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Am I foolish starting on a 5 stringer.
- Thread starter XICO
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- beginner advice
As with any other instrument you can start playing 5 string basses at any time of life.
I'd suggest just playing the top 4 strings to start with. You know that already, then you can add the B string when you feel comfortable. You will have to modify your technique, but if you take it logically that should not be a problem. Floating thumb might work but as most 5 string players don't use it it's not a requirement. I would stick with, and expand, what you know, rather than trying to learn 2 new things at once.
You might have a tendency to stretch to reach notes. Don't do that. Move your hand to position your fingers over the notes you want to play. Always keep your hand moving.
I'd suggest just playing the top 4 strings to start with. You know that already, then you can add the B string when you feel comfortable. You will have to modify your technique, but if you take it logically that should not be a problem. Floating thumb might work but as most 5 string players don't use it it's not a requirement. I would stick with, and expand, what you know, rather than trying to learn 2 new things at once.
You might have a tendency to stretch to reach notes. Don't do that. Move your hand to position your fingers over the notes you want to play. Always keep your hand moving.
Four string basses only have twelve notes that you can't hit on a regular guitar, so an extra five notes is huge!!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
You (OP) stated that you played piano, but said nothing about playing guitar. 5 string basses can cause GUITAR PLAYERS fits because it disturbs the orientation that they develop on guitar. Cowboy chords, then bar chords all rely on orientation of the E and A strings. Though string numbering on a guitar is 1E 2B 3G 4D 5A 6 low E. In spite of that guitar players actually SUBCONSCIOUSLY THINK of the low E as string one. Playing 4 string bass is easy for most guitar players. Add in that low B string and the brain goes katywampus. The left hand is still seeking to orient on the lowest string and it is a cerebral experience to get the left hand to know where it is supposed to go.
OTOH, those not indoctrinated into guitar playing have no finger orientation yet. Learning the fingerboard from scratch will make it so there is little if no difference because you're at ground level learning. I was that guitar player who had an easy time on 4 string and was forced to take on 5 string... and it took some time. But now, I have five 5er's and one lonely 4 string that sits at my daughter's house in case I have to run a bass track for her.
But even if your fingers are fuddled with a 5 string now, STICK WITH IT. You will adapt over time. As you are just learning you aren't going to have to go out and perform with it in the next 20 minutes. So don't freak out because it's got 5 strings. And don't worry about the side of your hands. You will have to figure out the best height of the bass and angle of the neck (always use a strap for consistency sitting or standing). IMO a little higher position is better than a little lower to keep your left wrist straight and allow your fingers to extend.
Short scale? IMO don't bother unless you are really struggling. My first 5 string had a 35" scale length and a wide neck. I was certain I was going to return it within the 45 day return period. In a month I grew into it and didn't return it. For some things I play the longer wider neck better than necks with things spaced closer together.
And btw... below is a video of a little girl playing a full size 5 string bass. You will see that short fingers have nothing to do with playing accuity.
OTOH, those not indoctrinated into guitar playing have no finger orientation yet. Learning the fingerboard from scratch will make it so there is little if no difference because you're at ground level learning. I was that guitar player who had an easy time on 4 string and was forced to take on 5 string... and it took some time. But now, I have five 5er's and one lonely 4 string that sits at my daughter's house in case I have to run a bass track for her.
But even if your fingers are fuddled with a 5 string now, STICK WITH IT. You will adapt over time. As you are just learning you aren't going to have to go out and perform with it in the next 20 minutes. So don't freak out because it's got 5 strings. And don't worry about the side of your hands. You will have to figure out the best height of the bass and angle of the neck (always use a strap for consistency sitting or standing). IMO a little higher position is better than a little lower to keep your left wrist straight and allow your fingers to extend.
Short scale? IMO don't bother unless you are really struggling. My first 5 string had a 35" scale length and a wide neck. I was certain I was going to return it within the 45 day return period. In a month I grew into it and didn't return it. For some things I play the longer wider neck better than necks with things spaced closer together.
And btw... below is a video of a little girl playing a full size 5 string bass. You will see that short fingers have nothing to do with playing accuity.
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Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
I would argue that it ain't about the extra notes not available on a four-string; it's about the ease of fingering patterns across the fingerboard, IME & IMO.
Strangely my interest was not in learning guitar. So have no experience on guitar or any stringed instrument. So bass is my first fretboard learning experience. Piano was my first instrument and still my main thing. Played a bit of tenor saxophone awhile back. (That was fun). When I listen to music my ear always searches to hear what the bass is playing.
The deal with me learning bass is to engage in a new brain learning activity. Stave off potential declining mental faculties. Best way to keep your brain healthy is too learn something new. I just happened to choose something really cool.
Good point on the hand thing, I have watched her on YT, its insane.
Being able to to run two octaves in a single position is a convenience. Personally, I think it hinders Fret board knowledge. I feel it’s far more important to be able to run three octaves horizontally across the neck than two octaves in a single position.
Single string scales are a standard teaching method, which promote horizontal playing. Personally, I think learning horizontally is a much more thorough method of learning the neck
We should be able to do both.
Anything that can be played on a 4 string can be played on a 5 string. There is nothing in a 5 that prevents us from playing up the neck. It just gives us the added option of playing more notes across the board.
Actually, I was also considering getting a 7-string guitar. The lowest string is also B, just like on a 5-string bass.
If a 4-string bass is more comfortable, they are for many people, go for it.
If you like the way a short-scale bass feels, buy one...more good short-scale basses available now than ever before.
Furthermore, you might really like flatwounds or tapewounds, definitely easier on your fingers. I would have never progressed to the point I'm at now had I stuck with factory roundwounds.
No need to make learning any harder than possible.
If you like the way a short-scale bass feels, buy one...more good short-scale basses available now than ever before.
Furthermore, you might really like flatwounds or tapewounds, definitely easier on your fingers. I would have never progressed to the point I'm at now had I stuck with factory roundwounds.
No need to make learning any harder than possible.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Of course both are important. I never stated the false dichotomy you suggest.
Off topic I know...
But this made me really tempted a giving it a second chance, and buying another of these amazing 6 string basses.
I would tune it E to F though, E standard tuning.
I might, but need to think this through properly.
I started on a 4 then didn't play for a few decades. When I came back I went with a 5 and have since added a short-scale 4 so it's been a journey. Enjoy yours!
I have no idea how a 7 strings guitar is designed and wouldn't have a clue as to how to use one. 6 string bass is another story.
I'm sorry, but I disagree for someone who has no previous guitar experience. My own experience and those of my friends says otherwise. The REAL difference between PLAYING a 4 string bass and a 5 string bass is HAND ORIENTATION. It may seem effortless to just add that extra B string- but it is not. I played 4 string bass for a long time before handling a 5 string. I couldn't just "ignore" the B string and play it like a 4 string. My brain would keep asking me "Am I on the E string, or the A string, or what"... and it took a TON of cerebral attention and I still struggled. But I stuck with it becasue I knew I had to reorient my whole left hand approach. One friend said to me; "Put your 4 string under the bed for 6 months". And he was pretty right on. It took me 6 months to be comfortable on a 5 string and a year to feel natural with it. I suspect it would be easier to go from a 5 string to a 4 string as I have found going from a 5 string to a 6 string. IMO it is all about how the hand learns to orient from the beginning. JMO
Not crazy at all. You have more range to play with, and while it'll mean a slightly longer learning curve, the extra colour at your fingertips as you learn your craft will pay dividends in the future.
