In an old band we played Velvet Revolver's Slither. It's pretty difficult to play without an open D string. The fact I was singing it also meant there was no way I would play the song in BEADG.
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5 string question
- Thread starter LowActionHero
- Start date
I’ve gotten used to playing most drop d parts using the low b string, but there are still some here and there where tuning the e down to D is the only way to really get the feel right imo. It really just depends on the song. A good example is Hey man nice Shot by Filter. This is a super easy basically one string bass part song to play in drop tuning but it’s more difficult than it’s worth to play that chorus riff on a 5 string hitting all those D notes on the 3rd fret of the b string instead of being able to hit an open low d.K, I just bought my first 5 string, still bonding with it. Haven't had a band rehearsal since I got it. My question is - does anybody drop the E to a D for Drop D songs? My band has a few, and I know I COULD play D on the B string, but for songs where the riff rides the open D it would be awkward. And it would save me some 'relearning' songs I already know and don't want to relearn (and relearn again if I play my 4 string). Anybody do this? Just curious if it's weird or fairly common. Not that that's ever stopped me...
Sure. Just because the low B string makes it possible to play a song without retuning, that doesn't mean that's automatically the best way to play the song.
I'm always mentioning Tool - Sober as an example of a song where playing it correctly requires drop D tuning no matter what bass you're on, and in contrast, Chaka Khan - What Cha' Gonna Do For Me would be a headache in drop D, and for me lays much better on a 5-string.
So many options! And they're all potentially valid.
I'm always mentioning Tool - Sober as an example of a song where playing it correctly requires drop D tuning no matter what bass you're on, and in contrast, Chaka Khan - What Cha' Gonna Do For Me would be a headache in drop D, and for me lays much better on a 5-string.
So many options! And they're all potentially valid.
The best thing about a 5-string bass is being able to fret that low D (and others afforded by the B string). I almost never play an open string. This may mean more to me than it does to other folks. My band does a lot of improv, some requests, some sit-ins from other musicians in the regional scene - plus I sub once in a while in other bands- so it just makes a lot of sense for me to pretend open strings don't exist.
I mean.. if the song calls for riffs relying heavily on an open string rather than just playing from the key of D.. why not just use a drop tuned 4 string? BDADG sounds like a low B string getting in the way to me.
Most of what I write/play personally doesn't fall on open strings to begin with.. one of the strongpoints of a 5 string is being able to play lower notes without having to shift to a position lower on the neck. Drop tunings tend to make me feel limited in what I can do.
My vote - keep the 5 banger standard, get an inexpensive 4 banger and keep it tuned to drop D, and intonate it specifically to that tuning to have on standby for songs where your riffs depend on an open low D.
Most of what I write/play personally doesn't fall on open strings to begin with.. one of the strongpoints of a 5 string is being able to play lower notes without having to shift to a position lower on the neck. Drop tunings tend to make me feel limited in what I can do.
My vote - keep the 5 banger standard, get an inexpensive 4 banger and keep it tuned to drop D, and intonate it specifically to that tuning to have on standby for songs where your riffs depend on an open low D.
But unless he's playing a super long scale guitar, dropping the B to A could result in a somewhat floppy feel.
Except that on a fretless open strings are your friend because they provide on the fly tuning reference points
As others have posted, on most songs that I would've dropped to D on a 4-string, I just play the 5-string as normally tuned.
I do have a drop tuner on the B string and occasionally de-tune to A. That allows a two-octave reach at a fixed position on the neck, which works well for some tunes, including a few I might've D tuned on a 4-string. Of course, you also have the access to the A0.
I do have a drop tuner on the B string and occasionally de-tune to A. That allows a two-octave reach at a fixed position on the neck, which works well for some tunes, including a few I might've D tuned on a 4-string. Of course, you also have the access to the A0.
Do what works best for you.
In my case the fretted D on the B string is the exact reason I wanted a 5ver in the first place. I sounds great (on my particular setup) and I don't have to mess with a dropped D string.
If the fretted D didn't sound good, I'd drop the E to D just as you described. Some songs need that D!
In my case the fretted D on the B string is the exact reason I wanted a 5ver in the first place. I sounds great (on my particular setup) and I don't have to mess with a dropped D string.
If the fretted D didn't sound good, I'd drop the E to D just as you described. Some songs need that D!
I have done it though my first choice is to not de-tune... if I feel like it I will drop that E to a D to get that low D droning beneath an upper register line which cannot be done by simply fretting the D on the B string.
Got a pic of this? I have wanted to put a D tuner on one of my fivers but I can't picture how it would work with the B tuner right there.
When I first bought a 5 string, I tuned the B string to A, thinking if the notes were in the same location as the A string, it would be easier to learn. I was wrong. And I was losing the primary benefit (IMO) of a 5 string which is many more positions on the neck to play my 'moves'. For that reason I would not want to move away from "standard" 5 string tuning.
Yeah, that's what I'd like to avoid. I'd like to be in the moment and not thinking too much, especially if I switch back to my 4 string with the detuner. Several songs don't go to D enough to be a problem, but the few that do... I don't want to make it harder than it needs to be. I gave it a try a today, no biggie. I just ignored the B string when I dropped to D.
I likes it!
NICE! that's kind of my thoughts. There's a chance I might start jamming with our sound guy and/or his band. He's more into Tool and newer stuff like that, like me. More that the rest of my band.
I'd be fine with that, and one of these two will be my backup for the other. But I don't want to have to think too much if/when I switch. I think I have my answer, probably had it from the beginningOr take back your 4 strings, and drop the D
Take your 5 when you need to go lower
, just curious how weird I was being.Apparently not weird enough
, I'll work on that.Thanks everyone!
I've been playing a six for a very long time. I don't often use a drop D tuning, but the reality is sometimes it just makes sense to do so. I think you'll find you'll be able to play some songs more fluidly if you use drop D even if you don't physically have to.
K, I just bought my first 5 string, still bonding with it. Haven't had a band rehearsal since I got it. My question is - does anybody drop the E to a D for Drop D songs? My band has a few, and I know I COULD play D on the B string, but for songs where the riff rides the open D it would be awkward. And it would save me some 'relearning' songs I already know and don't want to relearn (and relearn again if I play my 4 string). Anybody do this? Just curious if it's weird or fairly common. Not that that's ever stopped me...
Depending on my mood I’ve done it. My advice would be to make sure you know it both ways, and just do whatever you feel like doing at the time.
Why not try something completely off the wall. Replace the B with a dedicated drop D gauged string. Let than B, but heavier than a standard E. This could open up interesting runs that just might make your guitar player give you that "the bassists runs are better then mine" panic look. This is usually the point in time where i kick in the sub octave fuzz and start a riff that makes the drummer play "harder than a diamond in an ice storm". 
For covers that are originally played with a DADG tuning I just down tune the E. I play lots o tool and rage so I just play the riffs like normal. Most of anything heavier I play like slipknot or fear factory is played with a B string.
