I learned on a 5-string bass, so it took me as long to get used to 5-string basses as it did to get used to playing bass in general.
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How long did it take you to get used to a 5-string?
- Thread starter Nate Plays Bass
- Start date
My first rehearsal after buying a 5 string (2003 Spector Korean Q5) was disaster time. I was playing tunes I had played hundreds of times previously, but now had an extra string. Wrong notes all over the place. It took about a month to learn how to use it decently enough to get by. Treating it like a completely new instrument and re-learning scales, arpeggios, and exercises taught me how to play it all over. I found a sixer difficult, and also took about a month to get used to, particularly the extra string on top. What I thought was a "C" would be an "F", etc.
I have also found that it depends on the differences in construction - my Pedulla Thunderbass (with 19mm spacing at the bridge) and a very flat radius is more difficult to get used to than my G&L L2500. Using the Pedulla for practicing (Scales, arpeggios, intervals, etc.) makes the G&L much easier to use.
I have also found that it depends on the differences in construction - my Pedulla Thunderbass (with 19mm spacing at the bridge) and a very flat radius is more difficult to get used to than my G&L L2500. Using the Pedulla for practicing (Scales, arpeggios, intervals, etc.) makes the G&L much easier to use.
Interesting thread. Do most of you guys play with a pick? I am thinking about transitioning to 5ers, but one deterrent has been that it seems harder to get if you play with a pick rather than fingers. I play about 70% of the time fingerstyle, and 30% pick. A long way away from slapping. Other deterrent fwiw is ease of finding and trying out lefty 5ers.
My first 5 string didn't last long. I played it some then sold it because I didn't think I really needed it....then awhile after buying it I got the urge again. Went and bought a Squier Deluxe. Amazingly I had a brilliant idea....since the biggest hindrance to me seemed to be the visual effect of having the extra string on the top, so I put a 4 string set of DR Black Beauties on and left the B string the regular nickel roundwound and left it that way for a couple weeks while I was waiting for DR to send me a Black B string. Didn't take long to get used to it like this(and it looked nice with one silver string). Now I switch back and forth between 4 and 5 strings with no issues.
I've been playing 5's for 25 years. originaly got into in the 80's when I was playing in a lot of wave bands and had to double up on synth parts. Took me very little time to figure it out. Now it's second nature to me and have not owned a 4 since 1989. The occasional time where I pick up a 4 is my "wait stop and think" moment. I have always played with a pick too. since Chris Squire was my inspiration to take up bass when I first heard "Roundabout"on the radio in1972.
About 2 minutes, but it took 3 years to find that one particular 5 string bass that took 2 minutes to get used to.
Mine sits in the case. I have to learn to mute the B string or it I make it ring too much. The Ibanez has a thinner neck so it helps get around on it faster
I bought (and later sold) 3 different 5-strings; I just couldn't get the hang of playing one. Then my wife and daughters talked me into buying a sweet Roscoe 6-string. It took me a few weeks, -maybe a month to get the hang of playing it. About a year later I bought another 5-string and I had no problems playing it whatsoever. Now a 4-string feels like a toy, and I miss not having the added low notes.
To the OP: Stick with it. With practice, you'll get the hang of it.
To the OP: Stick with it. With practice, you'll get the hang of it.
I'd say several months if not a year, just played it like a 4 until I caught the hang of the B string being there then started working it in my playing. My technique totally transforms from 5 to 4, yes, I'm playing 5's more these days, they're just easier to transpose on, deeper tone, etc... and my last band, I pretty much needed it 70 - 90% of the time...
To expand on what Georgestrings said with regard to more modern and alternate tuned music, there is also "old school". If you take some classic motown or whatever and listen to the bass line, it's pretty much perfect as it is and if you tried to "expand" it with the extra range of a 5er you'd tend to ruin it.
Since I also play drums let me draw an analogy here. If you take a classic rock tune played on a classic 4 or 5 piece drum kit, and then try to play the same piece on some huge 50 or whatever piece "Dream Theater" type monster kit it doesn't work. EVEN if you restrict yourself to just the classic drums and don't play the rest, the look, the feel, the vibe, is all wrong and even worse the rest of the kit tends to vibrate sympathetically with the others changing the tone. Same deal goes trying to do classic "old school" on a 5 or 6 string bass. Possible, but just not "best". If you want to sing authentic Elizabethan songs you'd best play them on a lute and not a Strat!
It is interesting that when drummers get a creative "block" one cure is to cut the kit back to just a couple of drums (snare, bass, hat) to pull out new ideas. Similarly a 6 string player can renew creativity by cutting back to a 4 string for a bit.
It's the very limitation and the ways people have developed to get around those limitations that make the 4 work so well on some things. And those limitations are the very thing that ALSO drive you nuts when the music is calling for a 5 or 6 string bass!
So in the end it's about the music. If you are playing 4 string music then a 4 string bass is best. If you are playing music that changes keys all over the place, a 5er may make the most sense and if you suddenly need to solo in the stratosphere or play chords up against the guitar(s), a 6 may be an answer. But in the end it's your choice as to what you think is best and what you can make work.
This is a fascinating thread.
I play in a church band where the look of the bass isn't important (okay, maybe some B.C. Rich models would look out of place!) and achieving a particular classic sound isn't important, so I think a 5 is an option. On the other hand, we don't play much where the extra low notes are needed (although they could be used). So it'd be a straight shoot out between the flexibility of a 5 and the playability of a 4. I've got some fun testing to do before I get down to buying.
I play in a church band where the look of the bass isn't important (okay, maybe some B.C. Rich models would look out of place!) and achieving a particular classic sound isn't important, so I think a 5 is an option. On the other hand, we don't play much where the extra low notes are needed (although they could be used). So it'd be a straight shoot out between the flexibility of a 5 and the playability of a 4. I've got some fun testing to do before I get down to buying.
I started on upright bass, then 4 string fretless electric, then 4 string fretted, then 5 string. I have been playing 5 string for over 15 years and it is still not home for me. I went from a 35" scale to a 34" scale and that is helping me a lot, but I guess I am just a 4 string guy at heart even though I love the sound and having the bottom of that B string!
I play my 5-string with a pick occasionally (mainly for metal, so that's some serious pick-shredding
). And i feel no difference in pick-playing in comparison with the 4-string.It doesn't matter if you play with fingers or pick: in both cases you will need to pay some attention to muting technique while going from four- to five-stringer.
If your pick playing is "pick-all-over-the-strings-pete-wentz-style", i can see the problem
Otherwise, you will need just a little practice to adjust to 5-string pick playing.
It was a two part learning experience for me.
I only started playing 5 string because the band I was joining required it to play some of the tunes properly.
So,I took a month and learned all of the bands orignal tunes on the 5'er,got it down and felt very comfortable.
Then I took the 5`er out on some of the blues jams I play in the house band for.
UGH! I kept playing the B string when I was supposed to play an E and generally screwing up.
Took another couple of weeks to get it fully together.
I only started playing 5 string because the band I was joining required it to play some of the tunes properly.
So,I took a month and learned all of the bands orignal tunes on the 5'er,got it down and felt very comfortable.
Then I took the 5`er out on some of the blues jams I play in the house band for.
UGH! I kept playing the B string when I was supposed to play an E and generally screwing up.
Took another couple of weeks to get it fully together.
My first bass was a five string. I owned nothing but five strings until I picked up a jazz bass. The reason I wanted a 4 string was to work on slapping (wider string spacing and less muting required). Turns out I'm a very BAD slapper, but I kept the 4 banger around and added another one. I switch between 4 and 5 strings and never miss a beat.
When playing the 4 string, I find myself playing in "first position" quite a bit more than on the 5 string where I can play around the fifth fret and have the B string available versus playing an open E. The frets are closer together at that location and the tighter string spacing make it easier for me to play quickly without missing a note. I'm not a big fan of open strings. I simply don't like how they sound when compared to a GOOD B string. Both my five string basses have excellent B strings.
When I play out, I ALWAYS grab one of my fivers. I've never played a 4 string outside of my house or a lesson. I am more comfortable on my 5 strings and feel like I have more options available to me.
To me, playing a four string is like living in a one room studio apartment versus a penthouse suite. I feel very restricted on a 4, even though there aren't that many more notes at my disposal on a 5. It's simply a mental thing for me because I started on a 5 and it's what I know best.
When playing the 4 string, I find myself playing in "first position" quite a bit more than on the 5 string where I can play around the fifth fret and have the B string available versus playing an open E. The frets are closer together at that location and the tighter string spacing make it easier for me to play quickly without missing a note. I'm not a big fan of open strings. I simply don't like how they sound when compared to a GOOD B string. Both my five string basses have excellent B strings.
When I play out, I ALWAYS grab one of my fivers. I've never played a 4 string outside of my house or a lesson. I am more comfortable on my 5 strings and feel like I have more options available to me.
To me, playing a four string is like living in a one room studio apartment versus a penthouse suite. I feel very restricted on a 4, even though there aren't that many more notes at my disposal on a 5. It's simply a mental thing for me because I started on a 5 and it's what I know best.
