How long to adjust to a 5 string?

[George End]

This happens to most players making the switch. It took me at least a year to be fully comfortable on my 5. During that time I stopped playing my 4 completely. It definitely helped with the transition. One day soon you will pickup the 5 and it will feel familiar. Best of luck

 

[chris_b]

If you want this as badly as you originally wanted to play a 4 string bass you'll work through the "fingers and thumbs" stage.

I spent my first month trying to switch back and forth between my old 4 and new 5. That approach was a disaster. I started feeling uncomfortable on both instruments. So I put the 4 away (nearly 30 years later it's still in the case) and focussed on making the 5 work.

Small hands, muting etc etc are not reasons to stop. They are reasons to change your technique and overcome the differences in these instruments. Lessons from a good tutor can help with this process.

 

[erigod23]

I've recently made the switch to a 5. It definitely takes some practice. For me the 'A' string seems to be the challenge, all tucked in the middle like that.

 

[ZAR14]

I'm still getting used to my 5. I bought it a few months ago, but Honestly, I havn't played it all that much...

 

[caledoneus83]

to put in my 2 cents, I played a 4 string for about 15 years, then made the jump to a 6 string (had wanted one since I started playing and finally bit the bullet and spent the money) and it took me a little bit (few months) to get totally acclimated to it, but now it is second nature. The intervals between strings are the same (unless you do some wacky tuning) so it is just a matter of training your brain to remember that you have that low B there to play with.

 

[biguglyman]

Played a four for well over twenty years. When I made the switch, I did the total immersion thing. Locked up the four and forced myself to play just the five. Practiced almost daily. Took about three months to start getting "automatic" with it...you know, not having to think about what I was playing. Twenty years after that, I start screwing around with fours again. A little easier but still freaked me out a little. Been practicing both now and getting better at switching out. Go-to bass is still a fiver though. Ain't bass fun?

 

[Drucifer]

I bought my first 5-string around 2000, a brand-new G&L L2500. I adjusted very quickly but was frustrated that I continued to make occasional mistakes, almost always related to grabbing the wrong string. I went from 0% to 95% immediately, but that last 5% took probably a year of regular playing to eliminate. Now I go back and forth without any issues.

 

[laklandplayer]

I made the mistake of taking my first 5 (G&L L5000) to a gig the day I got it. I started playing and could not find my ass with both hands, I took the Low B string off after the first set and finished the night as a 4. It took me about a week to get comfortable with my 5 after Dave Hungate gave me the following tip: "Use the B string as a thumb rest and play the bass like a 4 string. As you get used to the feel, gradually incorporate the B string into your playing as needed" This works and teaches you judicious and tasteful use of the B string. I have no problems adjusting when I go back and play my 4 string upright or my P bass. Practice by reading music written for the low B, this helps too and takes your eyes off of the instrument.

 

[Bassheart365]

The older the habit, the slower it takes to die. I played 4 string exclusively for over 30 years before I switched to a 5 three years ago. Sure I could play tunes pretty soon, bur to become truly proficient, at least two years of regular practice and gigging. Now I have difficulty playing 4 sting!

 

[Logic_11]

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?

If you've been playing a 4 since the 60's you'll probably never play the same way on a 5. I have a 4, 5, 6, and 8 string and i play each of them differently. It's almost like they were all made for different things although I can play similar things on each of them.

I have never memorized the notes on the B string in my 8 years of playing lol. I just know what note i'm playing because i know the note that is an octave above on the A string.
So basically i know all the notes relative to another note lol whether its on the E string or A string
Good luck!

 

[nilorius]

I can't understand what is your problem with that B string, it is adjusted as the others and there is no control problem with it. It is played as the otheres.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I play both. And play them both live. I've never had an issue switching. I think you're overthinking it.

 

[spufman]

It took me a while to sorta get used to my 5er (a Guild Pilot) after playing a 4 for decades. My issues were like you (OP) describe. I played that bass for maybe a couple years, then came to the conclusion that those few extra notes weren’t worth it for me. My style goes up and down the neck, so the ‘across the strings’ benefit wasn’t too compelling.

Now my main bass is a comfortable 4 with D-tuner and I love it.

 

[Wisebass]

I think bilingual individuals already have the brain plasticity that it takes to switch back and forth between mental modes.

What? Wie bitte? Quoi?

I have to get a a 9 string!!!!

greetings, mfg, (forget about the french version, it fills half a page )

Wise

 

[mrcbass]

It came pretty easy for me. Of course I got a 5 string about 2 months after I started playing bass so, I wasn't too engrained. I found it difficult moving back and forth for a while (is that an A or an E on the top string?) and am just now (2+ years later, getting comfortable reading on the fiver.

I'm now exclusively 5 string, but am looking at getting a 6....

 

[Warfender]

string spacing is a big one too. I tried 17.5 I think it is with first 5er and couldn't do it. Switched to an 19mm (standard 4 string spacing) and it was much better.

 

[Nashrakh]

I got a six string two weeks ago and I felt right at home - it helped that my four strings are tuned BEAD, so I "only" have to deal with two more strings on top. The biggest offender must be the string spacing though, switching from 19 to 17 was quite the step.

Now, anytime I pick up a four, I think to myself how uncluttered and easy to navigate they are. And how pencil thin the necks are, even on a P. You get a new perspective on things.

 

[Bobb Nagel]

I too have been playing since the 60’s. I bought my first 5 in the 90’s and struggled with it for a while. I agree with those who have said put your 4-string away. Leland Sklar said just that in an interview not long after I started using the 5, and after heeding his advice, I got comfortable with it fairly quickly. It was many years before I used a 4 again, but now I’m able to switch back and forth with little concern over it. Stick with it, you’ll soon learn to love it. Best of luck to you.

 

[Kragnorak]

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?

If you've already put upwards of 50 hours in, I'd guess that the main issue is one of mental flexibility. The best way to keep agile is to try new things all the time - new food, new books, new musical instruments, new computer and board games (seriously, some of the newer strategy games make chess look like Tic-Tac-Toe).

The other aspect that helps is attitude. It is obviously frustrating that you consider yourself a seasoned bass player and yet you've got this darn new-fangled string that is making you feel like you've regressed. But having a child-like (not childish) approach to music is an advantage for a musician because you want to communicate that sense of wonder.

My personal example: I have bought a cello, but while I'm making payments on it I can't afford lessons. Therefore it's rather frustrating because I'm not sure if I'm holding it correctly and important details like that. The tuning is completely different than bass/guitar which are tuned mostly in 4ths, so the usual fingering patterns just don't work. The bad: It will take forever/never until I'm as comfy on cello as on electric bass. The good: the usual fingering patterns just don't work so I can be sure that I'm playing what is in my imagination. Also, on the occasions that I played chamber music or an acoustic rock gig with it, it was a fun challenge instead of the same ol' same ol' - working to keep up with musicians that are not struggling is one of the best ways to improve!

 

[MonetBass]

It took me about a week to get comfortable with my 5 after Dave Hungate gave me the following tip: "Use the B string as a thumb rest and play the bass like a 4 string. As you get used to the feel, gradually incorporate the B string into your playing as needed" This works and teaches you judicious and tasteful use of the B string.

This is the best advice IMO, and how my brain adjusted to a 5-string. I don't own one, but I played on one in the music store one day out of curiosity. I adjusted to it quickly (within minutes), but it made me realize I prefer 4 strings.

You should know every note on the fretboard so that you don't overthink it. Once you get to that point, it should be smooth sailing.