You must play a 5-string

[nboyer941]

I'm looking at trying out for a local cover band. They insist that I play a five string. I generally play a 4 string.

This concept seems very silly to me. Is there any good reason for this?

[John Bigboote]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

I'm looking at trying out for a local cover band. They insist that I play a five string. I generally play a 4 string.

This concept seems very silly to me. Is there any good reason for this?

Did you ask them?

-jb

[dmusic148]

Not really, no. Did you ask why?

[bassteban]

Well at least they're telling you up front- if that's too much to ask, find another gig.

[duderasta]

probably they tried a four-string player who was unable to deal with drop tunings or re-tuning on the fly... A lot of guys have trouble with it. I think it is an odd requirement too, having a second bass for odd tunings, or just one tuned B-E-A-D should be acceptable alternatives.

Just talk to them about it, and as already stated ask why.

(I play 5-strings now, and it is simpler... but I never had a problem dealing with alternate tunings when I player 4's either)

[Jefenator]

If they know their material and know that a lot of it calls for the low-B range, that's cool.

If they're listening with their eyes and are just going for a modern image thing, that's not so good.

[nboyer941]

I just sent an email asking why.

I would have problems dealing with a BEAD tuning. I suppose I should practice that. I've never played that way before. Only standard, 1/2 step down and drop d or c.


*edit* I know all the notes of the fretboard in standard tuning. When I go to BEAD....that just messes it all up. Whats the best way to know what I'm playing?

[MooseLumps]

I also think it's about drop tunings on the fly. if you want as little space in between songs as possible, there really is nothing better than a fiver.

If you can handle it, take a four-banger and amaze them. prove them wrong about the need and everyone can go home happy

[DiabolicLow B]

The current band I am in requires a lot of low D and lower, as well as changing keys from time to time, at first I was using a 4 string and got tired of tuning down and never got very comfortable with it anyway.
I switched to 5 string and it has made things so much easier, not just the lower notes but also more comfortable scale positions and no more tuning between songs.

[reedo35]

What type of music are you covering? I am also basically a classic 4 String player, but in the cover Band That I am currently in, a lot of the more popular newer tunes require an extended range if you want to duplicate the Bass Lines accurately, without tuning way down.

[JimmyM]

i hate 5-strings, but if it means the difference between getting paid and not, i'll play my only 5 without complaint. who cares?

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i hate 5-strings, but if it means the difference between getting paid and not, i'll play my only 5 without complaint. who cares?

+1

[Grantrudd]

+1 to what jimmym said.

at the end of the day, the band leader is the one paying you, so you better play what he wants, no matter what the reason. I am a 6 string player, but the good old fender jazz comes out for one of my gigs where the singer likes that look better. silly reason, but who am i to argue.

[shaft311]

Originally Posted by Jefenator

If they know their material and know that a lot of it calls for the low-B range, that's cool.

.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

When I go to BEAD....that just messes it all up. Whats the best way to know what I'm playing?

I bought a decent reasonably priced 5 string for the purposes of getting comfortable with it should I need it.

First thing to realize is that the top 4 strings are just like your regular 4 string. You can just play them and make a 5 into a 4 if that's what it takes for your mind to get around it.

Second, it might help if you translate some of the lines you already know into utilizing the low B.

Third, you can possibly use this Downloadable fretboard learning file utilizing Microsoft Excel or Excel file reader to help memorize the 5 string fret board( or 4 string).

[DrSmaggs]

Play what you play. Don't go out of your way just to be in a band, unless you really want the gig and you will be happy.

[MatticusMania]

Up to this day (and for a while afterward) Ive played 4 stringers exclusively. A former drummer turned bassist told me I should get a 5 string, and Ive had 5 strings 'pushed' at me by other people (a former Manager included). I have resisted, and when i wanted to try something different went with a 4 string fretless. After all this time, Ive finally broken something in my mind and now I actually WANT a 5er. So, my next bass with be a 5 string fretless.

[bnutz]

It's probably drop tuned stuff (especially if it's a modern rock band) but it also makes transposition a lot easier, too.

I prefer 4s, but have been using my 5 more often for modern rock (and even country) gigs. I also have a 4 strung up BEAD and that works pretty well, too.

-b

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

I'm looking at trying out for a local cover band. They insist that I play a five string. I generally play a 4 string.

This concept seems very silly to me. Is there any good reason for this?

Extended range

[Bass Viking]

Originally Posted by nboyer941

I'm looking at trying out for a local cover band. They insist that I play a five string. I generally play a 4 string.

This concept seems very silly to me. Is there any good reason for this?

Are they actively gigging and earning money? If not, I wouldn't shell out money to buy another instrument just because it's a prerequisite for joining them.