5-string Effects for 4-string Bass

[G0n]

I recently started playing bass at my church, and play a lot of contemporary Christian music. We lost some singers so we’ve had to change the key on many of our songs into lower octaves, which now puts my 4-string bass into 5-string note territory. Outside of buying another instrument, what are some ways you guys/gals would recommend getting to those low notes? Thanks!

 

[ex-tension]

I recently started playing bass at my church, and play a lot of contemporary Christian music. We lost some singers so we’ve had to change the key on many of our songs into lower octaves, which now puts my 4-string bass into 5-string note territory.

This is the 'Pickups & Electronics' section, not really the correct place to ask this question I think. You might try the 'technique' section for better response.

Outside of buying another instrument, what are some ways you guys/gals would recommend getting to those low notes? Thanks!

Also you might try the 'Effects' section.

 

[RhinoBass]

How much lower? A 5 string only extends your range down another 4 half-steps. Lots of bands just downtune a half or even a whole step (just depends of your tolerance for floppy strings). Also, there's nothing wrong with just playing the song and playing any C, C#, D, or D# in the in the regular 4-strung range. Most people wouldn't notice the difference.

 

[G0n]

This is the 'Pickups & Electronics' section, not really the correct place to ask this question I think. You might try the 'technique' section for better response.


Also you might try the 'Effects' section.

Thank you! I did not see either of those sections when I first selected the topic. I’m using an iPhone so I may have missed them due to size.

 

[G0n]

The original key is in Bbmaj, with the new key adjusted down a half step (A). In the recording the bassist has tuned down to Bb on the fifth string, so now I’m at a low A. He doesn’t always play the low Bb, however, so you’re probably right in thinking I can get away with just playing a little higher in the register.

 

[Scotty4string]

If you don’t want to buy a five string, I would just play the song in whatever key you change to with the notes available. Since you are changing the key, you technically aren’t playing the correct notes anyway.

 

[Derek Kay]

What would James Jamieson do?

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Yeah, just play an octave up....highly doubt you'll get many people noticing and even fewer that would say something about it.

 

[micguy]

How much lower? A 5 string only extends your range down another 4 half-steps.

Actually 5 - B, C, C sharp, D, and D sharp

 

[bigdaddybass12]

String the bass BEAD

 

[micahwc]

Tune to D standard and, if necessary, use an octave pedal.

 

[G0n]

Yeah, just play an octave up....highly doubt you'll get many people noticing and even fewer that would say something about it.

This is probably what I’ll end up doing since I’m going right into another song. I’ve an effects processor arriving tomorrow, so I’m going to play around with the octave effect as a backup plan.

 

[factory presets]

String the bass BEAD

Got some bead strung basses and I love it. Also got comfortable on a 5 string over a week. But BEAD took me a little longer. I see 4 strings, I'm thinking E to G. Judging by the number of posts from people struggling to adapt to 5ers, BEAD might be problematic in a deadline situation. Maybe have a bass strung EADG available in case you don't make it.

Of course root notes don't have to be the lowest notes you play. People played in all twelve keys for centuries before 5 string electric bass guitars were invented.

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

String the bass BEAD

This....

 

[micguy]

Of course root notes don't have to be the lowest notes you play. People played in all twelve keys for centuries before 5 string electric bass guitars were invented.

During those centuries, they had pianos ….that go lower than a 5 string bass.

 

[gerryjazzman]

Another technique that sort of emulates a note sounding an octave lower is to play a double stop with with a fifth above the root note. For example if a low C is called for, you would play the C on the third fret of the A string and the G on the fifth fret of the D string. It’s not exactly the same thing but it gets you in the ballpark particularly if you provide a slight increase in bass boost. Try it and see how it sounds.

 

[G0n]

Another technique that sort of emulates a note sounding an octave lower is to play a double stop with with a fifth above the root note. For example if a low C is called for, you would play the C on the third fret of the A string and the G on the fifth fret of the D string. It’s not exactly the same thing but it gets you in the ballpark particularly if you provide a slight increase in bass boost. Try it and see how it sounds.

Interesting! So essentially a power chord (if you don’t mind me co-opting that term).

 

[gerryjazzman]

Interesting! So essentially a power chord (if you don’t mind me co-opting that term).

Basically yes. That’s what it is.

 

[ctmullins]

Another technique that sort of emulates a note sounding an octave lower is to play a double stop with with a fifth above the root note. For example if a low C is called for, you would play the C on the third fret of the A string and the G on the fifth fret of the D string. It’s not exactly the same thing but it gets you in the ballpark particularly if you provide a slight increase in bass boost. Try it and see how it sounds.

Most definitely. I use this technique regularly when playing my four-strings.

 

[dutchwife]

What would James Jamieson do?

Ask you to get his name right?