My band has been together for many years sence I joined as the newest member about 8 months ago. Everything was going good so I thought untill a couple of months ago. I play 5 string bass with standard tuning while they play drop d. I know its a little harder for me to stay standard but its what I'm use to. The problem I'm having is they either want me to play 4 string that is.dropped like them or tune my e to a d. I honestly don't want to go out of standard tuning on a 5 string because its what I'm use to. The band's arguments (lead singer) are that I would be able to learn faster and if I'm ever lost I can just look at their hands and get right back into it. Idk... It just gets me mad everytime. What do you think I should do. Throw out all my comfortablility of playing standard 5 string or just stop crying, shut up and be a robot that followes the guitars? I know it may take a little longer to learn staying on a 5 standard because of the whole tuning barrier but don't we all have to be our selves out there. I feel naked without my 5 string.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I am a 5 string.player and.my band wants me play a 4 string...
- Thread starter mobbmxer
- Start date
Sometimes compromise is good if the band is a good vibe for you.
I have played my 5 string with drop tuning guitars.
I play along without drop tuning because the tension feels better for me.
Good Luck
I have played my 5 string with drop tuning guitars.
I play along without drop tuning because the tension feels better for me.
Good Luck
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
Why not detune your fiver? Instant compromise on all fronts. I did that a while back, and it worked well.
Agreed here. If it's good enough for Dave Edwardson (Neurosis), then it's good enough!! He tunes a double drop (A-D-A-D-G).
My thoughts: If it is riff oriented songs that they’re playing in drop-D, I would think it WOULD be easier to play if you were in the same tuning as the guitar players. And there is definitely a different TONALITY to an E string detuned to a D that isn’t there on a fretted D. But, in the end they are both D notes. :^)
I have normal and drop-D tuned 4-strings, a standard tuned 5-string that has done me very well over the years, and a few 4-strings set up BEAD and a few odd ball tunings, all of which get used for certain gigs and certain songs with certain bands. There is definitely no “right” or “wrong” way to play a song, but I’d make the argument that there are definitely easier and harder ways to play the same song.
I have normal and drop-D tuned 4-strings, a standard tuned 5-string that has done me very well over the years, and a few 4-strings set up BEAD and a few odd ball tunings, all of which get used for certain gigs and certain songs with certain bands. There is definitely no “right” or “wrong” way to play a song, but I’d make the argument that there are definitely easier and harder ways to play the same song.
If you feel good playing in standard tuning, don't change if there is no better reason than that... IMO
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I really hate playing in bands with small minded fools ... Play the 5 and tell them to put up and shut up.
I pretty much consider myself a 5 string player. I like the neck width, I like the range of it and the more or bigger options for chords, etc... I used to play in a band that the guitars were in drop D, and I kept my 5 string in standard. This isn't really difficult to do, it takes some technique and getting used to, but you just gotta get used to being planted on that 3rd fret of the B string and skip a string or two to play the guitar parts. As long as your playing the write notes then there really shouldn't be a problem with it. I also found that my low D on the 3rd fret of my B string sounded way thicker fuller than the open low D on my 4 string tuned DADG. I too am just very used to it, and I think my early years of playing jazz in highschool and how I like to play, I don't particularly like playing in "drop tunings" where just the low string is tuned a fullstep lower.
If it's taking you longer to learn their parts/songs, then I can understand their argument, in which case you either got to compromise somehow OR get better/faster/more fluent on that 3rd fret low D. You kinda have to prove to them that you can play anything that they can play with your preferred/comfortable set up. knowmsayin.
If it's taking you longer to learn their parts/songs, then I can understand their argument, in which case you either got to compromise somehow OR get better/faster/more fluent on that 3rd fret low D. You kinda have to prove to them that you can play anything that they can play with your preferred/comfortable set up. knowmsayin.
If you can play the material and it sounds good it really shouldn't matter, IMO.
You do mention their concern with you "learning faster" and being "lost." Is there some need to spend more time practicing/learning the material so perhaps they won't feel this concern?
You do mention their concern with you "learning faster" and being "lost." Is there some need to spend more time practicing/learning the material so perhaps they won't feel this concern?
Just tune BDADG. I do it quite a bit in my band as some songs just sound better and are easier to play open D. Keep that 5 string though. When they throw in a B,C or C#, you can drop a low note on them and rattle everything.
Are you flubbing up? Do you get lost during songs? Does it take you a long time to learn material? Are the parts written such that you have trouble playing in standard?
If any of the above are answered yes, then consider downtuning the 5. If all the answers are no, then tell them where they can stick it.
It's hard for us to give you an answer that relates to your personal code. Where to stand your ground and where to compromise come from you. If you love the project and want to see it succeed, you may have to make some compromises. If you are a free agent in this band, you may be able to leverage your style in, or you may be dismissed for not following orders.
In my experience, I learned to play everything in standard, where I was comfortable. The band still wanted me to downtune. When I started writing guitar "solos" for the lead player, I found out that the downtuning issue was really more of an image issue, and he had a sensitive spot relating to being the sun, moon and stars for the band. When he could not take criticism and started trying to tell me what to wear to shows or I'd be fired, That a bass player couldn't understand how to write a solo, that not learning to play in Drop whatever made me a punk b****, I quit and took my PA with me. I've been happier ever since.
$.02
If any of the above are answered yes, then consider downtuning the 5. If all the answers are no, then tell them where they can stick it.
It's hard for us to give you an answer that relates to your personal code. Where to stand your ground and where to compromise come from you. If you love the project and want to see it succeed, you may have to make some compromises. If you are a free agent in this band, you may be able to leverage your style in, or you may be dismissed for not following orders.
In my experience, I learned to play everything in standard, where I was comfortable. The band still wanted me to downtune. When I started writing guitar "solos" for the lead player, I found out that the downtuning issue was really more of an image issue, and he had a sensitive spot relating to being the sun, moon and stars for the band. When he could not take criticism and started trying to tell me what to wear to shows or I'd be fired, That a bass player couldn't understand how to write a solo, that not learning to play in Drop whatever made me a punk b****, I quit and took my PA with me. I've been happier ever since.
$.02
Sometimes a drop D is useful. I haven't heard your band, but if you play many riffs that usually employ a open string D alternating with others... you can do it on your 5er without detuning, but it doesn't sound the same.
Same notes, yes, but different attack, sustain, etc... maybe that's what they are wanting to get, and it would totally make sense.
The question is: do you get the sound the band wants?
Same notes, yes, but different attack, sustain, etc... maybe that's what they are wanting to get, and it would totally make sense.
The question is: do you get the sound the band wants?
My goal and mindset is to not use any open notes ever. I play a 5'er because I wanted that D. Every once in a while I will use the Low C and almost never the Low B. However, up the neck that 5th string is useful and handy. I know I'm not saying anything we don't all already know, but the band should let you play your instrument. PERIOD
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Well, I am going to guess a guitarist who plays mainly in drop D plays mainly in the key of D and most of his riffs are based around the open D. It would be cumbersome to not play them with an open D I would imagine.
Do you have a hard time keeping up because it sounds like you do, otherwise they wouldn't notice you struggling based on tuning. If they cannot notice, why does it matter?
I constantly forget to tune my E to D or vice versa, seeing as I only have to transpose 1 string 1 step, it is extremely easy for me to get by without changing tuning, my bandmates never notice until I tell them I have to tune up after the song.
I also do not see why you would have to get a 4 string, just tune the E to D and be done with it if you require the open string to riff on.
Are you learning your fretboard based on notes or shapes and patterns? One string moving one step shouldn't be too much to toss a wrench in your spokes personally, even if you are a shapes and patterns player.
Do you have a hard time keeping up because it sounds like you do, otherwise they wouldn't notice you struggling based on tuning. If they cannot notice, why does it matter?
I constantly forget to tune my E to D or vice versa, seeing as I only have to transpose 1 string 1 step, it is extremely easy for me to get by without changing tuning, my bandmates never notice until I tell them I have to tune up after the song.
I also do not see why you would have to get a 4 string, just tune the E to D and be done with it if you require the open string to riff on.
Are you learning your fretboard based on notes or shapes and patterns? One string moving one step shouldn't be too much to toss a wrench in your spokes personally, even if you are a shapes and patterns player.
You could stand your ground. Some bassists would. Perfectly legit to want to do that. But there are some bands that will find someone else if you don't do it. So the thing you have to decide is if this band is a bunch of jerkoffs whom you don't mind quitting over or if they're a band that's really good and has potential to go places and make money and you don't want to miss out. If it's the former, then whatever. If it's the latter, then you can either switch to 4 or you can wait to get canned, or you can maybe convince them that you're worth keeping despite using a 5.
That's a decision only you can make, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that righteous indignation doesn't get you a paycheck, and the less uptight you are about stuff like that, the better.
That's a decision only you can make, but if there's one thing I've learned, it's that righteous indignation doesn't get you a paycheck, and the less uptight you are about stuff like that, the better.
