Double Bass 5-String Questions

[Happynoj]

Hi. I will be buying a new double bass within the next six months, and am considering a fiver. However, I would like to ask some of the people who own these instruments some questions.

1- Low B or high C? I am thinking that the C would be more useful, as next year I will be doing a music degree, so will probably be doing lots of solo work. There doesn't seem to be a great need for notes lower than an E anyway. Am I right?

2- Could you (or do you) have a high C with a C extension?

3- Should I just stick to a four?

Thanks

 

[Bill Bentgen]

There's an article on 5-string basses on my website.

http://www.billbentgen.com/bass/5_string-basses.htm

You can always get high notes with your fingers. It's tough to get lower notes without an extensio or an extra string.

 

[Silversorcerer]

If you go for 5, usually the low string BB is added. It's an alternative to a C extension for the E string. I think a high C string for orchestral work would be unusual. Solo tuning strings are a little higher pitched but not by a 4th.

I suppose you could have a low C-extension on the E string and have the others tuned A-D-G-C. I can't see why not. It would certainly make more sense than a 6- string. My preference is for the modern orchestral 5 string tuning BB, E, A, D, G, but I'm sure other things are possible.

 

[sneaky pete]

Go for the 5 string as a low B. If your planning on studying on college the C string will be in your way mostly as solo lit and orchestral lit has only the G in mind. For orchestra stuff it's nice to have the low D's and C's when needed (not often) and for jazz or more it's very handy.

I bought a christopher 304 7/8th with a low B on it, decent bass for a hybrid. The B takes a different touch than the E or A. Most people who play it don't like having the 5th string, says it confuses them, whatever, it isn't a big deal. If you can get a 7/8 size go for it since the B will need a bigger body to project. Use good quality strings for the bass, err on the bright side, it's easy to make a B string too dark.
p

 

[LOBass]

It depends on what your intended use for the fiver will be, so you'll need to answer that question first. Generally for solo classical work, one uses a 4-string with solo strings (tuned one step up form the standard bass). The literature and most of the standard fingerings assume this setup and will give you the most options for solo pieces. Additionally, for solo work a smaller body bass works better because it will have a better sound in the higher registers. Generally a fiver has a bigger body to project the low B or C tones and are not as well suited for the higher registers. Don't get me wrong, a fiver with a high C can be a lot of fun and give you access to the higher registers more easily than a 4-string, but it is more of a novelty and probably not as much in demand from a resale perspective.

I bought an old (somewhere between the 1880's and 1920's) German fiver last year and have really been enjoying it. It is set up with a low B and is a pretty large, violin cornered body. If you are used to playing a 4-string it takes some time to get used to it, but once I did, it has been a real kick. If you plan on playing the classical literature in a symphony orchestra, you will be suprised how often the bass part calls for notes below the low E string. It's usually only occurs in some isolated spots, but when you play those notes in the correct octave it sounds great and really puts the bottom to the chord. I am at the point now where when I play my 4-string in the orchestra it feels like I don't have complete bass! It's great to be able to play those low notes easily without messing with an extension or reverting to playing them up an octave.

My advise is that unless you want a very specialized instrument, go with the fiver with a low B or C. If you want a bass for solo work, get a 4-string and set it up for solo playing.
Tom

 

[Happynoj]

Cheers for the input. Having had little experience with a five, it is good to hear the opinions of some people who know what they are talking about! I think I am know shifting towards the B more!

 

[Hector Wolff]

I play mostly orchestra music and I'll say that whenever you play Bach or Handel or even Hadyn, you will find many instances of low C or D.

In some cases it is just a simple matter of playing the note up an octave.

In some cases that note is part of a musical phrase, and then it is a matter of transposing the whole phrase up and ocatave or breaking the musical flow of the phrase by jumping up and then back down.

As for solo work at a conservatory, I could be wrong, but I would think they expect you to rely on good thumb position technique and not to side step the issue by relying on an extra string.