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How many 5 string players actually use the B?
- Thread starter EAdanikDG
- Start date
Past the 12th, not very often, but my Conklin fretless 6 still sounds good up to the 17th position.
These threads are always sad because most people still don't understand how to use the low B string. The idea that it's just 5 lower notes usually says a lot about a person's understanding.
+1
There's no point in buying a 5er or a 6er(like what I play 85% of the time) if you're still going to use the same 4 strings imo.
I don't overuse my B. As a matter of fact, I didn't use it at all this weekend. I have been debating this a lot. I like 4's. They play and feel great. I use a 5 because I feel that some music "dictates" that I do. That is if you need/want to play it "as recorded" though. If you don't play it as recorded, is that good or bad? Depends I guess.
This weekend, a 4 string passive J would have been fine. For NYE, a passive P would be great. If I'm covering some new country, or contemporary church, the B is pretty handy and used a lot.
Tough call. Wish I had the answer. I may go and play a few Squiers again today. A Jaguar and/or Jazz for $299 each would give me far more options than the Geddy Lee I used this weekend - for the same price.
This weekend, a 4 string passive J would have been fine. For NYE, a passive P would be great. If I'm covering some new country, or contemporary church, the B is pretty handy and used a lot.
Tough call. Wish I had the answer. I may go and play a few Squiers again today. A Jaguar and/or Jazz for $299 each would give me far more options than the Geddy Lee I used this weekend - for the same price.
I use a 5 strings for almost 8 years now. I also have two 6 strings basses for 4 years.
I use what I have on hand. If I only have 4 strings I wil use 4 strings.
Sometimes it is really useful to reduce hand shifting when you play in higher position or to keep a patern.
And to me it makes more sense to have more low notes on the staff. Like a guitar goes very low below the staff but bass only go two notes below ??? So this is why a like extended range basses.
I use what I have on hand. If I only have 4 strings I wil use 4 strings.
Sometimes it is really useful to reduce hand shifting when you play in higher position or to keep a patern.
And to me it makes more sense to have more low notes on the staff. Like a guitar goes very low below the staff but bass only go two notes below ??? So this is why a like extended range basses.
Not the B so much, but I use the C and D on songs where they fit in. For example, the D pounds ou awesomely on "The Wall:" D, D A C low D. Sounds thunderous.
...as does the idea that notes on the B string above the 5th fret are sonically interchangeable with the identically-pitched notes on other strings.
I use my Low B string all the time... Now if you ask how many times I use the note Low B, then that would be different, but I am always on that string. Since I learned very early on to stay away from open notes, the low B gives me the options to fret the low E, but more importantly, I use the D most of all below the 5th fret.
i use the low B loads, especially to make choruses and breakdowns sound bigger and boomier. really has an effect.
Constantly. One group I play with uses horns, and we play a lot (mean LOT) of songs in either Bb or in Eb. Either way, using the B makes it a snap.
And, I find myself using the 5th fret E instead of the open E. I hardly ever use open strings anymore.
And, I find myself using the 5th fret E instead of the open E. I hardly ever use open strings anymore.
I hate when people say a 5 string only really has a few extran notes. That is true but they are missing the point of the 5 string. It is so you can play positional scales and modes without resorting to open strings or god forbid rethinking your E string when you hit that D-Tuner you installed.
I think a big part of that might be Youtube Solo Syndrome. For some reason a lot of people record their unaccompanied bass in a way that's pretty close to somebody shredding on a guitar. If you took the same players and put them into a band they may sound different.
I saw a couple of responses where people answered that they never learned any songs that went that low. Come on there's more to playing than memorizing other peoples lines. Sure playing covers is bread and butter for many but what about improvising and making your own lines? The extra string is a major creative bonus. I find it much easier to be creative if I'm not shifting around all over the neck looking for notes or another octave when they are easily withing reach.
I stepped halfway on the 5ver bandwagon a couple of months ago. I just happened on some really good deals and bought 2. I re-learned all of my bands songs, and it actually help me correct a mistake I was making on one song. I found that it made some of the songs easier to manage, but couple of them harder. Bottom line is that it is easier to play to different keys, and it's nice to have that string for some progressions. I found that I used the 2nd fret - 9th fret the most. I rarely used the open B string. YMMV.
I wound up moving back to 4 string basses, cause I really didn't need the B, and I prefer the feel of the neck on four stringers.
I wound up moving back to 4 string basses, cause I really didn't need the B, and I prefer the feel of the neck on four stringers.
One problem that some 5 string players have is that they use the B when they really shouldn't. I have a friend who is in a very good band and he said they fired their last bass player for this reason. I played a 5 for many years but then figured I could live without it. All a low B does is give you 5 additional lower notes than a 4. Many people feel that the notes on the B does not have enough clarity and is not needed.
