how often do you use the low B (5th) string?

[hgregs]

i got my first 5-string a few months ago (modulus quantum). and i wonder if i'm trying to use the low B too much. i probably use it as often as i use my high G string (i.e., several times in every tune i play). in fact, if i'm in the key of E or higher, i occasionally anchor myself on the low-B for parts of the song (is that wrong?).

the arcticle i'm quoting below (from an old bass player interview with phil lesh http://www.bassplayer.com/article/an...l/mar-08/34335) has got me thinking about it. everything seems fine when i practice (low volume) but then in a live situation - am i asking for trouble? anyone have any thoughts on phil's comment about playing in tune on the low B, or things getting muddy? how often do you 5-string players use the 5th string?

Did your playing change when you went from four strings to six?
At first I played mostly on the middle four strings, with an occasional foray to the top string. I used the B string mostly to get a fretted low E. The bottom string is difficult to play in tune above E, and it’s so heavy it’s hard to get the right amount of overtones so you can hear the pitch. So I can’t use all six strings all the way up the neck, because it doesn’t sound right. But I can go up the neck and treat it like a 5-string tuned E to C, which works well.

Basically, playing the 6 just made it easier for me to stay in one position, because before I’d be going up and down the neck all the time. That was a boon—and I just loved the instrument’s versatility.

What motivates you to venture down below the low E?
Dramatic effect! Rarely will I go below G on the E string, but some situations just call for it. You can’t stay down there for long, though, because it gets muddy. Also, the notes don’t like to stop—you can’t just lift your fretting finger to stop the note; you have to stop the vibration with your hand. That’s true of all the strings, of course, but the bottom string has more inertia, so you have to make more of an effort to stop it—making it difficult to play fast down low. But for “dropping bombs,” it’s great.

[DeliriumTremens]

on the tunes I play it on I use it on every song. If I didn't use the B why have a 5er?

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by hgregs

i got my first 5-string a few months ago (modulus quantum). and i wonder if i'm trying to use the low B too much. i probably use it as often as i use my high G string (i.e., several times in every tune i play). in fact, if i'm in the key of E or higher, i occasionally anchor myself on the low-B for parts of the song (is that wrong?).

There is no right or wrong, there's only what works for you, or not, in the context of your equipment, your ability and sensibilities, and the material. I agree with Phil on every point, in principle, but no two of us face the same set of variables.

Personally, I use the E, A, and D strings more than I use the B and G, but they are there when I need them. Like Phil, I like to drop a bomb now and then, not that I put myself in a class with him.

[mawalley]

Look at it this way - if you are a musician (artist), then who is anyone to tell you you're doing it wrong?

I say pound on it as long as you're happy with the sound.

I play a 5-string with a low B. I use it when the mood strikes me. There's no set rule for it, other than play what you feel.

Here's a question - would you tell someone who plays their bass in an alternate tuning (say drop D) that they aren't supposed to play notes that low very often???

Just my $0.02.

m

[mawalley]

Originally Posted by ggunn

There is no right or wrong, there's only what works for you, or not, in the context of your equipment, your ability and sensibilities, and the material. I agree with Phil on every point, in principle, but no two of us face the same set of variables.

Personally, I use the E, A, and D strings more than I use the B and G, but they are there when I need them. Like Phil, I like to drop a bomb now and then, not that I put myself in a class with him.

+1 what he said.

m

[ahollowhd]

I use my B a lot. I find the best part is being able to play across the neck instead of up and down. I play a lot of lines between the 5th and 12th fret using all 5 strings. Makes for less left arm movement. Also on any given string playing further up the neck on a fatter string produces a different (bigger) tone than the same note played in a lower position. Finally, you can put some serious bass to a song playing those 1st 4 frets on the B.

Hollowhead

[RTL]

I use the low B for dramatic effect as well, but it really comes in handy in my current situation - playing in a 3-piece with a piano and drums (no guitards!). For some reason, pianists really like Eb, so having the B string is pretty much mandatory for me. I like to get right up under there!

So yeah, I'm at the point where I don't even consider investing any real money in 4's anymore, out of fear that they won't get any use. So, I've got an SX Jazz and an SX PJ on the way

[lunker]

I use it to play the low D a lot because my band plays more than a few tunes in D and its nice to have it there. Otherwise, I use it a lot to for better movement economy. I've never had the tuning issue Lesh talks about so I use the B all the way up to probably the 16th fret from time to time. Consequently I use the G and C (I play 6ers) than I would if I didn't have the B string. I just play higher up on the neck that way.

Also the character of your instrument changes when you move up the neck and its nice to be able to produce lower pitches up around say the 12th fret.

Also if you have a heavy left-handed keyboard or a douchy guitarist (you should smack them first of all) its good to be able to go even lower.

[Alienation]

I agree with the "across the board" vice up and down concept. I have only 1 five string and it is hard to adjust to "throwing in" the "B" for me.

I like the playing options though so there is a place for everything.

[stflbn]

Almost every song. I've gotten to where I'll play a low E on the B-string rather than Open and just play the rest of the song from there.

[A_E_A]

I tend to only use the low B string for the extra low notes. The rest of the time i play it like a 4. There are exceptions and i use the B quite often in a gig. But the main reason for having it is versatility. I much prefer to have a 5 string which enables me to play songs without the need for drop tunings or changing guitars for different songs.

[MTMTEX]

Originally Posted by RTL

So yeah, I'm at the point where I don't even consider investing any real money in 4's anymore, out of fear that they won't get any use. So, I've got an SX Jazz and an SX PJ on the way

I am the same way even with 5's now. It has to be a smoking deal on a 5 for me to even look at it. All I play and look at are 6'ers now.

[bikeplate]

HI

So seldom that I pretty much play 4 string basses

Rob

[mrniceguy715]

I dont use that b note a whole lot but use the string tons. It can add tension or make a song a lil less boring if you swap a higher lower note. Took that from most old r and b and balled songs see how tensethey get around the 3rd time thru the form and mostof it is just from the bassist choice of notes

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by hgregs

i got my first 5-string a few months ago (modulus quantum). and i wonder if i'm trying to use the low B too much. i probably use it as often as i use my high G string (i.e., several times in every tune i play). in fact, if i'm in the key of E or higher, i occasionally anchor myself on the low-B for parts of the song (is that wrong?).

the arcticle i'm quoting below (from an old bass player interview with phil lesh http://www.bassplayer.com/article/an...l/mar-08/34335) has got me thinking about it. everything seems fine when i practice (low volume) but then in a live situation - am i asking for trouble? anyone have any thoughts on phil's comment about playing in tune on the low B, or things getting muddy? how often do you 5-string players use the 5th string?

Go fretless. This gives you the opportunity to play in tune on the B; I've found a lot of fretted 5's and 6's even are often out of tune in the upper registers on the B. Fretless gets around that nicely.

As for mud, pluck closer to the bridge with a stacotto technique.

I don't like to cite my own playing as examples of technique and sound because that's like bringing a duck to a cockfight, but if you heard how muddy I usually am, this improv I did on my L2500 FL is pretty amazing by comparison.
This is some doodling all of which is in half position with the lower parts on the B. You can actually sometimes hear distinct notes some of them played on the B.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...88#post7212788

LS

[basadam]

I recommend that
1st - ask your bandmates
2nd - record yourself and listen

Low B has a kind of attraction but things may not always sound the way they sound to us - the bass player.

The muddiness effect on upper frets is something I witnessed myself too.

Disclaimer: this post comes from a mostly 4-string, only occasional 5-string player.

[HogieWan]

I use mine semi-rarely. I will use it in just about every tune at least once, but I will use the low D for a whole chorus in some tunes. I tend to keep it restrained, most of the time, though

that said, I only own 5-string basses. If I could get the basses I want in 35"+ scale, I'd probably use the B more.

[edbutler3]

I rely heavily on the low B string. I'd say I use it about 5 times as much as the G string, and maybe 20 times as much as the high C. If I wanted to play 4-string for some reason, I'd most likely string it BEAD. (I used to do that with a fretless Fender Jazz, which was the last 4-string I owned.)

However, when I got my first 5-string back in '89, I mainly used the low B as a thumb rest! It took me quite a while to adjust my ears to the notes below the low D. Part of it was probably the lower quality amplification I had back then. It's hard to get comfortable with the lower notes if your amp isn't doing them justice.

[Brado]

I use the low B when I want a more "sub-ish" kinda' tone in the note. You can play an open low E/ or a fretted low E & get two different vibes. Also (as mantioned earlier) it's nice for playing in the 5th-9th fret range & not having to shift around as much....

[FL Knifemaker]

I use it all the time...........as a thumbrest