I'm looking for a good teaching method specifically for five-string BG with a low B. It needs to be a book, not an online or YouTube approach. Any suggestions?
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Book for learning five-string BG
- Thread starter Bruce Calin
- Start date
I've heard very good things about Ariane Cap's books, you might check them out. The low B isn't going to change anything in regards to your patterns, scales, and theory. I gives you a few lower notes and more options for playing things horizontally instead of vertically, but otherwise it's exactly the same as a 4-string bass.
My question relates to a new student who got a five string as a gift and is a complete beginner. I haven't had much experience with them and would like to be able to show the student the most efficient approach. I'd like to incorporate the fifth right away and not just as an extra string if that makes sense. I understand the similarities but could use some help using the fifth more inclusively. I can adapt patterns but that takes time. Stuff I can use immediately would be great. Thanks for the suggestions,
From a complete beginner's learning perspective the only difference between a four and five string bass is that a fiver is harder to learn on, because the fiver tends to have a wider neck, it is usually heavier and more work goes into muting.
In less words, the fiver has more minutae to incorporate into your training. That makes for a bit slower progress.
As a complete beginner, any good bass instruction book will benefit you. The principles are the same. Check out Hal Leonard publisher's offerings.
In less words, the fiver has more minutae to incorporate into your training. That makes for a bit slower progress.
As a complete beginner, any good bass instruction book will benefit you. The principles are the same. Check out Hal Leonard publisher's offerings.
It’s hard to find a really good method for four string bass let alone five string bass. That’s why when teaching I take bits from many books and my own material and many other things.
Don’t know any method book that is designed specifically for five string bass. For a student I think it’s easier or better to start on four and than later move on to five string.
Don’t know any method book that is designed specifically for five string bass. For a student I think it’s easier or better to start on four and than later move on to five string.
I'd just use Ed Friedland's Hal Leonard Electric Bass Method and supplement it with reading classical etudes and exercises -- cello and double bass. You can find a lot like this one at imslp.org: 20 Exercises for Cello, Op.11 (Merk, Joseph) - IMSLP
I just started using five-string for pit band work, and I've been getting my reading on the fiver up to speed by playing double bass etudes. So it's working for me, anyway!
I just started using five-string for pit band work, and I've been getting my reading on the fiver up to speed by playing double bass etudes. So it's working for me, anyway!
BTW, if your student needs to sight read music on 5-string, Sight Reading Factory is a very flexible source, and is not very expensive.
Steve Bailey has a book that is called something like "Five String Bass" I believe it's out of print, but there are copies floating around.
- I just got hold of a brand new one by Nate Navarro simply titled "Bass". It's specifically for 5string and is very well put together IMO. He has quite an online presence and the book has lots of online references for demos. Something I really like about it is it incorporates the B string right away as part of the total board, not as just an extra string, which to me is very important. This book is exactly what I was looking for.
Bruce, Came across your name. I was a guitar player in Omaha, did a few sessions with you at Sound Recorders with Bob Jenkins. Stayed with you and Maggie in the Twin Cities one weekend. I am living in Spain but, still have a place in Iowa. Would love to hear from you. [email protected]
best, Bruce
