How long to adjust to a 5 string?

[Clef_de_fa]

Well It must be hard when you try to learn something new when you've been playing the same way and probably on the same bass for 40 years ...

In my case I took the 5 strings (and I think it took me like a month ) after 2 years of learning bass on a 4 strings. 8 years later I got my first 6 strings and it was like 2 or 3 weeks to get it. Because before I got the 5 or the 6 I already knew what notes would be where ... so it was quite fast.

It took more time with the five because I had to change my muting technic to do it. Only a beneficial move.

 

[40Hz]

Like yourself I’m an old rocker. But I didn’t find the transition very challenging. Possibly because I know the fretboard on a 4-string very well so it wasn’t difficult just adding the extra string into my fingering patterns. Possibly because I usually think in terms of intervals (e.g. 4th, 5th, etc.), chord progressions (ex: ii-I-V6-bVII), and keys rather than specific notes most times. I’m kinda mathematical in my musical thinking. As in I think numbers rather than note letters.

One thing I would suggest however is to practice with it while standing if that’s how you gig. I ran into the same issue with my right hand, where I’d sometimes find myself hitting a string different than the one I thought I was going for. But that’s because I was mostly practicing my new fiver while sitting at first.

Hardest thing for me to get used to was the narrower string spacing. But it was just a matter of getting better acclimated.

So hang in there. It’ll all work out if you give it time.

Luck!

 

[CameronJohnson]

To add to my earlier post, my first 5 string was actually tuned E-C. That may have softened the blow a little as my lowest note was still an E. Transitioning to a 5er tuned B-G was the. Little hassle. Weirdly, having owned both, I still to this day find 6 strings incredibly disorienting. But then I’ve never owned one so I’ve never been able to spend real quality time with one. I’m sure I’d manage given time.

On another note, I play mostly by ear and visualise patterns on the fretboard relative to wherever I currently am, so I guess my brain had much less of a “theory block” when transitioning to 5ers.

 

[Afc70]

Having played only 4’s since a teenager in the 80’s, i bought my first 5, a Modulus Quantum in 2014. Practiced about 3 hrs a day for a week & it felt like home. Been playing 5’s ever since.. i used the low G on my E string as “homebase” until I integrated the B string into my playing.

 

[Spidey2112]

Anything in life that's rewarding takes time to accomplish. You simply have to have the mental drive to do it.

Yep... I know this may sound counter to the quote above, but you may be over thinking it, too.

I treated learning a 5 by dividing up the B string into 2 parts... the notes below and including the 5th fret (E), and those above the 5th fret (which would be the same as your E string, 1st fret and up)...

... at first, I only integrated the notes lower than the E (B string, 5th fret and below) into our songs... when comfortable with those, I worked my way up the fretboard...

... it's an ongoing process, but I'm more comfortable with it now, than when I started, that's for sure.

Good luck!

 

[Watchootognbout]

The more you play it,the quicker you will get used to it.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

The time you spend adjusting to a 4-stringer divided by 4, plus the time you spend adjusting to a 4- stringer.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Been playing a 4 since the late 60's and now this new band I joined does 7-8 songs that would not cut it with a 4.

I've been learning a ton of tunes in the last three weeks, while at the same time trying to adjust to a 5.
I seem to be lost. when I look down at the fretboard, the notes do not register in my head.
The other day I was making notes for a few tunes. At one time I took my hand and covered up the B to my eye so my brain would lock on.

I've done 2 live shows so far with the 5. I've gotten embarrasiingly lost a few times. I have to stay on a strict track, it seems. I cannot take any chances in wandering around the fingerboard, fearing I'll get lost.
I'm also having trouble with left hand-right hand coordination, which means that sometimes I do not pluck the correct string. Othertimes, it's the other way around...I'll pluck the correct string but my fretting hand will be on the wrong string.

I bought a 5'er with 19mm string spacing, thinking it would be an easier transition from my PBass.

I'd guess I have 50-100 hours on the 5.

For those of you who have made the switch, how long did it take you to get comfortable, and
do you have any tips for an old rocker like me?

I have the gift of tenacity, but if the answer is simply "You have to keep doing it until it comes to you", I don't know if I have the time.
I'm wondering if it's worth it (literally.....how long will I be out there playing live?).
Is it worth the effort for a few more years of live playing?

Well, we’re in the same age band and I bought my first 5 banger a year and a half ago. One thing I did was increase the space between the B & E string which made it harder to miss the E string. Mentally you need to think of it as a 4 string , that has an extended range.

I’ve talked to a boatload of 5ers that play low E on the B string on the 5th fret and locate off of it.

Well, give it time, make sure you are doing scales covering all 5 strings up to the 4th fret on each string, and after awhile, it will click.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I was in the same situation since I played about 30yrs before playing a 5. What worked for me:
I play a lot with my thumb resting on the E and move it to the B when I use the E string.
I tried to stick only to the 5 string for about 3 month without switching back and forth (I can easily do it now)
I made sure I got comfortable playing more in the middle of the neck some of those tunes in G or A
Practice practice practice

 

[Wulfensteiner]

The time you spend adjusting to a 4-stringer divided by 4, plus the time you spend adjusting to a 4- stringer.

this got my funny bone..

 

[Kmonk]

When I started using a 5 string, I found that it helped to basically forget about the low B string until I actually needed to play notes on it. I used it as an anchor for my thumb so I would avoid trying to play notes on it that I would normally play on the E string. Now I can easily switch between a 4 and 5 string.

 

[Wfrance3]

Just start using the b string. Do little stuff like grabbing the f# next the B (7th fr of the E). Make that your go to f# whenever possible. E is on the 5th fret. Work that into your playing next.

A few notes here a few notes there, b4 you know it, you’ll have it.

 

[trevcda]

When I started using a 5 string, I found that it helped to basically forget about the low B string until I actually needed to play notes on it. I used it as an anchor for my thumb so I would avoid trying to play notes on it that I would normally play on the E string. Now I can easily switch between a 4 and 5 string.

I was kind of the opposite; I over played the ever loving poopie out of that B string. Any time I played anything from a D to a B on the A string, I'd bump the octave below on the B string. Could be a quick burb on the V to get to the I, it could be a choice hold out the note an octave lower. At the time it was not only new to me, but new to the band and new to the audience, so nobody minded. What it did for me is cement exactly what was going on down there and how I could use it. As I got comfortable and knew what I could do on that string, I got more tasteful with that "tool", and less like a teen-aged boy figuring why his arms are the length they are, for the first time. Overuse of the B string, rather than ignoring it, taught me how to use it with out thinking about. It took about a month or so to get there.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I guess it's just a matter of spending enough time with it but I lacked the patience. Got sick of expecting to hear that wonderful low E and getting its fifth instead. Tried pretty diligently for about 2 months and wound up trading it for a 4. The five extra notes just weren't worth it to me.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Played 4 string for 20+ years. Got my first 5 a few years back, and the transition was instant. Much easier than drop D tuning. Not a fan of drop D.

 

[IamGroot]

I move between 4 and 5 a lot.

Suggestion: initially use the B string only as a finger rest. Play the B only for notes Eb and below.
5 notes, not so tough.

 

[Wulfensteiner]

Played 4 string for 20+ years. Got my first 5 a few years back, and the transition was instant. Much easier than drop D tuning. Not a fan of drop D.

I feel the same about dropped tuning. To me, it just doesn't cut it. It feels all wrong dynamically

 

[Ric5]

Been playing a 4 since the late 60's and now this new band I joined does 7-8 songs that would not cut it with a 4.

I've been learning a ton of tunes in the last three weeks, while at the same time trying to adjust to a 5.
I seem to be lost. when I look down at the fretboard, the notes do not register in my head.
The other day I was making notes for a few tunes. At one time I took my hand and covered up the B to my eye so my brain would lock on.

I've done 2 live shows so far with the 5. I've gotten embarrasiingly lost a few times. I have to stay on a strict track, it seems. I cannot take any chances in wandering around the fingerboard, fearing I'll get lost.
I'm also having trouble with left hand-right hand coordination, which means that sometimes I do not pluck the correct string. Othertimes, it's the other way around...I'll pluck the correct string but my fretting hand will be on the wrong string.

I bought a 5'er with 19mm string spacing, thinking it would be an easier transition from my PBass.

I'd guess I have 50-100 hours on the 5.

For those of you who have made the switch, how long did it take you to get comfortable, and
do you have any tips for an old rocker like me?

I have the gift of tenacity, but if the answer is simply "You have to keep doing it until it comes to you", I don't know if I have the time.
I'm wondering if it's worth it (literally.....how long will I be out there playing live?).
Is it worth the effort for a few more years of live playing?

I had to completely quit playing a 4 for a while …

Then I completely adjusted to playing a 5 … That was 2001/2002

Now the down side is when I play a 4 I go for low notes that aren't there so the 4 seems completely unnatural to me

So I play a 5 all the time and yes there are a few songs I don't need the low notes, but there are also songs I don't need the highest few notes on the G string as well

 

[Marc valero]

You have been on a 4 for a long time. I was playing a 4 for about 8 years before switching to 5 so it wasn't too bad. Mainly make sure you are on the right string when you start a song. At first you have to mainly ignore the B String and get used to playing your 4 string songs and then work in the Stuff on the B string at a pace you are not making too many mistakes or get used to recovering quickly.

 

[MrLenny1]

Bought my first 5 string in 1991.
It took me a year to play it with no clams.
Hang in there.
Now all my basses are 5's.
I play New Country and those tunes use Low B a lot.