have played a 4 string bass since the late 70's and I have now decided to get a 5 string bass. I played one for a few minutes once and was totally confused. Just curious since you have the added B thru E flat notes do you use it a lot when you play in those keys or just on ocassions. I guess it just takes some time to get use to it. Thanks for any info.

Steve

sport88 · #2 04-11-2007, 09:00 PM

I started playing 5'ers about 10 years ago,,,,,and because you always know that the E string is your reference point, it takes a little while to get used to it. Now a 4 string feels wierd to me. 5's are great when you want that low D & C. Enjoy it and experiment !

aunchaki · #3 04-11-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sport88

5's are great when you want that low D & C. Enjoy it and experiment!

I agree! I started playing a 4-string that a bandmate gave me a year ago (I know, a newbie). I have few skills and am completely self-taught, but I have fun. About six months ago, I got a 5-string for my birthday and love it.

I'm lost without the B string. I hardly even play the B, but I can't live without the low D. My 4-sting is tuned to drop-D, but I'm going to take it down to BEAD -- switching back-and-forth is too confusing to my poor brain.

I have started trying to play more up the neck. In fifth position, it's just like a four-string (EADG on top, plus a new high string that I seldom use).

Try it, have fun!

IanStephenson · #4 04-12-2007, 10:09 AM

I played around on a few different five strings over the years, and found that some COMPLETLY threw me out, but one or two I could play almost instantly with virtually no confusion.

I recently was given a nice 5 string as a birthday present from my wife (cool huh!) - it was a surprise, so I didn't get to try it out, but found that I could play it without any major adjustment (ok the odd momment of confision, but not the disasters i've had plucking one string and fretting another!). I'm still gigging 4 string, but using the 5 a lot at home, and switching is no problem at all.

The only explanation I can come up with is that the new 5 has 18mm string spacing at the bridge - more or less the same as a 4 string bass. This makes the neck pretty wide, but as the spacing is what I'm used to it's easier to switch - of course I haven't tested this, so could be completly wrong, but whatever the reason, I've found some 5 strings easy to play and others have baffled me.

I'd recommend trying a few and seeing if one clicks with you.

I agree that low D is a must have, but my 4 string Kubicki's have a low D anyways, so they're staying as my main gig bass. Playing a 2 hour set, I can live without the extra weight of a 5 string, but 5 is great to experiement with (I got a second 5 almost immediatly to try with a high C - now thats a LOT of fun).

Ian

stabbicus · #5 04-12-2007, 11:06 AM

I bought my 5 string about 2 and a half months ago, and after the initial getting used to the extra string, I have become more accustomed to it. I enjoy the extended range that it provides, and it allows me to play some of my band's songs, that would normally require more movement of my fretting hand, effortlessly. I use the low B constantly in that aspect.

PaulMacCnj · #6 04-12-2007, 11:23 AM

I started playing a 5 string about 10 months ago. The first thing I did was treat it like it was a different instrument than a 4 string. That might sound like, "Well, Duh!", but they really are different "animals" and it's worth the effort go back to the basics. Play a bunch of scales involving the B string. Play simple basslines with the root on the E and play the 5th below on the B string. Do this to get the feeling and sound familiar to you.

Honestly, finding and playing the notes on the fretboard didn't give me much trouble. It was the tighter string spacing and over-all width across the strings that felt weird to my plucking hand. Keep at it, as much as you can, and it will feel natural pretty soon.

Paul Mac

kenlacam · #7 04-12-2007, 12:20 PM

I've been playing 4 string for 17 yrs, and started on the 5 string about a yr ago. Since i play pretty much by feel and patterns ( i don't read music or know most of the notes), it was simply shifting the patterns to the new string, everything else is pretty much the same. except for slapping and popping, which took some getting used to, with the strings being closer together.

Joe Nerve · #8 04-12-2007, 12:34 PM

I had a rough time getting used to a 5. I kept confusing the B string with an E, and it just didn't feel "right" to me. I had to use it though for a certain gig, so I threw the towel in and played a 5 exclusively, for almost 2 years. I got used to it, and now switching back and forth to a 4 is no problem.

Aside from the one group where I needed the extra low notes, I hardly used the B string. When I did it was usually up the neck to get notes in different positions. I can also slap a lot more easily on a 4. Just responding to let you know that you WILL get used to it, if ya want to. I tought it was hopeless for me at one point.

Fuzzbass · #9 04-12-2007, 12:44 PM

I played four string exclusively for over 20 years. When I decided to get a fiver, I put down my fours and concentrated on five. I was gigging with it after 1 month, and after a 2nd month or so I felt comfortable on it.

I now play five string exclusively. It's the bomb! I can do everything I can do on four string plus more. I transpose easier than before. Key of Eb, Ab, Bb? No problem!

I love playing fretted E. And I play the B string above low E more than I do below. A neat thing about fiver is that you have the option to play four string riffs five frets up and one string down. That gives you more range up top rather than down below!

My advice to you: when you practice five string, learn new songs on it. To me, that was easier than playing songs I'd played for many years on four string. But if you need to re-learn your old favorites on five, then that's fine too... all you have to do is practice and you'll get used to it. Good luck, and welcome to the darker side!

Swift713 · #10 04-12-2007, 01:08 PM

I played 4 string for 23 years until last year. It took about a month to feel really comfy on the 5. Since I also play guitar the narrower string spacing of my Tony Levin wasn't uncomfortable. The neck is hardly wider than my 4 string. Most of the tunes I used to play on a 4 I play the same way, ignoring the B string.

bassclefman · #11 04-24-2007, 02:48 PM

It's easier to slap the bass on a four string bass guitar, doing it on a five string requires a little more precision but it's not impossible.

KayCee · #12 04-24-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2

I have played a 4 string bass since the late 70's and I have now decided to get a 5 string bass. I played one for a few minutes once and was totally confused. Just curious since you have the added B thru E flat notes do you use it a lot when you play in those keys or just on ocassions. I guess it just takes some time to get use to it. Thanks for any info.

Steve

I think that you should gradually work the B string into your playing. Often times, you can tell that a player has just purchased his first 5-string, as he'll seem to be finding excuses to rumble around down there all gig long.

In the meantime, it's also serving as a great thumb rest (and that's no joke, you're not at the mercy of pickup placement!)

Xoryn · #13 04-25-2007, 10:59 AM

I have played four strings in all of year of playing, I had tried a few 5 strings but found them really odd and difficult to use because of my short fingers. I also found it really hard to adjust to. Until recently, when a 5 string Warwick Rockbass caught my eye when browsing in a shop out of town. I decided to give it ago and absolutely loved it, took me no time at all to adjust to it I was using the B string in my playing right from the word go. It opens alot of new possiblities up and makes it so you rarely(if ever) have to tune down again. I also ensure that I play my four string just as much as well so that switching between the two is very easy to do.
My opinion is, that a 5 string is not for everyone but don't rule them out like did because you might find one that completely changes your view on them.

trashjazz · #14 04-25-2007, 11:14 AM

Can you sting 4string bass with BEDA strings. Is low B to low for pickup made for 4str.

lemur821 · #15 04-25-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashjazz

Can you sting 4string bass with BEDA strings. Is low B to low for pickup made for 4str.

It should be fine.

Throckmorten · #16 04-25-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trashjazz

Can you sting 4string bass with BEDA strings. Is low B to low for pickup made for 4str.

Watch the thicnkess of the B string in the nut slot. It could be snug. Might have to adjust the height at the saddle and possibly reintonate. But aside from possible issues at the nut, it's nothing you can't handle.

It's an idea I've had as well. Let us know if you try it.

DocBop · #17 04-25-2007, 02:23 PM

At first it's a visual and feel thing having that extra string but that goes away after playing it for a few days to a week.

I have played five string off and on for a few years. I never used the B much unless I was down below the fifth fret to get those extra notes. That has changed now that I got a bass that the B-string is very defined not muddy so now I find myself using the B more up the neck to keep from shifting down.

I also took one of my 5-strings and strung it up with a high-C instead of the low-B and that is a blast to play. I can play cleaner chords and great for soloing. It helps in sightreading and not have shift up for just a couple notes.

Have fun and experiment you find how you want to approach having the extra string.