How do I get used to a 5-string bass?

[GwennyT]

Hello,
I have been playing a 4-string for quite some time now, and after trying many 5-string basses at the local Guitar Center, I really don't like the feel of 5-strings. I want to play a 5-string bass for classical arrangements, but I just hate the feeling of that one extremely thick string against my fingers after I pluck the E string. Thoughts?

 

[Crawforde]

Maybe try lighter strings tuned EADGC, or DGCFBb?

 

[bass12]

A lighter gauge might help (eg, 40-120). Otherwise it's probably just a matter of getting used to it over time. If all you've done at this point is try some 5 strings out in a shop then it's not surprising you find them uncomfortable.

 

[Killing Floor]

Lighter gauge strings. But really a B is always bigger than an E. So you have to accept the difference.

 

[Jefenator]

I found the hi C was more relevant than low B for playing solo stuff like Back cello suites on 5-string bass guitar - back when I was into that sort of thing.
If you really need the lower register for what you are doing, there probably won't be much way around having that thick string.
I suppose one could develop an EADG 4-string with a C extension like they do with double basses for the symphony. (Kubicki does a D extension on a 32" but no one has gone farther that I am aware of. Might make for a super badass low C but would also add a lot of length.)
I just roll with the thick low B for both instrument families.

... and rock an old-school 4 when the range isn't needed and I want to feel a little less restricted.

 

[GwennyT]

I found the hi C was more relevant than low B for playing solo stuff like Back cello suites on 5-string bass guitar - back when I was into that sort of thing.
If you really need the lower register for what you are doing, there probably won't be much way around having that thick string.
I suppose one could develop an EADG 4-string with a C extension like they do with double basses for the symphony. (Kubicki does a D extension on a 32" but no one has gone farther that I am aware of. Might make for a super badass low C but would also add a lot of length.)
I just roll with the thick low B for both instrument families.
View attachment 5239396
... and rock an old-school 4 when the range isn't needed and I want to feel a little less restricted.

Is that a dang 5 string upright?! I've never seen one of those!

 

[Jefenator]

Is that a dang 5 string upright?! I've never seen one of those!

Apparently they're a thing; I've spotted others on YouTube.

 

[Stevorebob]

Hello,
I have been playing a 4-string for quite some time now, and after trying many 5-string basses at the local Guitar Center, I really don't like the feel of 5-strings. I want to play a 5-string bass for classical arrangements, but I just hate the feeling of that one extremely thick string against my fingers after I pluck the E string. Thoughts?

Just play it. You will become accustomed to it in a short time.

 

[Lo-E]

Apparently they're a thing; I've spotted others on YouTube.

They’re around. I know a number of NYC double bassists using fivers.

 

[Lo-E]

“How do I get used to a 5-string bass?”

Practice.

 

[Eminor3rd]

I don’t mean this as a cop out answer: but it just takes time. Just keep playing! It’ll take weeks, but not years. Before you know it, you’ll have trouble going back.

 

[themickster]

Hello,
I have been playing a 4-string for quite some time now, and after trying many 5-string basses at the local Guitar Center, I really don't like the feel of 5-strings. I want to play a 5-string bass for classical arrangements, but I just hate the feeling of that one extremely thick string against my fingers after I pluck the E string. Thoughts?

All you can do is keep playing it. That odd feeling will fade.

 

[ashtray]

You get used to it. I just play it like a 4 string and pretend the low B is like a thumb rest - then once I am mentally used to skipping that low B string to play it like a 4 string, I can then “unlock” that B string and let my mind adjust to using it. If my muscle memory goes back to 4 string mode, I can go back to “locking out” that low B and continue playing. If that makes sense?

That’s how I did it when I started learning 5 string, and I resort to that when I pick one up after playing 4 for months. I’ll pick up a 5 string, ignore the B, play it as a 4 string to get a feel for the string spacing and wider/flatter neck, then after a minute or two start incorporating the low B in.

 

[the_Ryan]

Apparently they're a thing; I've spotted others on YouTube.

They’re much more common in orchestras in Europe (particularly in Germany and Austria where they are the standard in an orchestra), for some reason extensions took a hold in North America while 5 strings became the norm in Europe.

 

[micguy]

When you first started playing a 4 string was it awkward, or second nature? Same principle, but the learning curve, assuming you're decent on a 4, will go quicker. You know where 80 percent of the notes are already, you just need to add the rest, and get used to the fact that you now have a middle string. You will "reharmonize" a few things, but it isn't all that scary once you're into it for a while.

 

[groovepump]

I found the hi C was more relevant than low B for playing solo stuff like Back cello suites on 5-string bass guitar - back when I was into that sort of thing.
If you really need the lower register for what you are doing, there probably won't be much way around having that thick string.
I suppose one could develop an EADG 4-string with a C extension like they do with double basses for the symphony. (Kubicki does a D extension on a 32" but no one has gone farther that I am aware of. Might make for a super badass low C but would also add a lot of length.)
I just roll with the thick low B for both instrument families.
View attachment 5239396
... and rock an old-school 4 when the range isn't needed and I want to feel a little less restricted.

I like the 5 string DB.

 

[groovepump]

I don’t mean this as a cop out answer: but it just takes time. Just keep playing! It’ll take weeks, but not years. Before you know it, you’ll have trouble going back.

And DON'T TOUCH A 4-STRING WHILE YOU LEARN THE 5 STRING.
Forget you have a 4-string for a while. As above in the quote, once you get into the 5er, you won't want to go back to the 4. Just stay with it.
I sometimes want to go back to my 4 string jazz because the one I have is so nicely set-up. But when I start playing it now, I feel like something is missing. I NEED that B string, not for the 5 added notes, but for the way I construct the patterns I take in a bass line. "Across the neck" rather than up and down changes everything.

 

[Steve Slate]

Just play it. You will become accustomed to it in a short time.

Best answer yet!! When I bought my 1st (and only 5) I played it exclusively and never looked back!!

 

[Brich]

Honestly man you answered your question. Regaurdless of string gauge, you gotta play it a lot. Find reason to play it, transpose, play tunes that use it.

 

[Baker69]

It’s a bit strange at first but as others have said you soon get used to it.

I’ve played my 5’ers continuously for some months now and I find going back to a 4 string a bit strange. These days I make sure the backup bass I take to gigs is also a 5 string.

I don’t particularly like .130 B strings, I use .125 max which doesn’t feel too bad.