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5 String - Freedom or Handicap?

#41
I started on 4 string, changed to a 5 string 15 years ago. I have started back on a 4 for open mic & very small venues. One thing I love about a 5 string when a song is in the key of E or F, you can start on the 3rd string on the 7th or 8th fret depending on key, and you have an entire octave to work down. You are not stuck on the 4th string open (E) or 1st fret (F) being your lowest note and having to always go or walk up. It benefits me because I am a 'down' player, I will octave or 5th down & work my way back up.
 
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#42
The only handicap to a five string is that there is another string to mute. If you learn the floating thumb technique, you can mute five, six, seven, etc strings. What you gain is mostly the ability to play the same patterns on the E string that you would on the other strings. Say, you're playing a G, third fret on the E string and want to play a D. On a four you have to go up, on a five you can drop down. IMO, Eb on the B string is the biggest advantage to a five. If the B string only had an Eb, I would still play a fiver. Yes, my profile pic is a four banger. When I don't "need" a five I will play a four string. I like them for some situations like slapping (which I've been asked to do once or twice) and especially Drop D tuning. "Killing in the Name" rocks more on a drop D four than a five.
 
#43
A 5 string (6,7,8) is just a 4 string, with a few more options.
You can play it exactly the smae, or, use the options any number of ways.

I don't use the lower notes on my 5 string all that much; but, I do use the various positioning options to make runs across strings easier for me.
And, I can play the same runs on different gauge strings if I want a fatter or thinner tone for some particular riff...

ymmv
 
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#44
Semion N. said:
Hello all!

I hope I am not angering any mods by making *yet another* 5 string thread, but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for in the older threads.

As opposed to instrument recommendation, I would like to talk about concept for a moment, and would be glad if both 4-string people and 5-string people reply here.

The first time I played on a 5-string I actually liked was this week - and this is because they're very rare here in the mainstream shops, and non-mainstream shops are kind of far apart so I can't just walk into one on my way to somewhere else. Anyway, while thinking about whether the B sounded good in relation to the other strings, I realized by accident that I could reach two octaves from any note on the B with a span of only 5 frets. This is opposed to 10 frets on a 4-string (from the E). Now, I'm not really technically strong, but most of the stuff I like to play aren't specific songs, but more walking bass or blues kind of jam stuff. This freedom, at a first glance, is a blessing! Two octaves, without super-shifting and mega hand-eye coordination! What kind of amazing things can be done with two octaves? And this is without pushing into the lead guitar's world (which is why I am not talking about 6-strings here).

But then another thought hit me - 4-string players have that ability to super-shift and hand-eye-coordinate. They do it all the time. If I play a 5, I will never have the need to develop this! Sure, if I want 3 octaves I can get it with 17 frets and 5 strings, but why would I? Would this mean playing on easy-mode forever? How will this impact my overall ability?

I am saying this because when I started playing bass (without even trying to play guitar first), I played for a year and a half solely on an Acoustic with Flats. If anyone tried that, you know this requires tremendous physical strength. So the first few months were rough, but then when I finally moved to an electric (due to volume issues) I've had absolutely no problem fretting on any kind of string anywhere on the fretboard.

So does this mean I need to reach a certain "achievement" of skill in order to feel safe moving to a 5? Like playing a two-octave span of any kind of chord anywhere, fast and with all types of fingerings, without thinking about it, etc? Or should I put the technical difficulty aside and focus on the music?

What do you guys think? Of this idea in general and my dilemma in particular.
Click to expand...

The only thing that is different about a 5 string is that is has a bigger neck, smaller string spacing, and 5 lower notes. That's it.
A 6 string has an even bigger neck and small string spacing, 5 lower notes, and a handful of higher notes.

If you want those notes, play the bass with the ones you want. I don't play up high, so a 6 string is useless to me. When I play a song that needs a low B, I play a 5 string or a 4 string tuned BEAD.

You are thinking WAY to hard about something that is actually very simple.
 
#45
socialleper said:
The only thing that is different about a 5 string is that is has a bigger neck, smaller string spacing, and 5 lower notes. That's it.
A 6 string has an even bigger neck and small string spacing, 5 lower notes, and a handful of higher notes.

If you want those notes, play the bass with the ones you want. I don't play up high, so a 6 string is useless to me. When I play a song that needs a low B, I play a 5 string or a 4 string tuned BEAD.

You are thinking WAY to hard about something that is actually very simple.
Click to expand...

Narrower string spacing is not a given.
Of my 9 (?!?!?) 5 strings, they're mostly all 4 string spacing.
G&L and MM and such, with narrower spacing, totally bug me.
 
#46
I play tuba, so I think of 4, 5, or 6 strings like a tuba with 3 valves, 4, valves or 5 valves. They all play the same stuff, but the additional valve lets you hit some pedal notes that are not as easy, or even possible on a 3 valve tuba. They also let you play some notes with better intonation or a slight difference in tone. They aren't different instruments, just different versions of the same.

I played 5 string for awhile, but realized I could do 90% of my songs with a 4 string and I could cover the other 10% with an octave pedal or down-tuning. I still enjoy playing a 5 string every now and then, though.
 
#48
Those positions and fingerings you play on a 4 string you can also play on a fiver using the same strings, positions and fingerings (that is, without the low B). Indeed, there may be times when you'll want to.
The same note played on different strings has a different tone. Sometimes you may want one tone or the other. Sometimes when the notes are short and fast the tone won't matter and the convenience or speed may be more important. I like playing fivers for the added low notes and also for that two octave span across the fingerboard, though I still sometimes play the same phrasing going up or down the fingerboard as on a 4 banger. It's nice to have the options. Similarly, sometimes I'll play a line mostly based on the D and A strings that I could also play on the G and D strings, though the tone of D and A strings is better suited for the particular line.
 
#49
It has pros and cons.

Pros: 1) Access to lower notes, 2) More notes available in any one position, 3) Nice to have the frequently used low E as a fretted note

Cons: 1) More effort needed to mute unwanted string vibrations, 2) If you're used to a 4 string, you'll need to spend time getting adjusted to a 5-er (i.e. Why is my lowest string not an E string) and some people never get comfortable with it, 3) Why bother when some of the greatest bassists did most if not all their work on a 4, i.e. Jaco, Jamerson, Wooten, Prestia
 
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#50
stringthrough said:
3) Why bother when some of the greatest bassists did most if not all their work on a 4, i.e. Jaco, Jamerson, Wooten, Prestia
Click to expand...

That's completely inconsequential.
Vic does occasionally play a 5.
We don't all play fretless jazz basses.
We don't all play P basses.

If all I've ever used is a phillips and flat head screw driver, when I come across something with a torx head, I need to get a torx screwdriver. Your previous experience and the work of others is of no use in that situation. If you need a torx, you need a torx. If you need a low B or a high C, you need it. They are tools to be used for a job; that's it.
 
#54
the only restriction with a 5er would be if the ergonomics didnt suit you, its the same instrument just with extended range, on the 6 strings the necks sre getting so big that ergonomics arw beginning too become a bigger issue
 
#56
I think your shifting concern is mitigated by the tonal differences of the same notes in different positions - you'll still want the 1st position low F for its sound, and you'll also be going to it from low C's and etc.

In addition to low notes, you will also have additional harmonics, if that appeals to you, maybe test drive a 6'er also. But just play whichever bass feels best in your hands, sounds good, and looks cool.
 
#57
First of all, this thread is a great read, and I thank yaall's for taking the time to contribute. I am learning from each of you.

2nd of all, the parameter ignored here is time. I have very little time to practice, and because of that, I am intimidated by the concept of an 'easy-mode' bass that may bring 'fake' results in playing and prevent me from wanting to work hard and get 'real' results.o

3rd, in the end, I did get the answer I am looking for. Yes, I want those 5 low notes. For myself, no other reason. But more than anything, I want to go past this very specific hurdle which is 'knowing all the fretboard'. Yeah, I'm pretty good up to fret 5, and I know that C is the 8th on the E string, but I need to seriously focus on this thing and stop being afraid of slow progress.

The 5-string extends the amount of notes you can play by knowing Geometry, scales and where the notes on the B string are. But this is an illusion of skill. So I will get it once I unlock the fretboard.

And finally, guys, I'm an engineer. It's literally my job to overthink.

Thanks guys, love yaall.
 
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#58
Marc valero said:
I like to end some songs on a low note also, for example on Long Train Running I always (not just the ending) drop down to the low C note on the "without love ..... where would we be now."
Click to expand...
Tiran Porter didn't and it still didn't suck, I not sure why folks are so hung up on these really low notes.... I mean its fine and all but they also tend to be lost in the overall sonic spectrum of a band setting and really how vital would it be if you didn't have those couple extra notes, would life just not be worth living ? I can tell you that music really didn't suck all that bad before the contra bass came along. Just my opinion mind you
 
#59
Semion N. said:
Hello all!

I hope I am not angering any mods by making *yet another* 5 string thread, but I couldn't find the answer I was looking for in the older threads.

As opposed to instrument recommendation, I would like to talk about concept for a moment, and would be glad if both 4-string people and 5-string people reply here.

The first time I played on a 5-string I actually liked was this week - and this is because they're very rare here in the mainstream shops, and non-mainstream shops are kind of far apart so I can't just walk into one on my way to somewhere else. Anyway, while thinking about whether the B sounded good in relation to the other strings, I realized by accident that I could reach two octaves from any note on the B with a span of only 5 frets. This is opposed to 10 frets on a 4-string (from the E). Now, I'm not really technically strong, but most of the stuff I like to play aren't specific songs, but more walking bass or blues kind of jam stuff. This freedom, at a first glance, is a blessing! Two octaves, without super-shifting and mega hand-eye coordination! What kind of amazing things can be done with two octaves? And this is without pushing into the lead guitar's world (which is why I am not talking about 6-strings here).

But then another thought hit me - 4-string players have that ability to super-shift and hand-eye-coordinate. They do it all the time. If I play a 5, I will never have the need to develop this! Sure, if I want 3 octaves I can get it with 17 frets and 5 strings, but why would I? Would this mean playing on easy-mode forever? How will this impact my overall ability?

I am saying this because when I started playing bass (without even trying to play guitar first), I played for a year and a half solely on an Acoustic with Flats. If anyone tried that, you know this requires tremendous physical strength. So the first few months were rough, but then when I finally moved to an electric (due to volume issues) I've had absolutely no problem fretting on any kind of string anywhere on the fretboard.

So does this mean I need to reach a certain "achievement" of skill in order to feel safe moving to a 5? Like playing a two-octave span of any kind of chord anywhere, fast and with all types of fingerings, without thinking about it, etc? Or should I put the technical difficulty aside and focus on the music?

What do you guys think? Of this idea in general and my dilemma in particular.
Click to expand...

If you are talking with respect to practice, shouldn't you be playing all scales and arpeggios in 2 octaves anyway?
 
#60
I wouldn't worry about handicapping yourself, but a change now and again is good for you.
For myself, learning to play UB forced me to use open strings and play stuff in positions I wouldn't use on the EB. When I finally get a 5 string, I'm sure I'll have some AHA moments!
 

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