Eb songs and 5 string bass

[Lesfunk]

If the band specifically is a “1/2 step down” band all the time, I match their tuning.
If it’s only for a couple of songs, I will transpose, but I’m not interested in reconfiguring every line that I play all night just to prove I can.

 

[J Wilson]

Never. I'd simply move down a 1/2 step.

Never gigged that kind of music but I worked up several songs from APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION, some Van Halen, and played them all down one fret.

I bought a five to skip all that re-tuning, and for a half-step, it's no big deal.

 

[basseux]

There are exceptions, songs I've played in E forever

Superstition

In some alignement of the planets our singer found it to low for her, and we played it a semi ton above.

 

[dkelley]

I never retune my bass... it always has seemed to dramatically shorten the lifespan of my strings, and it also throws me off because I know what notes are played where by ear, not to mention if I'm reading a chart.

just play on 4th fret. it's the first hand shape we learn on bass.... 2nd finger (of 4) on root fret... the scale goes out from there. Unless you are playing in minor or various modes (common in metal) then first finger on root.

 

[thewildest]

I would tell the band players that I did drop my tuning to Eb, but in fact I would keep it tuned in E. And then play E when they play Eb.
And then see the dynamics, and blame the drummer or something.
I am not detuning my instrument for no band.

 

[dkelley]

oh yea, and someone mentioned digitech drop. if I'm playing through my helix then I can tune down that way. it always does mess with me though.... you get the pitches ingrained in your brain (I have nearly perfect pitch memory... perfect pitch memory for certain notes that have been critical to me my entire life like A 440), and changing how the instrument works is a brain game for me. But it is perfectly valid to detune or use a detuner effect... whatever works.

 

[GreyBeard]

I refuse to tune down, I transpose.

 

[Tim Skinner]

My experience with guitar players who tune to Eb is that they continue to refer to the music in terms of E tuning, e.g using a D chord shape and calling it a D, although pitch wise it's now Db. So for that reason I'd be tempted to tune down as well to simplify matters. But it depends on the band, the music, and how comfortable you are transposing.

Same issue with songs that use a capo. Our band uses the app Songbook and t is synced so everyone sees the same thing. I've gotten pretty adept at transposing in my head. lol.

 

[devnulljp]

My experience with guitar players who tune to Eb is that they continue to refer to the music in terms of E tuning, e.g using a D chord shape and calling it a D, although pitch wise it's now Db. So for that reason I'd be tempted to tune down as well to simplify matters. But it depends on the band, the music, and how comfortable you are transposing.

Not to mention the dreaded capo, where they shout "B" and you have to magically know whether they mean "B" or "B shape chord but with capo on 4th fret so actually Eb" or "the B section of the song"

 

[iiipopes]

Transpose.

 

[Dega60]

I first started playing a 5 string in a (cover) band that was all over the map with tunings. D# (Eflat?), C#, Drop C, Drop D - Guitar players were bringing 3 guitars each I was lugging 2 and sometimes 3 basses. I was also at the time not as good a player as I am now and was struggling with some tunings and songs. I bought the Fender Jazz V 5 string so I could "cheat" and make it a little easier to get by. Instead of multiple cases I brought one bass and a Morpheous drop tune pedal. Life was good . . . Until I figured out the you really can't cheat the songs. Some, yea but If your going to play Velvet Revolver's "Slither" or Fake It by Seether you better bust out the 4 string and start learning the tuning and the 5 string was NOT making it easier.

Now I pretty much play the fours only. Last time the 5 string was out of the case was to take pictures for a Craigslist add to put it up for sale (Still have it if any LOCAL Arizona TBers have an interest LOL)

 

[johnh89]

I must live a very sheltered life . I have never seen or even thought of a capo on a bass . It seems that all you would do is lose part of the fretboard . If a song is in F , I cant imagine anyone would tune up half a step . Maybe I'm missing something .

 

[ole Jason]

I prefer to transpose with one exception... guitar riff based bands where every song is tuned down. If the expectation/musical need is that the bass follows guitar parts I think it sounds more consistent if the bass is also tuned down.

 

[Dega60]

I must live a very sheltered life . I have never seen or even thought of a capo on a bass . It seems that all you would do is lose part of the fretboard . If a song is in F , I cant imagine anyone would tune up half a step . Maybe I'm missing something .

I'm with you - I've used a capo on guitar and even my mandolin on occasion but have never seen or even thought of capoing on a bass either . . . Do they even make a capo that would work on a bass?

 

[QweziRider]

If the band is tuned to eb do you tune to eb as well or transpose everything down a string and up 4 frets?

Transpose.

 

[bherman]

OK I'm confused, a a 4-stringer who has dabbled occasionally in 5, I thought was the whole point??? (except for throwing the occasional low note bomb)

 

[bassliner50]

I expect you'll have a hard time being compatable and communicating with horn players if you must down tune. You can play in all 12 keys with BEADG, or EADG. Why contort the universe?

 

[perfektspace6]

Played in a band at one time where the guitarists tuned down to E flat. I always transposed.

 

[LowActionHero]

I'd tune down if the whole band was tuned down, transpose if it was a random song or 2.

I use a Digitech Drop pedal to match songs on YouTube that are in a different key or tuned down. I've also used it live to simulate a 5 sting on a 4 (BEAD) , and might use it live if one song was in Eb or something similar

 

[Element Zero]

If it’s more “riff based” music, I wouldn’t hesitate to tune down to match. If it’s a few songs and there’s no in depth signature riff that the bass matches with the guitar, I’d stay in standard.