Only after mastering a 4 string, or early so that your fingers get used to stretching the extra distance?
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At what point should a new player try a 5 or 6 string?
- Thread starter RabidMusic
- Start date
If you are asking, then it’s time...
If playing a 5 or 6 string is appealing to you then you should give it a try.
There's nothing special about learning on a 4-string first. If a newbie wants to play a 5-string, I see no problem with starting out on a 5-string.
You should play or try anything whenever you want to. There is no school or bass builder that wants to see your '4-String Merit Badge' before you're allowed to try a 5 or 6. This is not a 'right' or 'wrong' answer question. You play whatever makes you happy and lets you get your music out.
Whenever s/he wants. No permission required.
When you see a player doing something on one that really blows you away and you want to do that.
When you want to play a genre (fusion, modern pop/R&B/country/gospel, etc...) where use of the extended range is prevalent.
When you want to play a genre (fusion, modern pop/R&B/country/gospel, etc...) where use of the extended range is prevalent.
After mastering the four string? So like, never?
I agree with others, there is no right or wrong answer.
As a person that went 4 then 5 then 6.
I think if someone is interested in a 6, then get a 6. I wish I started with 6.
As a person that went 4 then 5 then 6.
I think if someone is interested in a 6, then get a 6. I wish I started with 6.
Thanks. The extended range would be handy. I want to record some simple bass loops to pull into my Elektron Digitakt. Those loops don't always bottom out on E.
Guitar players start with six strings and they seem to be OK.
Well ... maybe not.
Well ... maybe not.
I always encourage new players to start on five. IMO it’s easier to transition down to four than the reverse.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
To me, 6 string is another level of freedom for improvisers and those who want to do a lot of higher register 3-note chords in their solos.
IMHO, one needs a 5-string when the music calls for it, or when you are just plain curious about playing one. IME, it is not just about the low notes, it is about fewer shifts to cover 2 octave passages.
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I don't think anybody has mastered any bass, especially the 4 string where more shifting is often required to play a particular passage, IMHO.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
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- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
At what point should a new player try a 5 or 6 string?
how about day 1?
how about day 1?
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
If range is all you need, it is pretty trivial to tune an EADG 4-string down to D or even C. The BEAD from a set of strings for a 5-string won't easily fit on a 4-string, due to the way the nut is configured, but a good guitar tech can set it up for you. Lot's of people play BEAD 4-strings.
That said, could it be that you just want one? It's OK. This is talkbass, LOL!
If you are just interested in expanding the lower range of your instrument, you can also consider the option of setting up a 4 string bass to be tuned BEAD.
It works very well for me.
By all means, this is Talkbass...get 2 of each!
