Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,793
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How do I get used to a 5-string bass?
- Thread starter GwennyT
- Start date
Wouldn't stress about it. I've mostly played 4-strings but did have a nice '97 Fender Jazz Deluxe that I played every day and gigged for several years. Eventually sold it to exclusively play 4-string. Four fits my hands better, feels more natural, and plays much smoother and easier than a five. That all applies to me. Sounds like you might have a similar experience? Wouldn't stress about it! Any bass is good!
^^^This. I had tried a fiver before but didn't connect fully with it, and went back to a four. The
You can dooeeeet!!
Welcome to TalkBass, btw!!
Raz
Get as comfortable of a 5 string that you can and case the 4s. I've read that Ibanez have smaller necks for a 5 string so you may want to look at those. I have a Yamaha and Sterling By Music Man (SBMM) 5 string basses and between the two, the SBMM has a smaller neck.
‘Number one, exactly hours many hours have you been playing a 5 string? In my case after having played 4 string basses exclusively for almost 50 years, I spent 3-4 hours a day for about a month working with my 5 string before I was confident enough to play it in public. For some the process is a lot shorter.
I have no magic solution for you. Look, this is like adopting any new skill. It takes work, dedication, time, and the will to overcome. If you don’t have those things, don’t waste you time being miserable.
But, if you ever get over the “hate” part, do not play the same songs you have been playing on your 4 string as much as possible. Sounds silly, but muscle memory is hard to overcome. So don’t make it harder on yourself.
You just commit to it, set your 4-string aside and play nothing but the 5-string for a while. I started in December on a 5-string after playing 4’s for decades. You’ve just gotta commit.
It’s a lot like learning a new piece that you don’t like, but after spending hours rehearsing it and practicing it by yourself, it becomes one of your favourite songs to play.
Last edited:
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.
we see you flexing those beauties…
You will get used to it sooner than later.
Only problem I had with my first fiver was seeing that extra string(B) and thinking it was E. I didn't look down for the first few gigs, problem went away.
Knew a guy in Houston Symphony years ago with a really old 5er.
Only problem I had with my first fiver was seeing that extra string(B) and thinking it was E. I didn't look down for the first few gigs, problem went away.
Knew a guy in Houston Symphony years ago with a really old 5er.
Last edited:
As has been said, practice and time. I dont even own a 4 string right now; I have two fretted 5s and two fretless 6s and going between them is easy for me (at least, the ones with the same string spacing). I find moving to a narrow spacing more difficult than going back and forth between 5er and 6er.
Start practicing the "C' Scale. You get to go up and down the scale twice on a 5 string. Start on the "B" string on the first tret. "C", and go across the board. Work it.
You will grow to love having the thick low B as a backstop for your E string plucks, it may improve your speed and timing. Utilizing the B as a thumb rest will help drastically with muting while you are getting used to the extra string. The B makes a great thumbrest and backstop, and also if you use the resting thumb to pluck a note on the B you are treated to a massive sounding blooming tone while your other fingers are still poised to play like normal.
After that, you'll venture into a six string... and then fretless... and then............ realize they're all great instruments! I cut my teeth on a fiver really. I got the basic down with a four, but then really dug in on a five. Then transitioned to a six when playing more prog and never looked back. Even if I'm playing a whole gig where I don't touch the 'c' - it doesn't phase me. (one doesn't tell a pianist that they could've gotten away with a 44 or 72 key piano instead of an 88)
When I first got a 5 string, I learned all the songs I could play on a standard tuned 4 string on the new 5. Then I transposed one by one all the alternate tuned songs I knew on a detuned 4 string to the new 5.
After this I was halfway decent on it and it was just practice after that.
Good luck
After this I was halfway decent on it and it was just practice after that.
Good luck
