5-string vs 4-string bass - Easier for transposing?

[diegom]

I did try the search, but I didn't find anything related.

In an old post, in a different forum @BassCliff made the following statement:

Do you play a 5 string? It makes transposing on the fly a lot easier. Instead of moving to a strange position on the neck, just grab another string so all the patterns stay the same. For example, Michael Jackon's "I Want You Back" is in the key of Ab. Kelly sings it in the key of F. I could do it in that key on my 4-string but having a 6-string allows me to just start with the "F" on the "B" string and everything's the same, just a different position on the neck. I don't have to re-think the lines to make them fit.

How does this really work? I can't visualize playing the same 'pattern' (different strings and/or a few frets apart, I get that) and sounding in a different key.
Could someone elaborate a bit more?

Thanks!

Diego

 

[Mushroo]

If you move the finger pattern for "I Want You Back" down 1 fret, it will sound in the key of G. If you move it up 1 fret, it will sound in the key of A natural. If you stay on the same fret and move it up 1 string, it will sound in the key of Db. And so forth. If the singer requests "key of F" then you move the pattern down 3 frets, or, if you have a 5 string, down 1 string and up 2 frets. 5-string gives you an extra fingering option. Does that make sense?

 

[dreamadream99]

I can't visualize playing the same 'pattern'

Transposing on the fly works if you play a song without any open strings. You just shift position and pretend in your mind you are still playing in the original key.

 

[diegom]

Does that make sense?

Absolutely!
I don't have a 5er yet, so I tried this with a song with root on the 3rd string, just to see how it feels...
Darn it, if it doesn't work like a charm!!!
I'll be seriously looking into getting a 5-string now! (Maybe even a 6!!)

 

[pappabass]

Yes, I play a lot by patterns. Like playing by tab. You can move that "pattern" anywhere on the neck for a different key. The 5th string allows you not to be playing a song too high on the neck. Espically if you play in E or F. I have regressed back to my 4 because of the very small venue we play at. We don't have a drummer so playing up on the neck is OK.

 

[bassbully]

Having the B strings makes transposing easy for me. I really stay on the E fifth fret on the B all night since it's easy to play on most major songs. This way every key is below my fingers or a close fret away.

 

[BassChuck]

How often do you guys have to transpose on the fly? I've been playing steady for 40 years and had to do it maybe twice. (well, there was that once time I had to move everything around cause I broke D string)

 

[Mushroo]

How often do you guys have to transpose on the fly?

I'd estimate I transpose on the fly perhaps 50% of the time.

Most of my playing these days is backing up my singer/songwriter friends. It's very common for them to use a capo, alternate tunings, sing a cover song in a different key than the original, "let's modulate to G for the final chorus," etc.

 

[SadowskySteve]

I love my 5 for just this. Having to change keys. Open mics, new singers, I will always bring my 5'er.
Singers as they get older typically need to use a lower key from the original.

 

[IamGroot]

How often do you guys have to transpose on the fly? I've been playing steady for 40 years and had to do it maybe twice. (well, there was that once time I had to move everything around cause I broke D string)

I did a jazz gig with a vocalist who changed the key of standards about 50% of the time. He announced the name of the song, the key and counted it off.

 

[2strings2frets]

I did a jazz gig with a vocalist who changed the key of standards about 50% of the time. He announced the name of the song, the key and counted it off.

Anyone have an easy way to switch from a 4 to a 5? I own both but don't play the 5 much. I feel blocked by the xtra string when trying to learn a new number from tab because all the tab I have found is for a 4. I do read notation but find tab easier. Thanks

 

[IamGroot]

Practice every thing 1) using the B string as your reference point , and 2 ) using the E string as your reference....until you get comfortable.

For example, play blues in E at the 5th fret and play the blues in A using the low E on the B string.

It will become 2nd nature quickly. I play 4 and 5 interchangeably. 6 string is tougher keeping the strings muted.

 

[Mushroo]

Anyone have an easy way to switch from a 4 to a 5? I own both but don't play the 5 much. I feel blocked by the xtra string when trying to learn a new number from tab because all the tab I have found is for a 4. I do read notation but find tab easier. Thanks

(Relevant to the topic of this thread) Take some songs you already know well, and transpose them to lower keys. This will force you to use the 5th string.

For example, take a song that is originally in the key of E, and transpose it to the keys of Eb, D, Db, C, and B.

For extra credit, write out each transcription in standard notation. This will wean you off the TAB.

 

[micguy]

I end up transposing pretty much every week. Worship music - I play in different churches with different singers, so I play in every key at one point or another. But I do it on a 4 string; occasionally one tuned in D standard, which brings a whole other twist to things.

 

[2strings2frets]

Thank you all