5-String Song Suggestions

[drlndrve]

I'm an intermediate player trying to learn 5 string. I've been working exercise books, but would like to find some easier to intermediate
songs that lend themselves to 5 string playing. I appreciate any suggestions.

 

[ba55i5t]

All songs do. Try playing your favorite songs but using the 5th fret on the B string as the beginning of the fretboard. I hardly use the 5 lower notes of the B string but use the alternate positions all the time.

If it helps, put a capo on the 5th fret and go from there.

 

[dreamadream99]

Just think of your 5 as a 4 with some extra low notes. Play the top 4 strings the way you always do, and just know you can now throw in a low D or C for emphasis when needed, or for special effect.

The worse thing you can do is live in that sub register now that you have it. Use it sparingly, for coolness.

The other cool thing about a 5 is that you can now play low E, F, and F#on the B string in the middle of the neck, rather than have to stretch down by the nut.

 

[biguglyman]

Shine by Collective Soul has a relatively simple line that lends itself well to that low D. I love playing it...

 

[Element Zero]

Honey Bee - Blake Shelton
Church Bells - Carrie Underwood
Offbeat Bare Ass - 311
Perry Mason - Ozzy Osbourne

 

[FunkHead]

Slither by Velvet Revolver.
Torn by Creed.
Superstition.

 

[Adhesive_X]

 

[JW56789]

IF you're at all into 'hard' rock or metal where they've detuned to E-flat or more, follow Dream99's suggestion as a starting point playing your low E on the B-string. I never paid a lot of attention to this until I learned 'Welcome to the Jungle' (E-flat on the recording) in E-flat from the B-string. Ed VanH sure likes his E-flats, as well.

This is where a five comes into its' own, to be able to play across the fingerboard in any key. Having one just to pickup a few low C's and D's is just too much work for too little return ! Instead of a 'four-string with some extra low notes', once you begin to think of it as a five-string bass with the easier, extended fingerings, you're there.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Rock On by David Essex will use all five strings. There are several Pink Floyd songs that the five string works very well for as well as some Yes tunes. On all of these songs, I play below the fifth fret on the B string. It sounds great! Good luck.

 

[AFRO]

I do not have a "Song" Suggestion, but I recommend doing an exercise running Arpeggios in 3rds and work toward 7ths.

so R-3-5-O (O for the octave) this will help you to learn the fret board and chord tones in the same exercise eventually you will add in the 7th notes so R-3-5-7-O (Octave) if your track/nome has a '5 click' it will work with the 7th exercise. otherwise just do R-3-5-7 to a 4/4 beat.

Set your drum track, or metronome SLOW!!!!! -like the lowest speed it goes- and get the notes crisp and accurate. start with Whole, or Half notes and work up to quarter notes.

Do it around the circle of 5ths.
Do it in Major and Minor.
Do it Clockwise on Odd days and Counter Clockwise on even numbered days (or vice versa).

Run it a month solid and it should improve your playing and musicality.

its not as fun as songs but knowing the fret board is invaluable because it will help you learn songs faster.

 

[lokikallas]

You're no good- ronstadt

 

[lokikallas]

Most any Stevie wonder song

 

[FunkHead]

Most any Stevie wonder song

Yep. And any Van Halen just about.

 

[lz4005]

Most any Stevie wonder song

He does like E flat.
Same goes with SRV and Guns n Roses.
Or literally any song in C. Which is most pop and country vocal songs.

 

[SteveC]

Well, all the detuned tunes (the stuff in Eb) you can just detune and do on a 4 string.
I use a 5 but have considered going to a 4 string except that I do Uptown Funk and Ain't It Fun in my current cover band. They really need those low notes. I could have a detuned 4 string and swap basses but I hate switching mid set. Ruins the flow. That's really the main reason I play a 5 these days. I can do anything at any time. I also play in church where we transpose A LOT and it's just easier on a 5 string most of the time.

I do have an inexpensive but nice 4 string that would be a fine bass for 98% of my needs, and some of it does feel better on a 4 string, but until I make the choice to note go low and just play and transpose things up, I keep playing my 5. I may put some new pups in my 4 to make it sound better and maybe I'd use it more.

 

[lokikallas]

I actually disagree about tuning down a 4 (mostly), I think songs written in E flat on a detuned guitar should be played on a e flat detuned bass, Stevie Wonder actually plays in E flat on the Keys (very common for keyboardists) I would rather play those on a standard tuned 5 string.

 

[IamGroot]

I keep a beater bass tuned to Eb for transcrption, usually use a 5 live.

Steve Wonder does some songs in Cb. On keys, its not hard. C natural is actually one of the hardest keys for piano ( all white keys, asymmetric LH/RH fingering.)

Gospel genre uses the low C.

 

[James Collins]

I'm an intermediate player trying to learn 5 string. I've been working exercise books, but would like to find some easier to intermediate
songs that lend themselves to 5 string playing. I appreciate any suggestions.

Any drop D song. Try Everlong by Fu Fighters.

 

[Groove Master]

I don't have any specific songs to suggest because any song you already play would do.

My advice is this: Play the 5 strings bass as a whole instrument and not like a 4+1 like a lot of inexperienced players do.

So play a song you know and when you feel a part, a note or a section can be played an octave lower just do it. That way you will get a sense of what a real 5 strings is.