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

#41
You have two things to get used to.
A new bass
and
another string.

Use the fat string for a thumb rest until you feel at home on the new bass.
Once you are comfortable then start exploring the B string.
The thing I did that opened my eyes was to play something in E that you have always used the open E string for, play it a couple of times then use the 5th fret E on the B string.
WOW!
Presto chango! You are now playing across instead of up and down the fretboard. :smug:
Once you feel the power, depth and ease of playing you'll love 5 string. :thumbsup:

It can also help some if your 4 string and 5 string use the same string spacing.
 
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#43
There's no free lunch. You can only get used to it by doing it.

First, you have to decide that you want to play a 5 string. Then you have to decide that you like what it offers. The rest will fall into place pretty quickly, but it'll never happen if you don't want it and don't like it.

From the OP, I don't get the sense that you really want to play 5, so it's going to be tough to get used to under those circumstances.
 
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#45
GwennyT said:
. . . . 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?
Click to expand...

You really want to play a 5 string bass? Deal with the differences and and learn to love it.
 
#47
Many years ago to improve my reading skill I used to try to play Bach Fugues along with a pianist friend who practiced them daily. Back then I only had a 4 string bass but wished I could get those really low notes.
These days I play 5 strings. When I first bought a 5 string bass it took me a while to get used to it but now that is all I play. Play it often and be patient. You’ll get used to it.
 
#48
I transitioned to a five in the late 80's and never looked back. But that's me.

If you REALLY don't like it, stick with fours. It's NOT a 'four string with a thumbrest' or similar jibes, it's a different instrument

The fingerboards are going to be wider on a bigger neck. Fives allow you a far easier way to play across the fingerboard with fewer transitions between positions. And the B is a noticeably bigger string which in most string sets is just going to feel 'loose-r' than the other 4. And, you may need more amp+cab to push those very low C's. Your hands will have to learn other ways to mute or anchor your right hand.

Several years ago, I bought a traditional Jazz Bass 4+string, the first four I'd owned in 30-odd years, and it's a different axe than a five.

As most have said, it's strictly the hours put in to become fluent on one. I'd look for one that feels and sounds right for you, and over time try different strings till you find one that suits you best.

If it really is an advantage for playing classical pieces for you and you're willing to take the plunge, go for it.

If not, DON'T.
 
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#49
How do I get used to a 5-string bass?
Same way you get to Broadway…
But seriously, my advice is to just play the bass and ignore the B for a while. Then start sneaking in 5th string notes. Start with F#. It will eventually start feeling more natural and you’ll start grabbing more notes and it will just be another string to you.
 
#51
True, slowly you'll get used to it. Right now your mind is locked on to how the finger follow thru feels. I'm thinking that changing your focus a little might help. So I play (mostly) with the floating thumb muting and after a while I don't really notice which string or how many strings the thumb is laying on. The thumb is just laying against whoever isn't being played. So maybe focus more on how well you can do thumb muting vice the feel of the finger follow-thru. And it is a very nice thumb rest even if you don't use floating thumb techniques.
 
#52
Lighter gauge strings may help but the only way to get used to it is to play it. I bought my first five string on my way to a gig. Stopped in a music store en route, tried it out, asked to rent it and was pretty-much laughed at so I bought it. Only really got to give it a good "try" at sound check after a six-hour drive in the back of a cube van. By the end of the night, I was using the B string in songs. It is in doing that we learn and in doing that we gain experience. Buy an affordable fiver and give it a go.
 
#54
If the main thing throwing you off is touching the B string, meaning using the B as thumbrest isn’t working, then try backwards with the skin just about your thumbnail resting against the b string from between the b and E.
This way when you pluck through the E you’ll hit thumb pad instead of string. You can outer-thumb-bend that B string pretty far outa your way if need be in most positions.

But otherwise it’s just getting used to it.
 
#55
A cautionary tale: I played multiple fives and one six for years after beginning my musical career on fours. I kept saying “eventually this bass will feel as good as the fours I used to play.” I had convinced myself that they did until one day I was jamming with a friend and he showed me his bass. It was a cheap Squier PJ four that I immediately scoffed at as being significantly cheaper than my various extended range offerings. I picked it up and was immediately home. I played better, sounded better, and a light bulb immediately went off. I sold all of my fives and that random six, bought a couple fours and have never looked back.

All of this is not to say that pursuing a five or greater stringed instrument is not a worthy pursuit, or that “getting comfortable on one” is not possible. I think those are viable and worthy pusuits for most people. For some people, like me, it will simply never click, even when tempered against years of effort and attempts. That’s okay as well. Basses are just tools. Use the ones that are most effective at allowing you to convey your musical ideas, and don’t sweat the details beyond that.
 
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#56
Even though I can play a 6 and 5 pretty good , I will always be a 4 string player. Based on what you said you probably need a 5 tuned to E-C. I bring my humble Squire with EMGs to cover gigs. There is something satisfying with E-G played on the B string not just the access to low B to Eb. MY workhorse 4's (fretted and fretless Fender) have all Hipshot D tuners
 
#60
I think what most are saying in this thread is if you want to play 5, then commit to 5 string. I’ve done that for a long time but I’m flipping back to 4s.

The point of the commitment 5 string is to understand if 5 string is really is for you over time. No one can tell you that until you’ve put in the time.
 
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